Adrian motioned Cyrus over and asked him to please take over for the moment as he had much to discuss with Wylie. Cyrus bowed graciously and proceeded to deal with the crowd while Adrian led Wylie outside into the gathering dusk.
Tired from her day and just slightly annoyed, Wylie tried to keep it from her voice when she asked, “What’s got you so chuffed, dearest?”
“Wylie, I have the most glorious news! A professor from America has invited me to be a part of an elite inventor’s symposium. He’s seeking people as potential partners in his North American wide transportation company.
“Everything would be taken care of. He is offering to pay for our boat fare, meal, travel expenses, hotel, everything. It's an incredible opportunity. We are to meet for lunch tomorrow afternoon. Since I’ll be here anyway, I agreed to it. If it works out, you and I, and my invention will travel to America.”
“Adrian, I thought you already had someone interested in your carriage in America?”
“I did, but that’s nothing compared to this. If this goes ahead, my carriage will be part of a fleet of carriages made from my design. I’ll receive worldwide acclaim and a handsome salary. It’s a huge honor.”
Wylie tapped her foot impatiently, unsure of how to answer Adrian. It did sound like a wonderful opportunity. What would it mean for them? Would they have to live in America? Wylie couldn’t imagine leaving the Parish of Dobbinsturn and her beloved Chaos.
What would Adrian do with his estate and all of his servants?
“Wylie, I can literally see the questions fighting to burst out of you. I don’t know all the details yet, but I can tell you this, if we do go to America, it will only be for a short time.”
That quieted her thoughts for the time being, and she truly wanted him to have the best of opportunities.
“It sounds wonderful, Adrian. I can’t wait to hear more.” She didn’t know what it would mean for her Teselym side as Lord Ukridge was still out there doing his thing. She would still have to perform her duties no matter where she was.
“You’re simply magnificent.” Adrian grinned, grabbing her face in his hands and kissing her forehead. “This will be a whole new adventure for us.” A boyish excitement emanated from his eyes, and she couldn’t help smiling broadly in return.
Chapter Four
One month later-Mid July
“Not to worry, Mrs. Turpin, I’ll be back in Lugwallow before you know it.” Wylie hugged the widow tightly and nodded her head at the widow’s grown son. She stepped back and grabbed the woman’s wrinkled hand in hers, dropping a few coins in it. “This is for caring for my home.”
“Oh, Wylie girl. You needn’t do that. I couldn’t see your home go to strangers. I appreciate your generosity but please save your coin.”
“Mrs. Turpin, this is not an act of charity. I consider you my caretaker. It’s important to me that my home should be in the hands of someone I trust. If anything happens, I know it will always be here. I am grateful to you. Please, keep the money, it’s the least I can do.”
The widow Turpin tsked tsked under her breath, but didn’t try to force the coins back into Wylie’s hand.
“We both know that you and Adrian are going to be together forever. There is no doubt in my mind, dear. You’re going to be very happy with him, he’s a good man.”
Wylie smiled big at her comment, still in disbelief that a few short weeks ago, she and Adrian had the wedding only a princess could have dreamed of.
“That he is, Mrs. Turpin, that he is. Anyway, he’s waiting for me. Be well, give my love to all, and I’ll be back before you know it.” She put her house key into the Widow Turpin’s hand, took one last long look at her old Lugwallow house, grabbed her the last of her carpet bags, and headed out to the street where Lord McCollum had a horse-drawn carriage waiting for her.
“Miss Wylie, please let me take that for you.” Lord McCollum’s footmen were dressed very stylishly, and while one of them rushed to her side to assist her into the carriage, the other grabbed her bags and secured them to the luggage rack on the back.
“There you are, ma’am. Lord McCollum has instructed us to take you directly to the ship. It’s a bit of a ride, so please, make yourself comfortable.”
Wylie nodded her understanding, patted her head for her trusty goggles, and crossed her ankles, her heart palpitating with excitement. She was married to the most wonderful man. She was going to ride on a ship. She could hardly believe her luck. Surely nothing else could compare.
###
Once aboard the new ship, Wylie’s excitement compelled her to explore it from one end to the other. The SS Baltic was deemed “the largest, fastest and most luxurious transatlantic steamship of its day.” A fact which had set Adrian into waves of genuine excitement. He talked about it often, and as fascinated as Wylie had been about the purported speed of the luxurious steam ship, she had been far more intrigued by its construction.
The smell of new wood assailed her senses below deck, reminding her of when her father had built their very first and only chest of drawers. That was where the similarities ended for once she entered the lower level and was escorted to her stateroom, she was swept away in a world that she could have only imagined in her wildest dreams.
Lord McCollum's footman, Cyrus Clement, was accompanying them on their trip. Always a faithful servant, he carried her carpet bags and led her to the spacious room that she would be sharing with Adrian. Setting her bags on her double-wide berth, he bowed to her as he left the room. Her eyes were hardly large enough to take it all in as everywhere she looked seemed to present her with details more beautiful than the last.
On one side of the room was a large, royal-blue velvet sofa, its fabric unlike anything she had ever felt in her life. Its dark cherry wood arms were of exquisite craftsmanship. The bed was of satinwood and draped with velvet curtains matching the sofa. Next to the bed hung a velvet bell rope for summoning the steward. Wylie could hardly imagine a situation in which she would call out for a servant. She was already uncomfortable accepting the existence of Lord McCollum’s servants, even though he had made it abundantly clear they were there for her comfort and convenience.
Wylie decided to take advantage of some of the fine clothes her new husband had gifted her and changed into a ruby red dress with layers of lace and satin that hung down to her ankles, its Bertha neckline exposing her shoulders and neck in the most flattering way. However, when she stood in front of the mirror, she only felt shame. She knew she was not of the class the neckline suggested she was, merely a working girl who had been lucky enough to fall in love with a prince.
Part of her wanted to admire the lovely young woman staring back at her in the mirror while the other wondered if she shouldn’t change back and find her way to the kitchen to help earn her keep. Of course, the latter would do nothing for Adrian, so in an effort to be someone he could be proud of, she tucked her goggles in the night stand and hung the clothes that remained in her carpet bag. Slipping her Dracosinum over her neck once more, she prepared to go in search of her husband.
“Where is he, anyway? He should have been here by now.” Wylie took one last glance in the mirror before exiting the stateroom. She followed the richly carpeted hallways to the large central saloon that was radiant with light and laughter. Huge columns covered in etched glass stretched from floor to ceiling lit by skylights high above the bar deck. Stained glass windows provided further illumination of the luxurious surroundings. Walking on the carpet was like walking on pillows, and adding further to the décor were the Italian marble tables and elaborate wing chairs.
Groups of finely dressed ladies and gentlemen laughed and chatted gaily while sipping champagne. It felt as if she was in the company of royalty though she knew most of those present were normal folk like her. Over the tinkle of piano music in the background, Wylie heard a familiar voice.
“Wylie! Wylie!” Lord McCollum, dressed to the nines and radiating extravagance as he always did, smiled broadly at her
from across the room. Wiley rushed toward him, ignoring the musings and conversations of the crowd around her. She simply wished to be by his side as quickly as possible.
“Adrian… You look… dashing.” She could feel the heat of embarrassment seeping into her cheeks. He opened his mouth to respond, but couldn’t seem to find the words to speak.
“Lady McCollum,” He took her hand and pulled her in close, kissing her forehead. “You… you look simply ravishing.”
“What, this old thing?” She teased, pulling at the silk layers of her dress as if to show it off. In spite of her response, and the smile on her face, she felt awkward and out of place. She had never been in the presence of such company before. Besides, Adrian addressing her as Lady McCollum only added to her feeling out place. It all seemed so wrong.
"Wiley, are you quite all right?" Adrian's forehead furrowed in concern.
"Yes, Adrian, I suppose I'm just feeling a bit out of place."
"You'll soon get over that feeling, my dear, you're a natural." He took her hand in his and motioned for a server to come over, to get her a drink. Wiley was not amused, having seen the disastrous effects of free-flowing spirits upon its human consumers so often.
“You do look lovely.” A young male voice chimed in from behind them, and Wylie turned to see Jacob standing behind Adrian.
“Jacob!” Wylie exclaimed in surprise. “You’re here?” She looked at Adrian with a raised eyebrow.
“I asked him to come with us,” said Adrian. “I need a trustworthy hand to assist me in my dealings with the Symposium investors. Jacob has been a great asset in the short time he has been with us as a stable hand.” Wylie nodded agreement, it made perfect sense.
“But who is tending Chaos and the mares?”
“Why Hettie, of course. She's the only one I would trust in my absence to care for those horses the way they need to be cared for, besides you.” He laughed heartily, then turned to face Jacob.
“You clean up well, Jacob.” It was true, Jacob did clean up well. His hair had been freshly oiled and slicked back out of his eyes. His freshly pressed collared shirt and black formal pants made him look like he belonged there, just like anyone else.
Wylie cleared her throat, “Excuse us for a moment, Jacob.” Slipping her arm through the crook of Adrian’s, she led him away from the young man. “My dearest, I trust Jacob with the horses, however, to bring him on an excursion to the United States does not seem to be in the best interest of either of us. He is young and inexperienced. What led you to bring him? What of his family?”
“My love,” Adrian replied, “there was just something in his eyes, something I saw in yours once a long time ago. I couldn't bear to see it again. I felt it my duty to show him a new way of life, a better life. I don't think he's been treated the way he deserves by his family. I've seen bruises...” Adrian’s voice trailed off, and Wylie’s heart skipped. It was, after all, his kindness which made him so desirable to her.
“Yes, I had suspected as much, it's just that we know nothing about him. I still have to tend to my Teselym duties aboard this ship. I can’t risk…” It was her turn to run out of words to say, and she turned to look at the sea of faces that had grown as more and more people had settled in their quarters and come to enjoy themselves for the evening. “If you trust him, my love, then I trust you.”
“Wiley, you were the one that chose him to begin with, to tend the stables.”
“Yes, Adrian, to tend the stables, not to accompany us across the sea to New York. What if he finds out what I am? Then what?”
“I'm sure your worries are unfounded, please trust me on this. I know I have Cyrus, but I’ll need extra hands to help care for The Petford Pusher.” Adrian winked slyly at her.
“What’s that?” She cast him a quizzical glance.
“Oh, just a nickname I’ve given my invention. You lost your last name by marrying me, so I thought it only right to use it for something we both care about. And the pusher part is because the engine is in the rear. It’s much more suitable than ‘steam-powered carriage’. Wouldn’t you agree, dear?” Wylie nodded at him. “Now, stop your worrying and let us get back to enjoying our evening?”
“As you wish,” she smiled up at him as he led her back to where Jacob was standing. Their conversation was over, but there was something about the situation that did not sit well with Wylie. Whether it was that she was afraid to be found out or maybe, deep down, she didn’t trust Jacob, she couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding that now settled deep into her psyche.
“Is everything alright?” Jacob’s young voice asked.
“Yes, of course. I’m afraid I’m feeling terribly out of place here.” Wylie gestured about her.
“Yes, I’m right there with you, ma’am. I’d much rather be with the horses, better company.” Jacob grinned wide and a youthful dimple appeared on his cheek. Then his eyes rested on the Dracosinum around her neck, and Wylie immediately understood the odd sense of mistrust that had crept in. There was something about him, something she hadn’t seen before.
An odd feeling that he recognized what the Dracosinum was washed over her, and it was enough to cause her fear to return.
“So,” she let her hand cover the device, as one would finger a delicate antique, “You've come along to assist Lord McCollum?” It was as much a statement as a question. She tried desperately to get her mind off the gnawing sense of impending doom she felt.
“Y… yes... Yes, ma'am," Jacob stuttered as he answered, “I'm hoping to learn as much as I can from him. I would love nothing more than to be his apprentice, so to speak.”
“Well…” Wylie offered him her warmest smile, praying her eyes didn’t betray her. “You couldn't have picked a better man to learn from.” Looking across the saloon floor, she realized the piano music had grown in volume. “Perhaps you would do well to ask one of these young ladies to dance?”
Jacob’s face flushed red. “I don’t know if I’d have the gall to do such a thing.”
“Speaking of asking ladies to dance,” Adrian interrupted their conversation, “Might I have this dance with my lady?” He stepped out onto the floor and held out his hand to Wylie.
“Fine, but don’t be too upset if I trip over my own two feet.” She glanced casually at Jacob, watching his facial expressions. For the moment, he just looked like a clueless and eager young man, taking in the sights. Her fears disappeared quickly as Adrian whisked her across the floor, his feet as light as a feather. Did Adrian have a single flaw? Probably not, she giggled, and they proceeded to dance the rest of the night away.
Chapter Five
Two weeks later….
End of July 1851
Long Island, New York
In spite of Wylie’s fears that Jacob was up to something, the fourteen days aboard the ship were some of the best that she had ever experienced. She continued to perform her Teselym duties as she would on land. She used her Dracosinum to transport her back to the ship every night or she would have gotten lost above the sea. The steam-powered ship moved rapidly from Liverpool, England, where they’d boarded, towards New York.
As they got closer to their destination, the Siapheg Jameston seemed to be less and less active. Smugly, Wylie thought he must be truly afraid of her, preventing him from openly attacking even while he may have the advantage. Then one evening, his scent, and even his essence seemed to have disappeared completely. It was two nights before they were scheduled to land in the port of New York, and then journey to Oyster Bay on Long Island. When Wylie got back to her room that night and her Teselym dragon form had disappeared completely, she opened the Dracosinum to let Quincy out.
“Where is the Siapheg, Quincy?”
“Shhhh!” Quincy motioned to the sleeping Adrian. “Seems that he has removed himself from the area,” he responded. His eyes flashed something that Wylie couldn’t read.
“What aren’t you telling me, Quincy?”
The brass clockwork dragon flicked his tail. “I ha
ve no reason to keep anything from you. You know there are certain things I simply cannot say because it will throw off the balance. This may be one of those things though I shall attempt to speak. Perhaps the gods will allow me this one thing.” Quincy’s tiny metallic jaws opened, and nothing came out.
“Humph, well, that is apparently classified information. How about…” he opened his mouth again. “The Siapheg activity has been dying down, it’s not something that has happened before at any point in the existence of the Dragaleths. Usually,” his tail flicked again, “usually, the more evil the Siapheg does, the more they want to do. The Siapheg Jameston seems to not want to perform evil at the moment. The gods have a theory which I am not allowed to say, but I can say that it means he either regrets what he has done or that he is planning for something much, much worse. Either way, Wylie-girl, be cautious as always.”
Wylie nodded at him, “Thank you, Quincy, for telling me your thoughts. Any idea where he may have gone?”
“That is what I want to tell you, and for some reason I cannot say it. The gods won’t allow it which means it would affect the balance of good and evil if I say. That worries me, very much.”
“He has gone somewhere though, yes?”
“Not sure what you are asking dear, but yes, he is indeed somewhere.”
Wylie nodded. The question made perfect sense to her, even if it didn’t to Quincy. No matter, in two days’ time we’ll be docking in New York, and I will be freer to take on my Teselym form.
August 1st
“Are you ready, my love?” Lord McCollum poked his head around the door as Wylie glanced around the room one last time. Her eyes surveyed her surroundings to make sure she hadn’t left anything behind.
“Yes, Adrian. I’m ready.”
He entered the room and grabbed her carpet bags, leaving just one for her to carry herself. “Good, we’re just about to dock. Cyrus will show you to our room at the Octagon Inn, and I will be follow behind you shortly. Jacob and I have things to attend to with the Symposium Investors. Also, I need to make sure that my Petford Pusher makes it off this ship in one piece. It is the star of the show after all.” Adrian grinned at her, his excitement clearly evident.
The Phoenix Lord (The Dracosinum Tales) Page 3