Buried In Blue

by L G Rollins

  When Addie finally paused to take breath, Elise jumped in. “Have you sorted out the problems with your wedding dress? And I’m curious if you have changed you mind about the flowers?”

  Addie’s face lit up, and she motioned toward the gears at her shoulder. “I am going to display it. Matthew’s work is so fine, and I don’t care what the ton thinks. Besides, off-the-shoulder sleeves is quite en vogue in France right now, and it would be a slight to my homeland to ignore as much.” Addie was off once more, her hands flying enthusiastically as she spoke.

  Finally, the carriage rocked to a stop. Elise drew back the curtain a few inches. The large stone building loomed tall and imposing. Bridgeside Hall. She let the curtain drop, and her heart seem to drop with it.

  The time had come.

  All she’d been through—getting the submarine, adjusting to life on board, the experiment, William’s proposal, William’s betrayal, and falling for Nathaniel—and she still wasn’t done. She still had to convince the committee to continue her funding.

  Elise suddenly felt drained. Physically, mentally, and certainly emotionally—she was wholly rung out. Her time on the Gearhound felt like an entire lifetime’s worth of experiences, compressed into mere weeks; the intensity all the stronger for the abbreviated time.

  “Don’t worry.” Addie sat facing Elise and reached forward to pat her knee. “You’ll be splendid.”

  “I’d do better if my headache would go away.” Elise pulled her tresses atop her head. If only she had something to tie them up with; she always felt more professional when her hair was well coiffured. Unasked, Addie pulled a ribbon out of her reticule.

  Elise nodded her thanks and secured her hair up and out of the way. At least the bruise William gave her was only a faint tinge of yellow across her cheek now. Hopefully no one would notice it—if no one noticed, no one would ask questions Elise didn’t feel like answering.

  “Don’t let it get to you,” Addie encouraged. “Just walk in, head high, and tell them the wondrous news of what you did.”

  Had it been wondrous? From a scientific point of view, it surely had been. She’d shown there was a way to prevent a werewolf from shifting during all three nights of the full moon. She’d proved water was a vital aspect of werewolf research going forward, as was copper.

  However, sitting back in Addie’s carriage, watching Lord Chauncey try not to cringe as he lowered himself out, Elise didn’t feel like what she’d done was all that wondrous. She’d lost Nathaniel’s submarine. Forced Lord Chauncey to sleep on a hard floor for over two weeks. Scared Melissa so profoundly that she had recurring nightmares.

  Elise knew she wasn’t directly responsible for all the horrendous things that had taken place aboard the Gearhound, but if hadn’t been for her none of it would have happened. So, in a round about way, she did feel responsible. Elise listed her head. This may be the first time she didn’t see a situation from strictly it’s scientific side. How ironic. She must have changed more than she realized.

  Addie reached over the top of Elise. “Monsieur,” she called to Lord Chauncey. “We will be out dans une minute, s’il vous plaît.” And she shut the door tight, then plopped herself directly across from Elise.

  “Okay, mon amie, what’s going on?” she asked her eyes wide with excitement.

  Elise shook her head slowly. “I’m just exhaus—”

  “Not that.” Addie took her hand and squeezed quite tight. “I mean between you and le capitaine.” She waggled her eyebrows, her lips puckering.

  Heat skittered across Elise’s cheeks. Defining, even to herself, exactly what was going on between herself and Nathaniel was one thing she had been avoiding the past few weeks. Somehow, their relationship had gone, smoothly and easily, from dear friends to something decidedly more than friends.

  She couldn’t say when the transition happened, only that thinking about it made her feel as though she was glowing.

  “Don’t try and tell me it’s nothing,” Addie pressed on in the silence. “I pretended not to notice anything when he was around, but only because you are a dear friend and I didn’t want to embarrass you.” She placed a hand firmly on the door. “But I’m not letting you out of here until you tell all.”

  Could she truly say it aloud? Elise had hardly even said it to herself. But, she trusted Addie to respect her emotions; it was only too bad she and Addie hadn’t grown up together, Elise may not have struggled with voicing her feelings if she’d had Addie by her side.

  “I think I may be in love with him.” There. She’d said it. And it had been every bit as hard as she imagined.

  A single brow shot sky high across Addie’s forehead. “You think you may love him?” Her lips pursed again. “Not the most ardent proclamation I’ve ever heard.”

  “True,” Elise defended herself. “But for me, such a statement is quite an improvement.” Surely Addie could not overlook so much.

  Addie’s face eased into a smile and she leaned forward, hugging Elise tightly. “I am so happy for you.” Then she pulled back and flung the door open. “Now, hurry out. You haven’t time to dawdle.” And she began pushing Elise out of the carriage.

  The sun was bright, nearly blinding. Perhaps it was only because she had been aboard the dim submarine for several weeks that the sun seemed so brilliant. But the higher it climbed, the stronger it seemed to beat down on her. It was making her headache worse, too.

  Addie climbed out behind her, and then spotted an associate and waved. “Pardon, mon amie, but I must speak with Monsieur Edgestone over there.” She kissed each of Elise’s cheeks. “I promise to return before you stand up.”

  As Addie hurried away, Elise looped her arm through Lord Chauncey’s, who was taking the wide, shallow stairs one at a time. He’d had a particularly rough time at sea.

  “I have told you I’m sorry, right?” she asked. “If not for my belligerence, you never would have been aboard a submarine in the first place.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her tight to him. “Keep your belligerence, you’re going to need it. And stop apologizing, you’ve done it plenty of times. Now, are you ready to storm in there and knock their socks off?”

  She had the crazy, illogical urge to giggle. Knock their socks off? Where did Lord Chauncey come up with these things?

  Elise hooked her arm through Lord Chauncey’s. “I’m ready to make sure it wasn’t all for naught.”

  His eyes softened; he knew when she said “it” she wasn’t only talking about the money and the time on the submarine, but also William’s betrayal and their fight to escape. He flourished his cane as he struggled up the next shallow step. “Then come, the committee is waiting.”

  athaniel parked his motorcar, tugged on his jacket—which felt stifling in the early summer heat—and then reached for his hat resting on the seat beside him. Melissa had wailed and kicked when he’d first said he needed to leave her at home. However, once he explained his destination, she’d calmed down and allowed Mary to take her up to the nursery for cake.

  His own nerves were still on edge, though. After all they had gone through, he knew the importance of this meeting for Elise.

  Nathaniel pushed open the door and stood up. Dozens of people milled about in the harsh sunlight, walking in and out of the open Bridgeside Hall great doors. He spotted her immediately.

  Elise stood just inside shaking someone’s hand. She’d pulled her hair up since docking, and the look accentuated the curve or her delicate chin and neck. Her skirt and dark breeches were wrinkled from over-wear during the past couple weeks. However, while every other person around him seem to bleach bland in the intense sunlight, Elise only stood taller and glowed more beautiful.

  Nathaniel had not once brought up his new, less-than-ideal financial situation. Less-than-ideal indeed. It was far worse than that. For the first time in over a decade he’d found love, and it was being thwarted by something pointless, yet unbending and cruel.

  He’d thought through h
is options countless times. Each attempted ended the same—he had to purchase a new submarine and find work immediately, or risk dragging his mother and daughter through the muck of financial ruin.

  Lord Chauncey stood beside Elise, glad-handing everyone. Mademoiselle Dubois also was at Elise’s side. Elise’s support, it seemed, was coming out in force, and he was glad to be part of it. This could very well be the last time he was able to stand beside her in any way. Taking the steps two at a time, Nathaniel hurried forward.

  A sudden movement caught his attention. Nathaniel slowed his ascent and peered down the small alley to the side of Bridgeside Hall. A man stood in the shadow. With a hat pulled low over his eyes and leaning a shoulder against the hall, at first glance he seemed to be a casual onlooker, simply wasting time. But his arms were folded tight and he studied each man and woman who strode by.

  Nathaniel changed his path, circling around. The man was no disinterested observer, though he probably wished others to think he was. Nathaniel gently laid a hand at his side. At least he’d brought the pistol from his library. His favorite pistol had been lost with the Gearhound, but this one had still been in his desk drawer, where he’d left it before even agreeing to travel to the Puerto Rico Trench. Acting on a gut feel, he’d brought it along.

  He was probably over reacting. Elise had, more than once, teased him for being overly cautious.

  But that man looked decidedly like Cunningham—so much so, it sent a chill down his back. A young street boy dashed by and Nathaniel reached out, grabbing the boy’s shoulder.

  “You for hire?” he asked quickly.

  The boy have a curt nod. “Anythin’ you needin’ done, I’m fastest in all London.”

  “Good.” He dug a small coin out of his pocket. “Run down to the port and get me a list of all the vessels that docked this morning. Get back here before noon and I’ll give you two more shillings.”

  “Yes sir,” the boy answered eagerly, and took off at a mad run.

  Nathaniel moved a few steps closer to the alley. Elise and all around her had moved inside. He should probably forget about the stranger and go in as well. Most likely, he was making things up. But the sudden weight in his gut urged him on.

  The man placed a thumb against the brim of his hat and readjusted it. Sunlight brushed against his profile and Nathaniel froze.

  It was Cunningham.

  The man had somehow made it back to England. Elise had mentioned possibly seeing an escape pod detach from the Gearhound moments before the Kranken attacked.

  That he was here could only mean one thing; the man’s hatred for Elise had grown to overshadow even his desire to escape changing each month. It had been Nathaniel’s experience that desperate men did desperate things, such as stealing a submarine. But angry men did destructive things. Most of which could never be repaired.

  Cunningham slowly spun around and disappeared down the alley. Nathaniel undid the clip holding his gun in it’s holster as he hurried after. There was no chance in all perdition he would allow Cunningham to even get close to Elise.

  The alley was narrow and overshadowed by the large buildings on either side. Cunningham was nearly halfway down the length of the building. Nathaniel stepped lightly so that his boots didn’t click against the stone paving. What was he up to? Waiting for Elise to leave Bridgeside so he could attack her? He had no doubt Cunningham had come back for Elise. Moving slow and silently, Nathaniel lifted his pistol. It slid, noiselessly, from it’s holster.

  The scrape of sole against stone came from behind. Nathaniel glanced over his shoulder. A large fist collided with his face.

  Nathaniel crumbled and all around fell dark.

  *****

  Her name was called, and Doctor Elise Sterling stood, anxiety shaking the very bones inside her. She walked to the front of the room. Turned. Faced the committee. Placed a hand against the table to steady herself.

  Doctor Burnfure, with her wobbly voice and salt-and-pepper hair wrapped atop her head, spoke first. “We are pleased you have returned, Doctor Sterling. I understand your expedition was not without difficulties.”

  Elise had arrived here at Bridgeside Hall within an hour of docking. Yet, somehow, word of their misadventure had arrived even sooner. Well, that was London.

  “Thank you. I am also glad to be home once more.” Hopefully they wouldn’t press her for more information on the so-called difficulties of the venture. Elise was only interested in discussing the science. Her experiment was what she was here to talk about. Her gaze jumped to the back, where a few interested individuals mulled about casually. Lord Chauncey and Addie were among them. But it seemed Nathaniel had not yet been able to pull himself away from Melissa.

  “So, tell us,” Burnfure continued. “Was your experiment a success?”

  Elise breathed out a silent sigh of relief. They too seemed only interested in the science. Elise opened her mouth and jumped into the presentation she’d been rehearsing the entire time aboard the Sea Turtle. As she spoke of the details of those three nights, a proud thrill coursed through her, one like she had not felt since the morning after the experiment. The committee looked at her with as wide of eyes as she’d envisioned them having—though she felt Lord Chauncey was most likely disappointed that no one lost their socks.

  “So, honored committee,” she concluded, “my findings irrefutably sustain the theory that water does absorb moonlight, that with enough water all moonlight can be absorbed, and that without said moonlight a werewolf does not shift.”

  Elise’s final words hung in the air around her. She stood, back straight, waiting for their judgment. Heaven help her, if they turned her down what would she do? Her research was everything to her. She couldn’t imagine life without it. The mere thought made her stomach clench and her head spin with doubt.

  Doctor Makepiece was the first—she leaned back in her chair, lifted her two hands, and began clapping. Burnfure followed. Then the entire table. Thunderous applause echoed around the high walls of the room, filling the space up to the windows which were open along the upper half.

  The clapping eventually subsided, replaced by the various members leaning in toward each other whispering in less than quiet tones about the implications of her success and possible follow-up experiments. Elise watched, gaze jumping from one member to another. They were pleased. They were excited. She’d done it. Surely they would not deny her further support now.

  Elise addressed Burnfure. “I would like to request the further support of the committee. In addition to the success of my experiment, I also may have uncovered the reason no one else could duplicate my BLU Elixir and I have a new lead to pursue.”

  As she spoke, the room calmed and all eyes returned to her. No doubt it was in eagerness to hear what she planned to do next. But then she glanced around. It wasn’t smiles and anticipation that looked back at her. The committee glanced sideways at one another, lips pulled in a line or even angled down. Elise’s brow dropped, what did they know that she was missing?

  “Thank you, Doctor Sterling,” Doctor Sackville’s voice broke through the stillness, his curled mustache twitching smugly. “But, I do believe it is time we inform you that your funding and support is scheduled to end in two days’ time.”

  Elise felt all the blood leave her head. “Excuse me?” This couldn’t be right. She’d provided them the exciting, gossip-worthy experiment they wanted, and she’d succeeded. She’d proved her research was revolutionary and her logic sound. What else did they want? Elise turned to Doctor Burnfure.

  The elderly woman didn’t meet her gaze as she spoke. “Three weeks ago, we received news that a couple American scientist had been able to stay airborne for more than one hundred and forty seconds with the use of a flying jacket. We had two scientists ready and willing and an airship headed for Virginia. Waiting seemed unwise.”

  Flying jackets. The new, shinny thing. Nothing, it seemed, was worse than appearing behind the Americans. In this room, not even the lives and safety of
England’s own subjects were more important than staying a head of others. Elise placed her two hands on top of the chestnut table once more. It was the solid support she needed, and she leaned heavy against it.

  “Your theories are interesting,” Doctor Sackville picked up the explanation. “But we need something that will affect everyday lives.”

  And flying jackets would? “We have werewolves here in England.” Elise glared down at him. “Attacks here in England.”

  He smiled at her anger. “Not many.”

  “You mean not many among the upper crust.”

  His smile vanished. “I do not wish to turn a blind eye to those who suffer with such a disease. But I understand that we are here to serve those who fund us. An efficacious flying jacket would bring prosperity and capital gains. It is an opportunity that cannot be overlooked.”

  Hers was an opportunity that could not be overlooked. How could they not understand? But no one was listening any more. Already several of the committee members had picked up hats and canes, ready to leave. In the back, Addie’s smile was gone and Lord Chauncey’s brow was creased. And still, Nathaniel had not yet showed. Hopefully he would arrive soon. If ever she needed his calming support it was now.

  “We thank you for your report,” Doctor Makepiece said, shuffling and stacking the various papers in front of her. “It was much anticipated. At this time, the committee wishes to remind you that, as a whole, we own your research and discoveries.”

  Elise couldn’t find words. She was struggling to feel the table beneath her hands. It was over? Just like that, they were ending all she had worked for years to build?

  “Since the committee funded and provided all support for the BLU Elixir,” Makepiece continued, but her voice sounded terribly far away. “We also own that and all rights to continue researching it. Seeing how it has not been successfully reproduced, we have deemed it unsafe and are forbidding anyone”—she looked at Elise quite pointedly—“from making more or continuing research on it.”