Steam & Sorcery

by Cindy Spencer Pape

  “Miss Caro, no.” Jamie’s wail pierced the atmosphere of the room and all movement stopped.

  “Jamie?” Caro ran over to the boy and crouched down. “Dear, what’s wrong? Is your arm hurting?” His cast had only come off the day before.

  He shook his head, tears spilling out over his lashes. “That’s the dress. You can’t wear that. They’ll get you.”

  Oh, goodness, she’d forgotten his dream—and if the children were right, it had been a genuinely prophetic one. She gathered him into her arms. “I promise, Jamie, I’m not leaving this house tonight. Your dream was about vampyres in the carriage, right?”

  “Y-yes.” He buried his face in her shoulder.

  “Well, then, I should be perfectly safe right here in our own dining room, shouldn’t I? Or would you rather I go put on a different gown?” She wouldn’t mind changing if it would ease his mind.

  “You’re n-not going anywhere?”

  “Promise.” Though she and Merrick had originally planned to visit the MacKays that night, the sudden engagement had caused them to change their minds and stay home with the family.

  “Then it’s all right, I guess.” He wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his good jacket, but Caroline handed him a handkerchief before he could use it to blow his nose.

  “Then let’s go down to dinner, shall we?” She stood and took him by the hand. “I hear there are to be spice cakes for pudding.” She couldn’t help but wonder if the decision to stay in that evening had in fact saved her and Merrick’s lives.

  Jamie seemed certain of it. Mollified, he went along, clutching Caroline’s hand tightly, and the others followed them down the stairs.

  Dinner was an exuberant affair. Though the children could barely sit still in their seats, their delight was contagious. Even the starchy Mr. Berry smiled now and again. Merrick was adamant that the wedding be held within the month, so Dorothy took out a pencil and notebook right at the dinner table to begin taking notes, while Miss Julian sat beside her, muttering suggestions.

  By the time she’d taken the children upstairs and put them to bed, Caroline’s head was spinning, trying to sort fancy from reality. All she knew for certain though, was when Merrick asked her for something, she couldn’t tell him no. And she wanted this, so very, very badly. She only wished he’d spoken of love, instead of friendship, compatibility and desire.

  Oh well. She would simply have to love enough for both of them. She didn’t think that was likely to be difficult.

  It seemed strange to get up the following morning and carry on in a normal fashion, as if the world hadn’t shifted on its axis. Caroline managed, though, eating breakfast in the nursery with a smile on her face. While the children were still thrilled, they’d also had time to consider that Caroline and Merrick’s marriage would mean some changes in the household—namely, the installation of a new governess—or two. Caroline was considering hiring separate ones for the girls and the boys, which might make things easier to manage.

  The family didn’t attend church as a rule, and there were no lessons on Sunday, so the children soon grew restless and bored. Somehow, Caroline managed to get them through a relatively civilized luncheon. They ate alone, in the nursery, as Merrick had left the house that morning to consult with his friend from Scotland Yard, Inspector Dugan. Dorothy was off making wedding arrangements, and even Tommy and Mr. Berry were away, giving the house an empty feel, even though there were still a dozen or so servants on the premises. As it was a cool, sunny day, Caro found herself looking forward to their walk in the park as much as the children were.

  To her surprise, though, Wink requested to stay behind.

  “George needs some repairs,” the girl said. “I think he leaned on your leg last evening.”

  Caroline winced. Come to think of it, the clockwork dog was missing today. “I’m so sorry, sweeting. I’ll try harder to avoid touching him.”

  “It’s all right, miss. It’s a simple repair. I’ll be done by the time you’re home from the park.”

  “Well, we won’t be long. I’ll leave Johnson and Becky with you.” Caroline hated to leave any of the children behind, but Wink really should be fine in a houseful of devoted servants.

  Wink licked her lips, her eyes darting nervously. “Is Constable Liam here?”

  Ah, so that’s what this is about. While a schoolgirl infatuation was natural, it couldn’t be encouraged to go too far. In Wapping, a girl of fifteen was considered of marriageable age, but not in Mayfair, and not likely to the son of an earl, albeit an Irish one. “Constable McCullough will be going with us, I believe. He’s the only one who can outrun Jamie if he decides to bolt.” The young policeman was also gifted. Caroline was sure of it, though she had yet to determine just how.

  “True.” With a resigned sigh, Wink ran to her room to change into her coveralls while the others got their hats.

  The long walk in Green Park did much to blow the cobwebs from Caroline’s mind. Despite her earlier misgivings about splitting their forces, there were no incidents in the park to even hint at any attacks. They were all in such high spirits that she allowed the children and Constable Liam McCullough race ahead the last block or so, to wait panting at the door for Caroline and Sally.

  “Thinking ye’ll be needing a lady’s maid, miss, once you’ve married the master. I’ve another sister, you know. She’s seventeen, ready to go into service. Our Nan is even better with a needle than Becky, and a wizard at doing hair.”

  Lord, yet another thing she hadn’t considered. “I thought Becky was only seventeen. Are they twins?”

  “Nah, Beck turned eighteen last week. Irish twins—born ten months apart.”

  “Send her around, Sally.” Soon, it seemed, they’d be employing half of London—and all of Sally’s family.

  It was odd that no one had answered the door yet, but Caroline rang the bell again when she stepped up onto the porch. There was no answer. Dread dragged icy fingers down the length of her spine. Something was very, very wrong.

  “Wait out on the curb,” Constable McCullough—Liam—ordered. “I’ll go around the back and see if anyone’s still here.”

  Caroline and Sally, each held tightly to one of the boys, with Nell pinned between them. These weren’t helpless waifs used to being protected, but tough fighters in their own right. That didn’t stop Caroline from keeping a firm grip on Piers’s shoulders. It was high time someone took care of them.

  A few minutes later the front door opened and Liam stood on the stoop, his expression grim. “There were intruders, but they’ve gone.”

  “What’s wrong?” This time Caroline ran with the others and was only a few steps behind Liam and the boys. “Where is everyone?”

  “That’s the trouble.” Liam shut the front door behind them after they were all inside. “The servants are belowstairs, most of them tied up and unconscious. Tom and his tutor are in the ballroom, likewise incapacitated, but both are alive. Becky and Johnson are in the nursery.” Liam seemed to be retying his cravat as they walked, though that made no sense to Caroline. “I couldn’t untie them with paws instead of hands.”

  Caroline had no idea what he meant, but this wasn’t the time to ask.

  “And Wink? Is she in the nursery as well?” She’d been asking Merrick to assign the girl a separate space for her work with machines, but they hadn’t had time to sort one out yet.

  “Wink?” Liam’s dark complexion paled. “No. I’d assumed she was with Miss Hadrian. Her carriage is gone, as is Sir Merrick’s.”

  Caroline shook her head. “Wink stayed home to work on George.”

  Liam swore viciously. “George is in the schoolroom, in pieces. There’s no sign of Wink.”

  Caroline was right behind him as they ran up the stairs, Sally and the children stampeding in their wake.

  The nursery was a shambles. Clearly, Wink, Becky and Johnson had put up one hell of a fight. Equally clearly, they’d been overpowered. Becky and Johnson were bound, hands and feet, lying in the
center of the floor, and of Wink there was no sign at all. George lay on the floor, his head on Wink’s worktable, so he hadn’t been able to help. Damn it.

  Johnson blinked up at Caroline as she pulled a sharp knife from a decorative sheath on her belt—a gift from Merrick she’d taken to carrying since the last attack. She cut his bonds while Liam did the same for Becky, who was still unconscious and sported a vicious bruise on her cheek.

  “Miss Caro,” Johnson whispered. “Sorry. Too many of them. And they had this vapor…made us dizzy.”

  “Did you get a good look at any of them, man?” Liam helped the other man up and into a chair.

  “They wore masks to filter out the gas.” Johnson accepted a glass of water from Nell while Caroline checked Becky for further injuries. Other than the blow to the head, she seemed fine, and even began coming around. “Completely hid their faces.”

  “Miss Wink,” she gasped. “Came for her they did. Pointed right at her as soon as they stormed in the room.”

  Wink had been the target? This was more dreadful than Caroline had imagined. They needed Merrick.

  “I’m going downstairs to check on the others.” Liam stood and motioned to Caroline. “Sally, you and the children stay here and see to your sister. Johnson, whenever you think you’re able, come find us.”

  “I’m able now.” With only a slight wobble, the burly footman stood. He wrenched the dangling leg off an overturned table and nodded to Liam. “Let’s go.”

  Next they ran to the ballroom, where Berry and Tommy had clearly been practicing fencing. While Berry was still unconscious, Tommy was awake and had nearly struggled out of his bonds.

  “Gideon-sodding-MacKay,” he spat as soon as Caroline removed the gag from his mouth. The string of profanity that followed would have done a veteran sailor proud.

  Caroline blinked, her lower jaw hanging slack. “Gideon?” Perhaps Tommy’s head had been struck harder than he seemed to think. Gideon MacKay was a harmless flirt. Certainly he hadn’t been pleased about her engagement to Merrick, but that would give him no reason to target Wink.

  “It’s him. Blast it all, why didn’t we see that?” Liam untied Mr. Berry, checking his pulse and pupils. “This one will be all right. Sooner or later.”

  “We both got in a few blows.” Tommy gestured at the bloody tips of the epees lying on the floor a few yards away. “That’s how I know it was Bloody Bastard MacKay. Pricked him in the neck and he took that funny mask off.”

  “Did they use gas in here?” Liam shook Mr. Berry, who moaned without opening his eyes.

  “Aye.” Tommy stood and walked over to a chair on the edge of the room. He scrabbled underneath then pulled out a metal sphere, roughly the size of a grapefruit, with buttons pointing in several different directions and holes all around like a tea strainer, but on a larger scale. “They threw these at the ground and then the gas came out. Made us all woozy-like.”

  Liam took the object and sniffed it, then shook it to listen to the rattle of glass. “Ether, a lot of it, in a glass vial. The buttons must have broken the glass, releasing the vapor.”

  “This was a coordinated attack to kidnap Wink,” Caroline said. “Johnson, are you well enough to take a horse and ride to Scotland Yard for Sir Merrick?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” His straight stature and fierce expression marked the truth of his words.

  “Tell him to meet Constable McCullough and myself outside Gideon MacKay’s townhouse. Merrick had wondered, when we were there, why all the basement windows had been bricked up. MacKay must be the one in collusion with the vampyres.”

  “Aye,” Tommy kicked his flimsy epee away from him in disgust. “Let me go get my sword and crossbow.”

  Caroline wanted to object, but Liam laid a hand on his shoulder. “He knows what he’s doing. I’d rather take him than you.”

  “They have my daughter, Constable.” Yes, in her heart, Caroline already considered these children hers. “Don’t even try to stop me.”

  Tommy ran up the stairs, returning almost immediately in his regular shoes and jacket, with Sally and Becky, and the children behind him.

  “We’ll untie everyone else,” Sally said, a sturdy walking stick in one hand and a knife in the other. “You go get our girl back, miss.”

  “I brought Wink’s weapons for you,” Tommy said. “They’re lighter, for a girl.”

  “Good enough. Is there a carriage left in the mews?”

  Liam shook his head. “Just an old one and the second-string horses. We’ll get there faster in a hack.”

  After wrapping the weapons in a cloak, they ran to St. James Square to catch a hackney, then Liam bribed the driver heavily to spring the horses as much as possible, considering it was London in the middle of the afternoon.

  The ten minutes it took them to get to Gideon’s small, semi-detached townhouse seemed like hours. Liam gave Tommy a rundown of the layout, having been there for the same dinner party as Caroline. They discussed entrances and exits, and the probability that there were more of the hired thugs waiting, along with the possibility of vampyres.

  “I’m going to go in as a wolf. I’ll be more effective that way. Miss Bristol, if you’d mind closing your eyes while I change…” Liam’s voice was blunt and unapologetic as he began to strip off his coat and hat. “If there’s activity on the first floor, I’ll break through a window, giving me the element of surprise. Otherwise, Tommy can sneak me in the back door, while you wait out front for Sir Merrick and Johnson.”

  Caroline shook her head. “I intend to walk in through the front door. If I ring the bell, it will draw the servants to the front, clearing the way for the two of you.”

  Liam continued systematically undressing, so she pointedly turned to look out the cab window. “A werewolf, Mr. McCullough? How fascinating.” Well, why not? She’d begun to think nothing could surprise her anymore—well, not when it came to supernatural abilities, anyway. She didn’t think she’d ever understand Merrick’s behavior.

  “Tom, hide Constable McCullough’s clothing in the garden on the way in. He may need them later.” The hack rolled to a stop directly in front of Gideon’s house, and Caroline allowed the driver to help her out the door facing the house, while Tommy let Liam out the other side. Caroline had tucked Wink’s silvered sword inside the waistband of her skirt, between the outer layer and her heavy petticoat.

  There were three soft sounds and Caroline turned to see the three younger children drop from the back of the hackney. Nell wore trousers, and even little Jamie was armed. “You hopped on the cab and followed us here?”

  They all nodded. Caroline sighed and looked to Tommy.

  The older boy immediately assumed the mantle of command. “Jamie, into the shrubs in front. Don’t let anyone come in the front without our knowing about it, and update Sir Merrick when he arrives. Piers, you stick with Miss Caro, and watch her back, after you pick the front lock if you need to. Nell, you’re on watch in the back garden. Got it?”

  All three children nodded, and as Caroline made her way to the front door, a proper lady with a child making an afternoon call, Jamie, Nell and Tommy seemed to disappear from her view, fading into the bushes and around the corners like they were no more than part of the scenery.

  She wasn’t the least bit surprised when no one answered their ring. She stood patiently, blocking Piers from view of the street as he did something to the lock with a long sliver of metal. The latch popped open and Piers peeked inside before slipping ahead of Caroline into the foyer.

  “Nobody up here,” he murmured, his low tone carrying far less than a whisper would. Caroline followed him in the door and quickly closed it behind her.

  Caroline nodded. Her hearing was excellent, and she couldn’t detect a trace of anyone nearby. There was something, though… “Do you feel a rumbling beneath our feet?” Of course—the bricked-up basement windows.

  Piers shook his head. “But Tommy might. He can see and hear things the rest of us can’t.”

 
; Like Merrick. Caroline pulled out Wink’s sword and held it in one hand while she clutched a sturdy oak walking stick in the other. Tommy had sharpened the tip into a point for her on the way here, giving her a stout wooden stake. Liam’s pistol was in her pocket. “Let’s find the steps to the cellar. Probably through the kitchen.” Please God, let Wink be here and let them not have hurt her.

  In the rear of the house, they met up with Tommy and Liam, who appeared to be a very large black and gray wolf, with intelligent golden-brown eyes. With nothing but motions of his big head, he managed to convey that he would descend first, once Piers had picked the heavy padlock on the cellar door.

  “Me next,” said Tommy, with an authority that would serve him well later in life as a gentleman landowner. “You wait here. Piers, run and let Nell know it’s the basement.”

  Caroline nodded, respecting his authority when it came to this sort of thing, even while she longed to be the one protecting the children instead of the other way around. Piers flitted back to the front door. Tommy slipped down into the darkness with uncanny silence, while Caroline waited.

  Piers returned in just a few seconds from the front door at about the same time as Tommy crept back up the stairs.

  “They’ve got her working on the machine—chained to it. She’s not hurt bad, but there are a lot of men and vampyres down there.”

  “And we can’t let them finish that formula,” Caroline said. “How many men? How many vampyres?”

  “I counted at least six of each. Maybe more behind the wall. Gideon’s down there all right, ordering Wink about, but I don’t think he’s the one in charge. There’s someone I couldn’t see, to whom Gideon keeps looking.”

  “Tommy, should we go now, or wait for Sir Merrick?” Again, she had to trust his expertise.

  “Now. Stuff was starting to drip from the machine. I think the formula is almost done.”