Rebel Magisters

by Shanna Swendson

  Midmorning, the steward and maid brought around tea and pastries. At noon, the big table in the middle of the room was laid with fine china for a light luncheon. We were just finishing dessert when we began our descent into Boston.

  There was only a slight jolt when we moored at the airfield. We exited down a flight of steps wheeled up to the nose of the gondola and boarded the carriages that waited for us. The younger children and I were in one carriage, while the governor, Henry, and Flora rode in the other.

  “That’s the only way to travel,” Rollo said. “No bumps or jolts like in a carriage or a train. Maybe they should have smaller airships for traveling around town.”

  “They’d block out the sky if there were too many of them,” Olive said. “Why couldn’t we ride with Grandfather and Uncle, like Flora did?”

  “We’re just kids,” Rollo said, but he didn’t sound like it bothered him. “They couldn’t fit everyone in one carriage, and this way, we don’t have to act too nice.”

  “Oh, really?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Aw, Miss Newton, you’re not like Grandfather. I may not act any different with you, but I feel like I’m acting better with you.”

  The carriage brought us to a stately townhome that wasn’t quite as large as the governor’s mansion, but it was a palace compared to the Lyndon home, which I had considered palatial when I first arrived. Looking at the outside, I thought this building must be a hotel, but once we entered, I realized it was a residence, and it was all ours for the week. Did the governor really keep a house like this just for his occasional visits to this city? I made a mental note to look further into the matter for a possible article.

  The children and I were assigned to rooms on one of the upper floors—away from the governor’s suite, much to my relief. I couldn’t tell where Henry’s room was, and there was no way to ask without looking improper. My room was much nicer than the one I had at home, which had clearly been designed for a governess. This room could have been for any guest. For a few days, so long as I was in my room, I might be able to forget my position.

  Our bags and trunks were brought up, and while the housemaids were busy unpacking Flora’s belongings, I hung up my own dresses in my room’s wardrobe. When the maid entered, she startled me. “Oh, ye didn’t have to do that, miss,” she said, bustling in to take over. She was a sturdy girl about my age, with dark hair and dark blue eyes.

  “I don’t mind looking after myself,” I said. “I’m only the governess.”

  “But ye’re a guest in this house, miss.”

  “There’s not much to do. I’ve done it already. Really, I don’t mind.”

  Ignoring my objections, she picked up my bag and began unpacking. I tried to wrest it away from her, and something fell out of a pair of stockings, hitting the floor with a soft ting. I dove for the small gear with a red ribbon through it and hoped she didn’t see it. I knew it had been risky to bring the symbol of the Rebel Mechanics with me while traveling with the governor and staying in his house, but Colin had mentioned arranging meetings with the local Mechanics, so I’d thought I might need it.

  I’d hoped the maid hadn’t seen it, but she bent to pick it up. She straightened and held the token by its ribbon, staring at it quizzically. “Ah, now that would explain why ye’re so self-sufficient and don’t like others waitin’ on ye.”

  I couldn’t tell if she meant that as a compliment or if she was implying that I’d wanted to unpack for myself because I had something to hide. A million responses flooded through my mind, ranging from threats to denial. Perhaps sensing my terror, she winked at me. “Oh, don’t ye worry none, ye have nothin’ to fear from me. I have one like it that I brought with me when I was hired for this job only just this week.”

  All my breath rushed out in a great whoosh of relief. “You’re the local contact Lizzie set me up with? You could have said something before you gave me the vapors!”

  She grinned. “And where’s the fun in that?”

  “You aren’t related to Colin, by any chance, are you?” The sense of humor was certainly familiar.

  “We’re cousins of some sort. I’ve never tried to draw the family tree. I just know that my mother is somehow related to his father. And yes, I know that some things run in the family. I was lucky to get the wit and flair for the dramatic without the ginger hair and freckles.”

  “So if I uncover something I need to pass to the Mechanics, I give it to you?”

  “Aye. ’Twill be a challenge right under the nose of his nibs, and that’s what makes it fun.”

  “I’m sure I can count on your discretion.”

  “I’ve got as much to lose as you do. If it’s your word against mine, you could throw me to the wolves.”

  “You don’t have to worry about me.”

  I gave up fighting her about unpacking for me, since that gave her an excuse to stay and chat. She told me stories about Colin as a child that had me shaking with laughter. When she’d finished getting my room set just so, she surveyed her work with her hands on her hips and gave a nod of satisfaction. “There, just like home. Now, if you need me, pull the bell over there.” I followed her gesture to a cord hanging on the wall over the bed. “My name’s Mary, and I’ll be taking care of you and the children. That Lady Flora’s going to keep me hopping, isn’t she?”

  “Very likely, but if she gives you any trouble, let me know. Her uncle won’t stand for it.”

  “He’s the one who’s helping? I take it he’s the young one. Rather handsome, if ye like them scholarly. And if you can abide magisters.”

  “Yes, that’s the one,” I said, refraining from comment about how handsome Henry might or might not be. “He’s not bad for a magister. You can trust him.”

  “Good to know. Well, I’d best be off. Plenty of work to do. Lovely chatting with you, miss. Shall I bring up some tea? We’re letting the guests rest this afternoon, so a formal tea won’t be served, but I can bring refreshments to your room. Dinner for the adults and Lady Flora will be at eight, but we’ll serve supper in the nursery for you and the younger two at half-past six. And then if you’re up to it, the Mechanics are having a gathering tonight. You and your Lord Henry are invited.” She transitioned so smoothly into the invitation that it took me a moment to realize what she’d said.

  “Tonight?”

  “Yes, miss. Don’t worry, it wasn’t planned in your honor. The timing was merely convenient. But we’d love to have you there, you and his lordship.”

  “I’ll have to speak to him. I’d also need to figure out how to get out of here and how to get there.”

  “I can help you with that, miss. Now, would you be wantin’ some tea?”

  “Yes, some tea would be lovely, thank you,” I said. “Perhaps in an hour or so? I need to look in on the children and make sure they’re doing their lessons, and if I get a chance to speak to Lord Henry, I can let you know then about the gathering.”

  “Very good, miss,” she said, bobbing a quick curtsy. She gave me a wink over her shoulder as she left the room.

  I took a moment to adjust my hair before going to check on Olive. She was lying on her back in the middle of a huge canopy bed. “It’s a princess room!” she said.

  “Just the thing for a princess,” I replied. “Now, I want you to read that book I gave you on the history of Boston, before dinner. We’ll talk about it then and plan what we want to see.”

  She dutifully got out her book and rolled onto her stomach to read, her chin resting on her fists. “I want to see everything,” she declared.

  “We have a week, so perhaps we shall,” I said. “Now I’d better check on your brother.”

  I found Rollo examining every inch of his room, playing with the magical lights, and looking out the window. “I can’t tell if this house has a central heating system,” he said. “I don’t find any ductwork. Could they really still be using fireplaces?”

  “I have no idea. That might be something to ask your grandfather.”
<
br />   He flopped onto the bed. “What did you think of the airship, Miss Newton?”

  “I found it to be a much easier journey than I’ve experienced on a train. Though I do like looking at the scenery from train windows. It’s odd only seeing rooftops.”

  “That’s why I think it would be great to have airships that travel just above the ground. No bumps, but you can still see out. I wonder why no one’s done that yet.”

  “Perhaps you’ll be the one to invent it. But first, before you forget any details, I’d like you to write an essay about what you learned on your tour of the ship today. I’ll save your school assignments for tomorrow.”

  I expected him to protest, as he usually did any schoolwork, but he pulled out a notebook without complaint. “Good idea, Miss Newton. I don’t want to forget any of it.” I left him leaning over his notebook, his pen flying and his tongue sticking out from between his teeth as he concentrated intently.

  I ran into Henry in the hallway outside. “Ah, Miss Newton, just the person I wanted to see,” he said. “They’ve given you this room down the hall as a schoolroom.” He escorted me to a sunny corner room that must have once been a playroom for little girls. I imagined the Lyndon children’s late mother and their aunt, Lady Elinor, playing on the rocking horse and practicing the piano on the spinet in the corner.

  Once we were in the room, he dropped his voice and said, “I’m afraid the governor is being conventional about dinner arrangements. You and the younger children will have an early meal in the nursery.”

  “I know. The maid told me. By the way, she’s with the Mechanics.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “That’s interesting. They got someone into the governor’s house?”

  “Apparently. She was just hired for our visit.”

  “I’ll tell Olive and Rollo about dinner. Olive is bound to be disappointed, and I don’t want you to have to be the bearer of bad news. I’m not sure Rollo will care.” He smiled and added, “And I will have no one to talk to.”

  We were standing close together so we could speak without being overheard, and I knew that if we were seen like this, our relationship surely would be misunderstood. I wanted to take a step backward, but I couldn’t bring myself to do so.

  “I hope your dinner doesn’t last too long,” I said. “We’ve been invited to a gathering tonight.”

  “The local Mechanics?”

  “Indeed. And you were specifically included in the invitation. Twice, now that I think about it.”

  “Do you know where or when?”

  “The maid said she’ll take care of that.”

  His lips twitched into a lopsided smile. “Well, now, sneaking out with the governess and a maid my first night in Boston. It’s a pity I didn’t choose ‘incorrigible playboy’ as my cover persona.”

  Chapter Eight

  In Which

  We Are Put to

  the Test

  Mary brought tea to me at the appointed hour. She set the tray on the nightstand and poured into a pretty blue-and-white china teacup from a matching pot. “There ye are, miss,” she said, handing the cup to me. “What did your Lord Henry have to say about tonight?”

  “He accepts your invitation.”

  She beamed as she dropped a sugar cube into my cup. “It’s good to hear that.”

  “You said you had a way to get us out of the house?”

  “Aye, leave that to me. I’ll come get you when they’re through with dinner and it looks safe.”

  “What kind of gathering is it? How should I dress?”

  “It’s no big, fancy party, that’s for certain. Dress plain.”

  A glance down at my simple gray day dress made me smile. I’d have to go out of my way not to dress plainly. She left me alone with my tea, and I tried to force myself to relax. Mary obviously had things under control, so I had nothing to worry about in sneaking out of the house. I had no real agenda for the meeting other than getting acquainted, so there was no mission to succeed or fail. If the Boston Mechanics were anything like my New York friends, it would be more of a party than a real meeting, and that was something I realized I sorely needed. Aside from the recent show and party, my social life had disappeared with the rebel machines.

  That evening at dinner, I was glad that I wasn’t dining with the adults because it was a lot easier to hide my eagerness. Olive and Rollo were so excited about the day’s voyage and being in a new place that they didn’t seem to notice anything odd about my behavior. My bearing might have drawn more attention among the adults.

  It was worse when dinner was finished and I’d seen Olive to bed, because then I had nothing to do but wait. I tried reading, but barely registered the words. I jotted a few notes about the airship voyage and the Boston house, but I didn’t have enough information to make it into an article.

  When Mary tapped lightly on my door, I jumped in shock, barely stifling a scream. This was no way for an experienced operative to behave, I told myself firmly as I forced my breathing to return to normal.

  Mary grinned as she eased her way into my room, but whether she was amused by my reaction or by something else, I wasn’t sure. “Shouldn’t be long now, miss,” she said. “Your Lord Henry was forced to join the governor for port and cigars after dinner, but he declined the cigar. He was out of there within half an hour.”

  “They don’t have much to talk about without arguing,” I said, trying not to smile as I imagined the awkward scene. I wasn’t sure which of them would have hated it the most.

  “Both of them went off to their rooms, and I believe the governor’s valet has already left him for the night.”

  I put my book down and stood. “So it’s time?”

  “It is.”

  “I’ll get my coat and hat.”

  “You won’t need that. Just come with me.” She stuck her head out into the hallway before gesturing for me to follow.

  I was curious about where I was going and how, without a coat. The weather was quite brisk. Did the Mechanics here have tunnels like in New York? Or did they have some fantastic conveyance that kept us out of the elements?

  The truth proved to be rather disappointing. Mary opened the hidden door at the end of the hall that took us into the servants’ staircase, where two black coats hung over the railing. Mary handed me one of them, along with a black felt hat, and said “You put that on, and I’ll go get your handsome lord.” She went back out into the hallway.

  I slipped on the coat, which was plain and made of rough material. The hat, likewise, was simple and unremarkable. I realized that she must be disguising us as servants. With so many temporary staff brought in for the governor’s visit, no one in the household was likely to notice an unfamiliar face.

  Mary returned with Henry a moment later. He’d changed from dinner attire into the kind of tweed suit he usually wore to go searching for insects. He put on his plain coat and a black Derby hat, and we followed Mary down the stairs to the servants’ hall.

  There, we waited while she put on her own coat and hat. She paused for a moment, studying us, before giving us a curt nod. “You’ll pass, I think.” We joined the flow of temporary staff who weren’t living at the house as they left for the day. If they suspected there were impostors among them, they showed no sign of noticing, though I doubted they cared all that much. As we passed through the servants’ door, Mary signaled to a boy standing nearby. He ran over to us.

  “These are the friends I told you about,” she said to him. “When they come back, you’re to let them in and get them to the servants’ stairs, without lettin’ anyone else know. Have ye got that?”

  “Got it!” he said, snapping to attention like a soldier who’d been given an order.

  Henry took a silver coin out of his pocket and handed it to the boy. “Here’s to thank you for your trouble, and there’ll be another just like it once we make it safely back to our rooms.”

  The boy’s eyes went as wide as the coin as he studied it carefully. “Yes, sir!” he said.
“You can count on me. My name’s Harry. Ask for me if you need me, but I’m the hall boy tonight, so I’ll be the one to open the door.”

  “Harry, eh?” Henry said. “My name’s Henry, but my brother used to call me Harry.”

  Harry beamed. “We Harrys have to stick together, sir.”

  Mary gave Henry an approving nod before nudging us to get going. The servants’ door opened into a space under the house’s front steps, and we had to climb a short flight of stairs to reach the sidewalk. We walked past a row of grand mansions like the one we’d just left, and I hoped Henry was sure of the address because they all looked alike to me. I wouldn’t know which one to return to.

  After a few blocks, the houses were a little less grand. They were tall and narrow, shoved together in a row. A few more blocks, and we reached a neighborhood of shabby tenements. The streets were more lively here, with people out and about. Some shops were still open, and loud voices came from within pubs. Henry edged closer to me, and his glance darted warily around our surroundings.

  Mary led us to a set of steps down to a basement apartment and rapped on the door in a distinctive sequence. A moment later, the door opened, and we entered into a darkened vestibule. A bright light suddenly hit me in the face, blinding me. I threw up a hand to shield my eyes from the glare.

  “Are these the ones?” a voice behind the light asked.

  “Yes, they’re the ones from New York,” Mary said. “Colin vouched for them.”

  “This way,” the voice said. Abruptly, the light swung around and lit the way for us down a short hallway to another door. I blinked, trying to readjust my eyes to the darkness so I could follow.

  Once that door opened, we found ourselves in a large room lit by electric lights. I saw then that the light that had met us was set into the band of a top hat worn by one of the most attractive men I’d ever encountered. He looked like something out of one of the paintings hanging in the halls of the Lyndon mansion. His cheekbones were chiseled, his jaw strong and square, with the slightest hint of cleft in his chin. When he swept the top hat off his head to bow to me, he revealed wavy golden hair. Although he wore the eclectic mix of styles favored by the Rebel Mechanics, he seemed to have visited a tailor after taking items from the rag bag, for his clothes were perfectly fitted to his form. And what a form! He had broad shoulders and a barrel-like chest, with his torso tapering to narrow hips.