by A. W. Exley
The queen arched an eyebrow. Perhaps she didn’t approve of reading what some would term romantic novels to a dragon. “And what do you think of Miss Anne Elliot?”
Rachel held the book to her chest. “I agree with Captain Wentworth, ma’am. Anne Elliot displayed a most fickle and inconstant temperament. If I ever truly loved someone, I would not allow myself to be persuaded otherwise by friends and family.”
Cara glanced to Nate, who stood by the barn door. There was something to give him nightmares in the years to come. If Rachel made up her mind to love what her adopted father considered the wrong man, it would be an epic battle of the wills between them to change her mind.
A smile broke over the queen’s face. “Well said, young lady. Women can be every bit as determined as any man. Do not succumb to the notion that ours is the weaker sex, and do not let anyone sway you from your chosen path.”
“I won’t, ma’am.” Rachel beamed up at Cara.
Oh dear. No one would ever deny that the queen possessed determination. She had taken her crown and enlarged the British Empire. Cara wondered what Rachel would achieve if she displayed even a fraction of the queen’s drive?
Now was the time to turn the conversation back to dragons and away from world domination. “It is quite safe to pat Pavlin if you wish, ma’am. Her scales are surprisingly soft and warm.”
The queen stepped towards the dragon. The courtiers and bodyguards inhaled a collective breath, as though they expected the creature to unhinge her jaw and swallow the monarch whole.
Victoria reached out and stroked the dragon’s neck, and the creature cooed in response.
“How extraordinary, like silk over chain mail,” the queen murmured.
“Pavlin likes to have her head scratched, ma’am.” Rachel adopted the role of instructor and showed the queen how to use her nails to ease the itchy spots.
Next Cara asked Pavlin to extend her right wing, so the queen could inspect the damage.
“The bounty hunters shot her with a harpoon and pulled it back, which shredded the membrane and broke the bone,” Cara said as she pointed out the injured areas. Not that anyone could miss the scars that covered her wing. As time passed, they faded from angry red to silver. Her family all wore battle scars in one form or another. Outward symbols that they had triumphed over what had sought to destroy them.
“Do you have a doctor versed in dragons who did this work?” Victoria traced a silver line.
“Not as such. We are fortunate to have a student doctor in residence who used textbooks on avian bone structure to determine how to fix the break.” A shame that Amy had returned to London for her studies and couldn’t explain to the queen herself how she had set the break.
“We have reviewed the legislation proposed by Lord Lyons and have decided to implement it in England. In the future, it will be an act of treason to attack our dragons,” the queen said as she patted Pavlin.
“Thank you, ma’am. That is a great relief. Will there be an international treaty to protect these creatures worldwide?” Cara pushed their good fortune a little further. McToon deserved to be showered in gold for the thorough law he drafted.
“In time. We are seeking diplomatic agreement with Russia and China first, since only our nations are home to these animals,” the queen said.
Cara wondered if she and Nate would be involved. She longed to return to Russia and to see Natalie and Nicolai.
“We shall inspect the other two.” The queen nodded to Pavlin and then strode from the barn back into the sunlight. Her ladies, courtiers, and bodyguards trailed behind.
Outside in the courtyard sat Kirill and slightly behind him, Calypso. As the queen approached, he reared up on his hind legs and flapped his wings. The guards rushed to protect the queen, placing her behind them as they aimed their rifles at the dragon.
Nate walked between them, gripped a rifle, and pushed it down to aim at the ground. “It’s merely a display, showing that he has better wings than the Alexandrina.”
Cara moved, as fast as she could, to stand by Nate and before the dragons. “He does not mean any harm, it’s a male thing. I’m sure Mr Darwin wrote about it. When he was with us, he observed how Kirill interacted with airships.”
“Can you not tell it to sit? Or are they not able to follow basic commands like dogs?” The queen stayed behind her guards as she peered at the much larger male dragon.
Kirill snorted and sat back on his haunches. He swung his head to Cara and snorted again. She stroked his muzzle. “No, ma’am. Dragons are highly intelligent creatures, but I have found that, as with cats, one suggests a course of action to a dragon and they consider it.”
The queen narrowed her eyes as she regarded the dragon. “When will they start breeding? We wish to establish a dragon regiment within our aeronautical corps.”
Ah. There was the reason for the queen’s visit. She wanted to know when she would have little dragons to train up and send off to war.
“They are not yet fully grown, ma’am. They should reach maturity at age two, and breeding could occur any time after that,” Nate answered.
“You will have a care for any eggs, Lord Lyons, and hand them to us. We will not forgive you losing them a second time.” The queen met Nate’s gaze.
Cara’s breath came shallow in her chest. How could she ever hand over Kirill’s children to be trained as soldiers? She dropped her face to the dragon’s and pressed her cheek to his scales. She would think of something when the time came.
The queen walked around both dragons and inspected them from nose to tail. She asked a number of intelligent, thoughtful questions about their behaviour and diet.
“We would talk to Lady Lyons in private before we depart.” The queen stared at her entourage, who all took several steps backwards and then stared at their feet.
Cara frowned at Nate, but he shrugged. She hoped she wasn’t in trouble. Surely there was nothing for the queen to complain about in how she cared for the dragons? Kirill and Calypso were in fine health and Pavlin improved daily.
“We shall walk this way.” The queen struck off across the lawn towards the overgrown tangle that was once a formal garden.
The walks were still visible between the neglected beds, and just wide enough for two people. The lime chip crunched under foot and would warn of anyone approaching from behind.
Cara fell into step next to the queen. At least she didn’t have to jog to keep up. The monarch walked with a similar rolling waddle.
When they were far beyond the reach of curious ears, the queen began to talk. “I would speak to you as one woman to another.”
Cara blinked. Victoria had dropped referring to herself in the third person. This was serious.
The queen gestured to Cara’s expansive middle. “I know that your time looms, and for the first-time mother, it can be a most terrifying event.”
Unconsciously, Cara’s hands went to her stomach. She curled one hand underneath to support the weight and the other on top, as though she held a globe. “Quite terrifying, ma’am. Childbirth has a high fatality rate for my maternal line, and I confess I am not yet ready to leave this earth.”
The queen reached out and snagged a leaf from a weeping silver pear as they passed its drooping form. “When my confinement came, I was grateful for two things. The first was Albert, who despite doctors trying to order him from the room, stayed to give me strength.”
Cara hoped Nate would likewise lend her strength. Although with their bond she could do it more literally than just digging her nails into his palm. “And the second thing, ma’am?”
“A necklace from my mother. It may seem foolish, but with every child I have kept the piece with me. I believe it allowed my mother to watch over me so that I, and my child, would make the arduous journey through the birth unharmed.” The queen tightened her fingers around the leaf until it disappeared within her fist.
“Your Majesty is indeed blessed to have had such help available to you.” What Cara needed w
as an artifact that would do the same for her and the child. For all their searching through dusty tomes, Malachi had not found anything to guarantee a successful birth.
The queen opened her fist and let the scrunched leaf flutter to the ground. Next, her hand disappeared into the tiny pocket in her jacket, and she withdrew a small necklace. “I would gift this to you, Lady Lyons. I pray that it sees you and the babe through your trial safely.”
Cara took the locket in her hand. It was a plain and inexpensive-looking thing. The round pendant was engraved with a mother holding a child that reminded her of a Saint Christopher charm, kept for good luck while travelling. Although homely with no fancy jewels, it still had the aura of something much loved with a worn surface from being handled.
“Your Majesty is too generous, to give up something with such great sentimental value.” She glanced up at the queen.
A sad smile crossed the queen’s face, and she laid her hands over Cara’s and closed her fingers over the locket. “I think it is fitting that my hand delivers it to yours. Our lives are much intertwined, Lady Lyons.”
Cara stared at their hands. A slight tingle ran up her arms and then vanished. Could it be…?
“You really do need a decent gardener. This garden is in shocking condition and isn’t fit for company.” The queen walked away, back to her waiting entourage.
Cara followed in a daze, the small item clutched in her hands as she watched the brass and steel elevator take the queen and her people back up into the belly of the airship.
Nate watched the doors close underneath. “What did the queen want with you?”
“She gave me an old necklace and said she would pray that I have a successful birth.” She held out her hand. Sunlight caressed the gold pendant at the end of the short chain, but cold dread sank into Cara’s bones.
22
September
Three weeks later, business called Nate back to London, and despite the arched eyebrows and frowns from her family, Cara decided to go with him.
“I might be the size of an airship, but that doesn’t preclude me from travelling in one,” she grumbled as Nate helped her out of Bobby on the roof of the Mayfair house.
The last few weeks she had been plagued by exhaustion. The growing child took a toll on her mentally and physically as she snatched whatever sleep she could. Today an odd restlessness ran through her limbs, and for the first time in months, she felt energised.
The babe had moved within her and sat lower. The change in her shape unnerved Cara, and part of her wanted to cross her legs in case the child slipped out. Amy and the midwife reassured her it was normal and that labour could still be some days, if not weeks, away. That wasn’t the news she wanted. With the child further down, it seemed her bladder had shrunk again. No wonder she had extra energy; she needed it for walking back and forth to the bathroom.
She spent the morning reading through applications for the position of nanny. They all seemed suitable to her. When one had no experience of infants how did you judge if another was capable of shouldering the task? Considering their odd family, she should have asked them their experience with dragons, ability to shoot, and how fast they could run while carrying a child.
“I’m going for a walk.” Cara tossed the last letter of application onto the pile and leaned on the back of the sofa to leverage herself up.
“Is that a wise move in your condition?” Brick frowned over the top of the newspaper.
While Cara loved her family dearly, the constant mollycoddling was wearing her last nerve thin. It took a monumental effort, not unlike that needed to stand, to stop herself from snapping. “You have two choices. I can stay inside and try sliding down the banister with you playing catch below, or I can waddle down to the end of the road and back, wear myself out, and then sleep until dinner. Which do you prefer?”
“I’ll see if your resident doctor is free to accompany us, just in case.” Brick pulled on his jacket and walked out into the hall.
By the time Cara had made it to the entranceway, he had fetched Amy.
“Feeling restless?” Amy asked as she pulled on gloves.
“Yes. I’ve been restless all morning and my back aches. I need to walk out a few cramps.” Cara rubbed her swollen abdomen. There were days when she wondered if the child would ever emerge and let this all be over. She hated waiting. Why wasn’t the baby done baking yet?
“A little exercise won’t hurt, and I’ll be with you. If anything happens, we can send Brick for the carriage.” Amy dropped a small hat on her head and looked around for one for Cara.
A straw hat was pressed onto Cara’s short hair, and then Amy waved cotton gloves at her.
“No.” People had taken enough liberties with her body already. Gloves were not going to happen. She was sure her fingers had swollen along with the rest of her. The hat would at least shade her eyes from the summer sun, but she refused to wear anything else. Even the loose-fitting dress annoyed her, but strolling nude would probably push society’s tolerance for her antics too far.
Amy dropped the gloves back onto the side table. “Very well. I’ll not upset my patient by insisting.”
Outside in the driveway, Cara took Brick’s arm. He would hover by her anyway, so she may as well hold on to him in case she stumbled. Walking became a fraught activity when you could no longer see where you placed your feet.
“How are your studies progressing, Amy?” Cara needed a distraction from the ache building inside her.
“Term finals have been released, and I am still top of my class.” A smile of pure joy lit her friend’s face. “You should hear the male students grumble.”
Cara managed a laugh. “They will have to work harder if they want to snatch top position from you. I am very proud of you, Amy. You have truly blossomed over the last year.”
Once through the main gates, they turned right and headed into the throng of daily life.
“I couldn’t have done it without Jack. He was the one who encouraged me to pursue my dream. He even cooks dinner so I can study in the evenings.” Gold glinted on Amy’s left hand. Marriage had added a fresh radiance to her face.
Cara had given up trying to understand the attraction between the delicate rose and the battered henchman. She likened them to Beauty and the Beast. Amy softened his hard edges, and in return he revealed the hidden strength and determination in the young woman. No one could deny that they loved each other fiercely, and perhaps one day they would start their own family.
Cara hoped it might be soon and their children could run riot over the Lowestoft estate. Hopefully the dragons wouldn’t mistake them for nude sheep or a new type of hors d’oeuvre.
“As for you, Patrick, I am going to miss you when you leave us.” Cara nudged his shoulder.
A sad smile flickered across his face. “I’m only moving along the road a bit. It’s not like I’m moving to another country, and I’ll still visit.”
“You had better. I value your opinion when I have fittings at my modiste. Assuming I ever get my figure back.” Cara tried to stare at her feet, but they had vanished some weeks ago. She knew they must be there because she was upright and moving.
“Will it be a large wedding? I hear an invitation is as sought after as tickets to the boxing match were,” Amy said.
The suggestion that Cara put forward to Lady Sabine had borne fruit. A friendship and mutual understanding sprang up between the noblewoman and the duke, resulting in what society gushed over as a fairytale romance. The truth was far more prosaic and involved detailed legal contracts wrapped in the utmost secrecy. McToon had once again done marvellous work and submitted another ridiculously expensive invoice. However, for once Nate didn’t have to pay, as Clarence settled the bill.
Brick halted Cara as a group of laughing women pushed past. He waited until they walked on before answering. “Clarence and Lady Sabine want to keep it private. Neither wants a spectacle, and I think Esther fears Sabine might decide to put her aside and fully embr
ace married life.”
Guilt was a heavy stone in Cara’s stomach, adding to the downward pressure. The four people shouldn’t have to disguise their love, but the pretence would satisfy society and leave them all in peace. “It’s not an easy path for any of you, but I do wish you years of happiness together.”
A rumble sounded through Brick. “Sabine and Clarence are actors and have to play their roles in society’s theatrical performances, but that doesn’t mean they love us any the less. Esther needs time to realise that, but I can’t blame her for her apprehension. Clarence is a superb specimen, as most of society knows, thanks to you.”
The boxing match had increased Clarence’s standing in society. Women still gossiped about the night and how the dark demon had knocked out their shining knight. Whenever Clarence appeared, women twittered behind their fans about the physique covered by the fine cut of his clothes. A black market had sprung up for the advertising posters, and they traded hands at ridiculously high prices.
Like the mother hen she had become, Cara worried over the happiness of her friends. “Society will continue to gossip, nothing will ever stop that. Not that it is any of their business, and they should keep their sticky beaks out. But if the barbs ever become too much, know that you and Clarence will always be considered part of our family and we will always support you. I hope that over time Lady Sabine and Esther will also become our friends.”
Brick kissed her cheek. “You’re quite a woman. Thank you for all you’ve done for us.”
The weight of the world pressed on her, and the ache at the base of her spine reached upward. “I wish I could do more. If I could create a world where everyone was free to love whoever their hearts chose, I would.”
That Clarence and Lady Sabine had to bow to society’s rigid expectations was wrong. But the four of them together were stronger than four individuals, and with the support of their friends, each couple could now build a happy future.
A sharp pain radiated from the middle of Cara’s back and shot around her stomach. She stifled a cry and gripped Brick’s arm.