by Grant Eagar
Henry felt a white hot burning in his arm and glancing down saw a trickle of blood run down his sleeve. He fainted dead away. Later when he awoke he lay on a table with a surgeon working on his arm. He felt groggy from the sedative. Glancing about he saw four bodies of inventors who had been shot. Two more appeared to be severally wounded and received medical treatment. Why must they put me with all the corpses? I’m not dead or maybe I’m dead after all. He then lost conscience again.
When he awoke Sophie stood next to him. She held his hand and stared off into the distance with a troubled expression on her face. There was sadness and concern. She finally realized he was awake. With a forced smile she said, “Henry, I'm sorry this has happened to you. I had no idea they would go to this extent. This is entirely my fault. I wish I could stay with you, but ... well there is something I have to do.” Before he could answer she hurried away with a troubled expression on her face.
The whole room slowly spun and Henry struggled to maintain consciousness. He considered the scientists who had been killed; they were those who had created the solution to the super weapon. If he had not covered his carnation and turned he would have been killed as well.
Later Angelica appeared at his side with her mother. The middle aged woman pointed at the wound and said to Angelica, “Look my dear if the bullet had been a couple inches to the right; we would've been rid of him; tsk, tsk, such a shame.”
Henry winked at her mother, “I haven’t even married her yet and we already get on so well. I love you too mum dearest. So you have come to gloat have you? Well gloat away.”
Angelica had a pained expression on her face. “Don’t talk this way; don’t you know it hurts me to see you this way? Have some compassion for my nerves. You were almost a hero.”
Henry glanced at the two and asked, “Almost?”
LATER THAT NIGHT:
Sophie stood on a narrow ledge under a bridge, the lapping canal mere inches from her boots. She peered out of the shadows at a boat drifting with the current. She crossed herself and hoisted a portable cannon onto her shoulder. She put the crosshairs on Hammond and leaned the cannon against the brick wall for support. When the small boat #41 which held him and his conspirators floated under the bridge, she gave a wry smile. “You traitorous bastard!”
Hammond glanced at her in surprise. “Sophie, is that you? Put the damn thing down you’ll hurt yourself. Come and join the cause; you know England will soon fall and you’ll be ruled by the count. With the powerful weapon Goliath at his disposal, you have no chance.”
“Hammond, you betrayed your country in the name of expediency? I may not survive this war, but I sure as hell can blow you to the nether world.”
His eyes narrowed. “Sorry, my dear, but I feel our relationship has come to an end.” He reached inside his jacket and quickly pulled out a pistol.
She whispered, “Au Renoir,” then triggered the igniter as he pulled the trigger. A loud bang shattered the silence as her missile detonated upon the boat. She fought back a sob, blew a kiss at the billowing fire cloud and tossed the cannon into the canal. She glanced down at her leg where Hammond’s bullet had nicked her. She staggered off into the fog.
I know I’m going to get a lecture when they find out I’ve been shot. I shouldn’t have said anything. The mission was to detonate boat 41 when it came under the bridge at 12:15 AM. I had to know if it truly was Hammond on board. That almost got me killed. It was my fault that Henry and the other scientists had been shot, thus it was my place to remedy the situation.
CHAPTER 8
The Fight Continues
Two weeks later-
Henry went into the barn, watered Matilda then walked over to the air ship and ran his hand over the wing. His other hand had a bandage around his forearm. He felt the cold reality of the war and his own foolishness haunted him. He had been so enamored with his other inventions, when the airship which could have helped in the war remained untouched. He sat next to Matilda and stroked her leaves. “I have been a fool.” She in turn probed his injured arm and sprouted bright yellow flowers all over to help cheer him up.
“Thanks Matilda, you always make me feel better.” With some help from Briggs he then mounted his horse and made his way to work. He walked inside the sewing room where they mobbed him. Mister Badger shook his good hand. “Henry, it's an honor to see you again. When we heard you’d been wounded we were worried. It’s wonderful to see you back at work. There have been a lot of customers looking for you, business has been booming.”
Henry smiled. “I'm glad I can be of some service. It's a small price to pay for all you've done for me.” He changed into a vest and work pants and took clients; there was a long line of customers waiting to speak with him. The newspaper had made him out to be a hero: one of the few survivors of those who had been marked for death. They made the most of the wound he had sustained and he was too ashamed to tell them the bullet had passed through the fleshy part of his arm without doing any real damage.
He smiled at the customers and took the first one in line. He led a woman to a rack of dresses and asked her to choose a pattern which pleased her.
The middle aged woman said, “It’s brave of you to come to work after what you've been through. You are truly a fine young man.” She patted the arm which had been wounded and when he winced she pulled back in aghast. “You poor boy, I am so sorry.”
“I am fine enough mam; this is just a flesh wound. Now which of these dresses suits your fancy?”
In the early afternoon he spied several children playing in front of the shop. I don’t know how long I have; perhaps I should concentrate on some of the simple things in life? He turned to Mister Badger and said, “Things have slowed down, I'll be back in a bit.” He left the shop and performed several magic tricks for the children with his good arm.
A quarter of an hour later Sophie showed up accompanied by her driver, they watched Henry's performance. Finally Sophie approached him, “Henry, can I speak with you for a moment.”
He walked up to her and pulled a flower out of her ear which he pinned to her dress. “Good afternoon my dear, it’s a pleasure to see you. Have you come to finish me off?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I'm sorry you were attacked at my home, I’m sorry you got involved in this great mess. I must confess I used you as bait for some of our enemies, but I didn’t think things would get as crazy as they have. I just wanted to find out what our enemies were up to and if they had ties to Von-Friedrich. Unfortunately they took the issue much farther than I ever imagined. They have been emboldened with the count’s recent military successes.”
Henry looked at her steadily. “I've been under the impression for quite some time that I was part of one of your games. I just didn't know which one, thank you for enlightening me.”
She cocked her head to a side and raised an eyebrow. Henry is that all? No anger, no yelling, no I don't ever want to see you again?”
He offered her a thin smile and said, “When the popper deigns to dance with the princess he always ends up looking the fool.” He sighed, “But alas, knowing you were simply playing me for the fool does make matters much clearer and this knowledge does relieve my mind. I must go now; I have customers waiting for me which I need to attend to.” He offered a slight bow with a wan smile, turned, then walked back inside the shop. `
Several minutes later he noticed an odd gentleman glancing in the window at him with three other men standing nearby. It is unnerving that there’s so much competition for my head. Henry felt his neck and examined himself in a nearby mirror. My head isn't overly handsome but it’s all I've got.
He called for the next customer and Angelica appeared. He glanced up in surprise. So another one who has an avid interest in my death. “Good afternoon Angelica, How may I be of service to you?”
She straightened the pleats on her blue dress and toyed with a button in her bodice. “Henry, I apologize for getting emotional about the whole infatuation with Sophie thing.” She glance
d around and stepped to a hat stand. “I'm interested in hats today. I wonder if you are aware of one which would match my dress.”
Henry took several steps back and made a square with his fingers and placed her inside the square. He took a blue and yellow hat with bows and small white flowers. He trimmed it a bit and attached it to her hair with a pin. He led her over to a full length mirror and said, “There Angelica, I daresay you look lovely. Let me give you this hat as a peace offering.”
While he wrapped up her package she was quiet, finally as he handed it to her she offered him a wan smile and said, “I know now you are unworthy of me and my regard for you is misplaced, but I do forgive you. I-I also would like to ask for your forgiveness for hitting you. That is unbecoming of a lady and beneath me.”
Henry took her hand and kissed it. “Apology accepted. I hope our friendship is intact.”
She gave him a curtsey and when she left the shop a carriage pulled up in front of the shop. A footman opened the door for her and she and her governess stepped inside.
Henry glanced at the group of men who waited for him. No use turning down an escape which is offered to you. He grabbed an enormous hat and put it on. The top-hat drowned him, he pulled up his collar to hide his face then he quickly stepped into the open door of the carriage and sat next to Angelica opposite to her governess.
Angelica gave him a surprised look. “Sorry my dear, but I needed to get away; unwanted friends and all. I hope you don't mind. I need to create a bit of a diversion so they can’t see my face.”
“We could pretend to be kissing.” said Angelica with a wink. She embraced him and put her lips to his. She gave him a little kiss which he responded in kind. “That wasn’t much of a kiss.”
“Well I thought we’re just pretending,” said Henry.
“Well the little peck wasn’t very convincing. I think we should make more of a show of it,” said Angelica. She then kissed him full on the mouth then explored his mouth with her tongue. Her governess, Brunhilda, began whacking him with a parasol as the carriage drew away. While kissing her Henry raised his elbow to shield himself from the governess, he opened his eyes, glanced about, and noticed Sophie staring directly at him. Henry's eyes widened and Sophie winked at him. She quickly ran over and stepped into the carriage and closed the door behind her.
After they had driven several blocks Henry and Angelica parted. They gasped for breath and Angelica rearranged herself and blushed. Sophie handed her a fan. Miss try this I think the air will help calm you down a bit.”
Henry considered the two girls who looked at him expectantly. Would it have been better to have fought the agents of Von-Friedrich or to face the two girls? “Sophie, this is Angelica, a customer and a friend.” Then turning to Angelica he said, “This is Sophie, an old friend of the family.”
Angelica raised her eyebrows. “Have we met before your voice sounds familiar?”
Sophie said, “I think we were introduced at the party at my home.”
While staring at Sophie, Angelica asked, “Henry, is this the girl who donated to your invention fund?”
Henry glanced at Sophie and said, “Why yes, she did donate to my fund, how did you know?” He then glanced at Angelica who stared coldly at Sophie. “Sophie was I not supposed to tell her you'd donated to the fund.”
Sophie smirked. “I remember her now, did she not have a rather large bottom and had to sit down quite a bit during the party because it pained her.”
“No Missy, you must be thinking of yourself and the pain your tiny bottom will soon be experiencing.”
“You don’t seem to have enjoyed it much.”
“It was alright though a bit of weak sauce, I anxiously await the opportunity to show you how it’s to be properly done, don’t worry your time will come.”
“I look forward to it.” They rode in icy silence for a ways.
Henry oblivious to the impending battle let his imagination take over:
Sophie would say “Let me demonstrate how dear Henry is to me.” She then would grab Henry and passionately kiss him. This would last for several minutes and finally she would sit back and Angelica would say, “Let me demonstrate how dear he is to me.” She would pull Henry over to her seat and madly kiss him. There are times in a young man's life when the heavenly choirs are singing-
There was a thud and he came back to reality. The driver and footman tumbled off the top of the carriage into the ditch. The door opened and two agents of Von-Friedrich attempted to enter. Henry kicked the one in the chest and he went tumbling into a ditch. Before the other one could enter Sophie shot him with a derringer, slammed the door and locked it from the inside while the other Von agents climbed up on top. There were several oaths as the men urged the horses on. The carriage soon flew down the street with the horses at full gallop.
Angelica went pale and glanced at the derringer in Sophie's hand. “Y-you shot a man, what kind of a girl are you?” She then glanced up at the ceiling. “What are they going to do with us?!”
Henry motioned to a pot full of biscuits and a small tea serving. “Angelica, do you mind?”
Angelica's eyes narrowed. “You can think of food at a time like this? I suppose I could expect no less from you. Worry about your stomach when we’re on death’s door.”
Henry took a biscuit and offered the pot to the others. None of them accepted. He took a sip of tea for a mile while deep in thought. “I suppose we must be rescued. The fools are far from being subtle.”
Sophie, who was busy reloading her pistol, glanced out the window. “I don't feel these rogues have our best interest at heart. I think it would be prudent to do something soon while we’re still in a public venue.”
Henry considered her. “Excellent suggestion, I agree they are definitely up to no good.”
The governess whimpered. “We saw their faces; kidnappers never let you live once you've seen their faces. We’re doomed. We’re all going to die.”
Sophie gave her a wan smile. “I liked you better when you whacked Henry. I thought governesses were made of stouter stuff than this. 'We’re all going to die?' I'll have you know if Molly, my governess, were here she would’ve already driven the riff raff off.”
This had the desired effect on the middle aged woman, who sat up straight and stared stoically about.
Angelica glanced at Henry. “Wouldn't this be a good time for some action?”
Sophie raised her eyebrows and added, “Yes Henry, I daresay now is high time you did something heroic.”
Henry glanced up from his tea in surprise. “Me? Well if I must. Angelica, I appreciate the ride and give your servants my deepest apologies when you see them again. I assume you can drive the carriage after I draw the rogues away. Sophie do you wish to join me or will you be staying here in the carriage.”
“I would not let you have all the fun,” said Sophie who removed her shoes and her dress.
Angelica looked at them in alarm. “What are you two planning on doing?”
Henry removed his jacket, his vest and his shoes then took Angelica's hands and looked into her eyes. “When the carriage crosses the bridge we'll jump off of course. They'll stop the carriage and run after us. It’s up to you to then climb into the buck seat and escape.”
Sophie handed Angelica her derringer and said, “If you aren’t able to get away this will provide you with a measure of protection. I have reloaded it so it now has two shots in it. Use them wisely. Wait until the black guards are close before shooting them, your chances of hitting them are much better up close.”
The governess took the Derringer. “Angelica you’ve never used one of these, I have so you focus on getting into the buck seat and I’ll handle the black guards.”
Angelica raised an eyebrow. “Well the bridge is coming up, best of luck , break a leg and Sophie I'll settle up with you latter. Don’t you worry, your time will come.”
Sophie grinned. “I would expect no less, just be gentle.” She then turned to Henry. “Shall we?�
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He nodded then took Sophie's hand and they opened the door and jumped from the carriage into the river. The carriage stopped fifty yards up the road and the four agents ran back to where the pair had jumped into the river. The agents shot at them while Angelica climbed up into the buck seat and gave the horses the lash.
When the men saw her they turned and ran after the carriage. One was fast enough to climb aboard the carriage and was shot by the governess and fell off the bridge.
A hundred yards downstream Henry turned to Sophie who swam next to him on her back. “The bloody river is much wider than I had thought. Swimming with one arm is not working very well; hopefully we can catch a ride before I drown.”
She grabbed the back of his jacket and commenced towing him. “Just relax and concentrate on floating on your back, hold on and I'll help you out.”
He noticed a barge coming towards them. “It appears rescue is coming, shall we?”
She nodded and they swam for the boat and the sailors pulled them aboard. They were given thick wool blankets and cups of coffee to warm them. “What were you fools doing swimming in this sewer? If you didn't drown you’ll be sicker than a dog!” yelled a large man.
Henry sighed and shook his head and scowled. “I understand problems with a woman can get a man to thinking it’s time to end it all, but problems with two women will get you wishing to end it all much quicker.”
Sophie grinned. “But having to woo two women brings out your best. I daresay your life was less exciting and boring before you met us?”
“Less exciting and boring’ can be a good thing now that I think of it. At the very least leading a boring life will extend my existence.”
Henry asked the sailors to drop them off at a pier and they were picked up by a cab. He and Sophie wrapped in blankets climbed into the carriage.
