“Leaving us that many less to fight, if what you say is true,” Mother Mary said.
“I do not know how many are among your number,” Gloria said earnestly, “but if somehow we can return to Resolution to collect the armaments left aboard the train, at least you would have a fighting chance—and they would have lost their investment, which can only work in our favor. I certainly—I cannot imagine the company will want them back.”
Mother Mary looked astonished. “Do we look like the sort to ride a mechanical cavalry? Unless it can swim, I can’t see the use in it.”
“You look like the sort to use any means at hand to protect your homes,” Gloria retorted. “If you are to be the first under attack, do you not think it would be wise to have some form of defense?”
“We’ve done just fine depending on the river for that,” the witch called Clara said from where she sat near the table. “Californios don’t come any more.”
“They are afraid of you,” Gloria allowed. “But de Aragon—he is not afraid. He loves the gold he thinks you have. He is a man willing to take the risk and is completely confident that he will win.”
Mother Mary and Captain Stan exchanged a look that Gloria could not read.
“I will think about what you’ve said,” the witch said at last. “Spend some time in church praying for guidance from the Great Mother. This invasion—it’s not likely to happen tomorrow, is it?”
“No,” Gloria said slowly. “But the locomotive—Silver Wind is its name—will arrive in San Francisco without its cargo and without me. Reinforcements will be sent to Resolution to collect the mechanicals and armaments, and then it will begin. You have less than a month, and that is a generous estimate.”
“A month, eh?” Mother Mary’s gaze lay on her, cool as water. “What luck that you washed out of that chute to bring us this news.”
She was losing them. Gloria scrambled to find proof that would convince them—without revealing who she was. Only one thing presented itself.
“I think perhaps the Great Mother might have had a hand in it,” she said. “For I certainly felt myself in the presence of something otherworldly in your cathedral—and she did not allow the Californios’ feet to walk on sacred ground, did she?”
“She certainly did not. That is why we will allow you to stay, since clearly you have her blessing.” Mother Mary clapped her hands. “Enough of wars and rumors of wars. Let us have music, and dancing—and who is with me for a round of cowboy poker?”
The crowd broke up as the banjo and a fiddle players found their way into a tune. Someone shouted, “Longways, for as many as will!” and several of the men grabbed a witch for a partner while other witches partnered each other. Two lines formed, and Gloria had a moment to wonder how on earth they knew the contradance, this far out in the wilderness, before she was whirled into line.
She found herself partnered by Captain Stan, but that would never do. He did not believe her, and while she was not convinced that Mother Mary did, either, she would certainly not subject herself to his control in anything, even a dance under the stars. She pretended not to hear when he attempted to make conversation, and at the end of the first figure, she accepted another partner with wounding alacrity.
And then she was invited to waltz, and then to sing, and then to play cowboy poker, at which she proved herself so adept thanks to Claire’s and Alice’s excellent tutelage, that she earned herself twenty dollars in silver. By the time the witches had plied her with drink and the third boatman had proposed marriage, she was breathless with laughter and amazement at finding such camaraderie in such a place.
And then Captain Stan swept her out for a waltz, his arm so strong about her waist that it would cause more difficulty to refuse than to accept. So she did as she had been taught at St. Cecelia’s, and leaned back against his arm as he whirled her across the flagstones, her hand properly upon his shoulder and the stars so close above that they seemed to burn in the night sky.
“You’ve been very elusive,” he said, drawing her closer to speak into her ear, and guiding her as expertly in the turns as any London gentleman in a Mayfair ballroom, though his accents were colonial.
“I may be as elusive as I please,” she informed him, her chin tilted.
“And you’re very good at cowboy poker. Better than I am, and that’s saying something.”
“I had very good teachers.”
“I could offer you a job fleecing passengers, if you’d like it.”
“No, thank you. I have a war to stop.”
“So you say.”
“So I mean. I do not care if you don’t believe me, Captain. If I must do it myself on the back of a mechanical horse, then I shall.”
He gazed down at her, and she was compelled to meet his gaze, for to avoid it would have put her at a disadvantage.
“Who are you, really, Miss Meredith Aster?”
“Someone who hates war,” she replied, “and the destruction and loss of homes and families that goes with it.”
“But you are more than that,” he said. “I wonder how long it would take me to find out?”
“What business is it of yours, sir?”
“None,” he said baldly.
“I should as well wonder why a gentleman of such skill upon the dance floor and in conversation should find himself on a riverboat in forbidden territory instead of in a fine house among good society.”
“I have plenty of good society, present company included.”
“But you have not answered me.”
“Nor shall I.” His eyes creased in a smile. “I can keep secrets as well as you. But I’m quite sure that mine will not affect the outcome of a war like yours will.”
She did not miss his choice of words. “So you believe me after all—that it is coming and your friends will be among the first to see it?”
“I believe that you did not happen here by chance. That a young woman washed up by the river does not have eyes like yours and yet make up such stories for her own entertainment. I believe in whispers on the wind, and in little birds, and in the overturning of rocks. All of which tend to add up when great changes are afoot in the world.”
“Great changes are set into motion by ordinary people,” she murmured.
Look at Claire, and Alice, and Andrew, and the Mopsies. Her friends had affected the course of history. She would never have believed even six months ago that she might follow in their footsteps, but it seemed that she was destined to play a similar part.
No, that was not right. She had chosen to play a similar part the moment she had discovered her cousin Sydney’s betrayal. And now she must see the course she had set for herself all the way to its conclusion.
“I agree with you on that score, at least, Miss Aster,” her partner said, and whirled her across the flagstones with such grace that she almost felt as though she were flying, her laughter carried away by the changing wind.
EPILOGUE
Dearest Claire,
I am writing to tell you that Ian and I were married yesterday at the church of San Francisco de Asis in a tiny village in the mountains north of Santa Fe. We would have done the deed in Santa Fe itself, except that Robert Van Ness is now in charge of the Ranger outpost there, and we felt it was best to get as far as we could from anyone who might recognize me.
I am sorry that you and Andrew could not be with us, but life being uncertain, we thought it best to seize joy when the good Lord offers it to us, and not quibble about invitations and toast racks. Jake and Benny made admirable witnesses, and three chickens formed my bridal party. The padre tells me St. Francis would have approved. What a lucky thing you made me buy that silvery silk dress! Ian assures me that we will have a reception at Hollys Park when we return to England—and that he will personally guarantee the absence of royalty.
I don’t think I have ever been so happy. I have a healing hole in my left shoulder and a heart sore with worry, but in spite of all that, I could never have imagined feeling like this.
I can’t think why I was such a baby about being married. It’s completely wonderful.
On a more sober note, our plans have gone awry. Ned Mose betrayed us and is dead. Evan and Gloria are both missing. The only Texican survivors of the Battle of Resolution are the aforesaid bridal party, and Perry Connelly, whom you might remember. We believe the Californio Ambassador has taken Gloria, so our first task is to find and rescue her. Perhaps she may have some clue as to poor Evan’s whereabouts.
I had hoped to be back in England by now, but I know you’ll be the first to agree that we must stay the course and recover our friends. I am deeply grateful that Ian feels the same way. Jake quite likes Gloria, and has taken her disappearance rather personally. We will do our best to send news as we get it.
Jake and Benny send their best regards. They are building an aviary like the one on Athena for Soot, Mrs. Morse, and Rosie. Apparently the red one is very similar in looks and temperament to your bird of fond memory.
Ian sends his love, and begs me to assure you that no harm will come to me. I don’t have the heart to remind him that I’m a better shot than he is, but all the same, I wouldn’t want anyone else at my side, save perhaps you, my dearest friend.
And now I will stop before I embarrass myself.
Affectionately,
Alice, Lady Hollys
Your loving Alice
P.S. Could you inform the Admiralty that Benjamin Stringfellow has been promoted from Midshipman to Gunner, Second Class, effective January 20, 1895. If anything happens to us, I want that on record, at least.
A.H.
THE END
AFTERWORD
Dear reader,
I hope you enjoy reading the adventures of Lady Claire, Gloria, and the gang in the Magnificent Devices world as much as I enjoy writing them. It is your support and enthusiasm that is like the steam in an airship’s boiler, keeping the entire enterprise afloat and ready for the next adventure.
You might leave a review on your favorite retailer’s site to tell others about the books. And you can find print, digital, and audiobook editions of the series online. I hope to see you over at my website, www.shelleyadina.com, where you can sign up for my newsletter and be the first to know of new releases and special promotions. You’ll also receive a free short story set in the Magnificent Devices world just for subscribing!
Watch for Fields of Iron, the next book in the Magnificent Devices series, coming in late summer 2016!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RITA Award® winning author and Christy finalist Shelley Adina wrote her first novel when she was 13. The literary publisher to whom it was sent rejected it, but he did say she knew how to tell a story. That was enough to keep her going through the rest of her adolescence, a career, a move to another country, a BA in Literature, an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction, and countless manuscript pages.
Shelley is the author of twenty-four novels published by Harlequin, Time/Warner, and Hachette Book Group, and several more published by Moonshell Books, Inc., her own independent press.
Shelley is a world traveler who loves to imagine what might have been. Between books, she loves playing the piano and Celtic harp, making period costumes, quilting, and spoiling her flock of rescued chickens.
Subscribe to her newsletter here!
Shelley loves to talk with readers about books, chickens, and other interesting things!
@shelleyadina
shelley.adina
www.shelleyadina.com
[email protected]
PRAISE
“This is the first in a series of well-reviewed books set in the steampunk world. For those who like the melding of Victorian culture with the fantastic fantasy of reality-bending science fiction, this one will be right up their alley.” ―READERS’ REALM, ON LADY OF DEVICES
“An immensely fun book in an immensely fun series with some excellent anti-sexist messages, a wonderful main character (one of my favourites in the genre) and a great sense of Victorian style and language that’s both fun and beautiful to read.” ―FANGS FOR THE FANTASY, ON MAGNIFICENT DEVICES
“Adina manages to lure us into the steampunk era with joy and excitement. Her plotline is strong and the cast of characters well interwoven. It’s Adina’s vivid descriptions of Victorian London that make you turn the pages.” ―NOVEL CHATTER
AVAILABLE NOW
The Magnificent Devices steampunk series:
Lady of Devices
Her Own Devices
Magnificent Devices
Brilliant Devices
Magnificent Devices: Books 1–4 Quartet
A Lady of Resources
A Lady of Spirit
Magnificent Devices: Books 5–6 Twin Set
A Lady of Integrity
A Gentleman of Means
Devices Brightly Shining (Christmas novella)
Caught You Looking (romance, Moonshell Bay #1)
Immortal Faith (Mennonite vampire)
The Glory Prep series (faith-based YA):
Glory Prep
The Fruit of My Lipstick
Be Strong and Curvaceous
Who Made You a Princess?
Tidings of Great Boys
The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth
COMING SOON
Fields of Iron, Magnificent Devices #11
Fields of Gold, Magnificent Devices #12
Caught You Listening, Moonshell Bay #2
Caught You Hiding, Moonshell Bay #3
Everlasting Chains, Immortal Faith #2
Twice Dead, Immortal Faith #3
Copyright © 2016 by Shelley Adina Bates. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at www.moonshellbooks.com.
This is a work of science fiction and fantasy. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Interior layout by BookDesignTemplates.com. Cover image by Claudia McKinney at Phat Puppy Studios, with images from DepositPhotos.com, used under license. Cover design by Kalen O’Donnell. Author font by Anthony Piraino at OneButtonMouse.com.
Fields of Air / Shelley Adina—1st ed.
ISBN: 978-1-939087-45-4
Created with Vellum
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
Afterword
About the Author
Praise
Available now
Coming soon
Copyright
(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
Fields of Air: A steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices Book 10) Page 22
