Viridis - A Steampunk Romance

by Calista Taylor

  “No. I wouldn’t think you are.”

  Chapter Twenty Six

  In light of his new findings, William decided to return to Niles’s living quarters and see if he could come across any other information that he might have missed during his first visit.

  After checking with the footman to ensure no one else had entered since the break in, he got the key and then made his way to the second story flat, letting himself in.

  Lilly had thought Special Services were somehow coercing Niles into working for them. But doing what? Trying to get Phoebe’s formula or trying to infiltrate the Cause? It could very well be both. If not for the wealth Phoebe’s formula could bring, then certainly Special Services could make use of the herbal for its effects, especially with her new formulations. If Viridis was any indication of what Phoebe was capable of, he had no doubt her new formula, once she completed it, would be nothing short of incredible. Yes, he could see why they may want access to her work.

  When he had spoken to Phoebe’s maids, they knew of no one who could have had access to Phoebe’s laboratory, but with the two of them so nervous about being questioned, it was difficult to tell if they were being less than truthful. His gut, though, told him at least one of them had been somehow involved. Niles could have very easily bribed one of the girls to gain access or to copy the formulas.

  There was no way of proving any involvement on their part, so he hoped Phoebe would take precautions. She had balked at the idea of letting them go with no evidence to be had, and though it was the honorable thing to do, she took a great chance by keeping them in her home. With luck, she’d take his suggestion to find them employment at Viridis instead, and would also purchase herself a safe box to keep her notes in.

  Getting to the task at hand, he started in Niles’s office, looking for any hiding spots. He pulled each book off the shelf, flipping through it, before putting it back. It was tedious work and yielded little more than a few pieces of paper, but William pressed on, determined to find something to aid his investigation.

  William moved on to the sleeping quarters. A tall wardrobe stood in the corner of the room, the dresser, a matching set, not far on an adjacent wall. Nothing turned up in either piece of furniture, so he moved on to the bed. He had searched all this previously, but at the time, he’d been looking for clues to a simple murder. With the SS involved, his search now widened.

  There was nothing to be had under the bed or under the mattress, but while he was on the ground looking, he remembered Anne and her hiding place. Starting at one end of the room, he got down on bended knee, and started to tap on each board, listening for any change of sound or a loose board. He continued in this manner, checking every plank, and thinking he’d need a new pair of trousers by the time he’d finished even half the room.

  Another thump-thump, thump-thump and then a thump-thunk. He tilted his head, his ear towards the board and tapped again. Thunk. Thunk. Tapping for reference on the adjacent board, he realized the sound was indeed different. Pulling out his pocket knife, he fed the blade between the boards, to lever the loose one up, his heart pounding as it slid out of its spot to reveal a hidden area and his pirate’s treasure.

  ***

  William sat in the comfort of his own home and laid out before him the items from Niles’s apartment. In addition to the pieces of paper, he’d uncovered from the floorboards a stack of letters neatly tied with a red silk ribbon.

  One of the sheets of paper appeared to be a receipt from an accountant, for a deposit of one thousand pounds Sterling— quite the sizable sum. The accountant’s office was located on Baker’s Street.

  Even though Niles came from a wealthy family, it was unusual to transfer such large sums of money. William was starting to suspect Niles planned for the money to make its way to the Cause, however it was unclear whether the money was his or if it was coming from another source, like Special Services. Then again, there was a lot he still did not know about Niles, and the money could have nothing to do with the Cause. Either way, he’d pay the accountant a visit and see what he could learn.

  The other two pieces were of no real importance; just tallies owed, one to a tailor and the other to his gentlemen’s club, Browning’s. It may be worth going to the club to see if anyone might have information that could be of use. William knew men tended to open up to each other in their clubs, the combination of food, drink and smoke, enough to get them to lower their guard. Whether they’d open up to an outsider though, was questionable, though he’d still give it a try.

  Setting the papers aside, William picked up the letters, pulling on one end of the silk ribbon, taking pleasure in the way it slipped loose from itself. Careful to keep them in their current order, he examined each of the envelopes. The paper itself was of good quality. Every single one of them was blank— no names, no addresses. Whoever had sent the letters to Niles had done so either in person or by carrier.

  Careful not to tear the envelope, William removed the letter within, unfolding it. The handwriting was neat and precise, slanting precariously to the right.

  My dearest love,

  Words cannot express the feelings that overcame me when I saw you walk into the room. How I wanted to go to your side. To touch you, to hear you whisper my name, and to know that it cannot be. So I will resign myself to stolen moments, until we can once again find each other in the cover of night. Know that you are in my thought every waking moment and in my dreams every eve.

  I place all my hopes in your hands. May the gods help you succeed in your plan so that we may be together. Until then, I will settle as I must for the little you can give.

  Yours truly

  There was no signature. He thought of Lilly, but the possibility of her penning these letters seemed slight. He doubted she knew how to read or write, and if she did, her hand would not be as well schooled as this.

  Who was Niles’s mistress? Perhaps she was a married woman or betrothed to another? Or was it a simple matter of class, his family one of wealth and status and she not of a family his would approve?

  He was going through the other letters, which were essentially the same, when there was a knock, his constable at the door.

  ***

  William gave the coach driver the address and then settled in his seat for the ride, taking the time to review the notes the constable had given him. He shook his head and cursed for the umpteenth time in the last few hours.

  A man of great importance had been assaulted, and Chief Inspector Murdock, who would never trust a mere constable to deal with nobility, had immediately summoned William to handle the case. It would also give Murdock an excuse to pull William from his current investigation, since Niles’s family wanted the matter closed so as not to further tarnish their reputation. Society did not look kindly upon one getting themselves murdered.

  Though William’s dealings with nobility were frequent enough, he was at a complete loss as to how to approach the case if indeed the notes he’d been given were correct. He cursed under his breath again. There was little to be done about the situation until he got the facts first hand. He only hoped the reality of the matter would not be as dire as the constable made it seem, though based on all what he already knew, he did not doubt the accusations being made.

  Paying the driver, he climbed the wide marble steps to the ornate entrance. William took a deep breath and steeled himself for the job, setting aside his own emotions regarding the situation. The footman answered the door, William’s presence already expected.

  William was escorted immediately into the sitting room, so he had only a moment to notice the grandeur of the place.

  William was introduced with a stiff formality. “Inspector William Thomas, m’ lord.” With a curt dismissal from his employer, the footman bowed and left the room, leaving William with Lord Victor Fenwick.

  His Lordship was a tall fellow, well built and would be handsome enough if it were not for the violent bruising that extended its way from a crooked and swollen nose,
across his upper cheeks, and up to bloodshot eyes. Victor paced the room in agitation, but with his movement awkward and painful, he stopped instead in front of the mantel to pick up a porcelain figurine before turning to acknowledge William’s presence.

  It was only upon seeing Seth’s handiwork, that William’s own anger regarding Phoebe’s attack, came under control with the retaliation taken in her honor. He would still need to approach this case like any other, and only hoped Seth had not dug himself into a hole he would not be able to climb out of.

  Victor had brought the attack upon himself, and it took every ounce of will and composure for William to keep his smile of satisfaction stifled. “Sir, my constable says you were attacked upon leaving your gentlemen’s club?”

  “Well, I certainly did not do this to myself!” Victor flung the figurine into the fireplace, sending the pieces smashing into the fire, sparks bursting into the air. He spun on William with a scowl. “Are you some sort of incompetent imbecile? He broke my nose, for fuck’s sake.”

  Meeting Victor’s gaze with a cool calm, William ignored his comment, and continued his questioning, flipping through his notes. “This took place at Browning’s?”

  “Yes. At my club. Did we not just cover that detail?” Something clicked in William’s memory, and he made a mental note to look into it. “The constable mentioned you knew your attacker.”

  “It was that bastard, Seth Elliott. I want him charged. Do you hear me?” Victor’s face had gone red with rage.

  “You’re familiar with your attacker?” He knew he was baiting the man, but it was a question he would ask anyone under the circumstances. “May I ask what caused the man to attack you?”

  William had the pleasure of seeing Victor’s face go from red to purple as he stammered for an answer, finally managing to get out the words. “The man is deranged! How should I know why he attacked me? He wasn’t alone either; had another man with him. They bound my coachman, and then after assaulting my person, left me in Devil’s Acre of all places. I’m lucky I made it out of there alive!”

  “It seems like an extreme reaction, which makes me think there was indeed a reason behind the attack. You’re sure you do not know why the man would be upset with you?”

  “Did I not just tell you that? Murdock assured me you were the best, and if that is the case, the London police are in dire need of help. I do not understand why you are still here rather than arresting the man that tried to kill me.”

  William was caught off guard by Victor’s accusation. Victor was a man of power and influence, and Seth could be in serious trouble if he chose to pursue a charge of attempted murder. “Kill you? It appears to be a simple case of assault. Did he harm you other than the blow to the face?”

  “It is not a case of simple assault. He pulled a knife and threatened to kill me, and if you must know, he did draw blood. I’m sure he would have killed me if I hadn’t scared him off with the consequences of his actions. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him get away with this.”

  William pinned Victor with a long icy stare. “This would have nothing to do with the bodily assault upon Lady Hughes?”

  Victor’s composure cracked for only a moment before returning to a look of arrogance. “You cannot believe anything that trollop would have to say on the matter. She’s had physical relations with the man in question. She would say anything he told her to. If that bastard is capable of nearly killing me, than it’s not difficult to imagine he’s capable of assaulting her as well. I expect you to move quickly on this and if you’re not capable of so simple a task, I’m sure Murdock can manage to find someone else capable of handling the situation.”

  Victor’s threat was clear, and William clenched his fists at his side, resisting the urge to punch the man in the face. He took a deep breath to steady his voice, and then said, “I will need to interview the parties involved, of course, but will contact you with an update as soon as I have one. Good day.” And without waiting to be dismissed, he turned around and walked out of the room.

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  “I want nothing to do with that thing.” Phoebe waved Seth away, and turned to her desk to fidget with the orders for the club and her other paperwork.

  Seth reached out and took her hand. “In light of the morning’s findings, I do not feel I’m being unreasonable. It’s just a fuse gun, and with someone after your formula, I want to make sure you have protection if you need it.”

  She shook her head no. “The only thing I’ll manage to do with that thing is shoot myself in the foot. I do not want it, Seth. Please, take it away.”

  He pulled her close and nuzzled her ear, her defenses weakening, his words but a whisper. “A compromise then. Will you at least keep it at home, tucked away in a drawer somewhere? I’ll get a second one for your office here at Viridis.”

  Exasperated, Phoebe gave in. “Fine, but I have no intention of using it.”

  He smiled, and pulled her to him for a kiss. “I’ll need to make sure you know how to handle it properly, of course.”

  “Of course.” She rolled her eyes and his grin widened. Changing the subject, she said, “Where did Gavin get off to?”

  “He’s keeping Gabriel company while he tends to the bar. How did the fitting go with your seamstress?”

  The sooner her dress was made, the sooner they could get married, and with his arms still wrapped around her, her imagination turned to the life they would soon lead.

  “I did stress to her the importance of having it done as soon as possible, but it is quite the undertaking. She has promised me five days time, barring she does not run into any problems.”

  “Shall we plan for next Sunday? I do not want to put it off any longer than necessary. Gavin also has cargo he needs to get to Austria, and I’d rather not delay him.” He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. “I hope you do not mind, but I stopped by the locksmith’s and purchased a small safe for your research journal. They’ll be delivering it to your home tomorrow.”

  She looked away, not wanting to admit the facts. “I still cannot believe it’s Martha or Sarah.”

  “Did they not come with references? Perhaps you can contact their previous employers. It may help put your mind at ease.”

  She’d been shocked and upset by the situation, always trying to see the good in people. Such a betrayal was difficult for her to accept, but perhaps Seth was right. If she could put to rest some of her doubts, it may help matters.

  “It could not hurt, in any case. I think I have their references filed away here with the other employee files.” She stepped out of Seth’s arms and moved to her desk, sitting down to locate what she was looking for.

  There was a knock, and a moment later, the door opened and Gavin peeked his head inside. “I do hope I wasna interrupting anything.”

  “Not at all. Come in.” Phoebe smiled at him, setting the files down with her things.

  “Are we all set then?” Seth looked at Gavin and Phoebe could tell by the glint in their eyes and their shifty smiles that they were up to no good.

  “Aye, we are. Gabriel’s fine here on his own.” Gavin’s crooked grin was filled with mischief.

  Phoebe looked at the two of them, and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Set for what, pray tell?” But Seth was bustling her towards the door before she could protest further.

  “A surprise.” He pulled her cloak out of the armoire and wrapped it around her shoulders, before shrugging himself into his own coat and grabbing her things, files included.

  Phoebe frowned and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “What is this about, Seth? You do know how I hate surprises.”

  “I know love, and you’ll find out soon enough.”

  Phoebe sat nestled between Seth and Gavin and they rode in relative silence, the engine of the steam coach making conversation difficult. Her mind kept running through the possibilities of where they were going. As they made their way to the outskirts of London, Phoebe looked around at the thinning city
congestion, and couldn’t contain herself any longer. “Where are we going?” she demanded. I’ll have you know I’m not liking this one bit.”

  Seth laughed, patting her knee. “I love that you hate giving up any control. We’re nearly there. Just another ten minutes or so.”

  “Hmph,” she said, but her voice was drowned out in the noise of the steam coach.

  At Gavin’s instruction, Seth pulled the vehicle off the main thoroughfare and onto a wide dirt road. With the aerodock just ahead, things started to become clear. Gavin’s airship loomed above the field, ghostly white and luminous in the moonlight.

  “’Tis the perfect evening for a little adventure, don’t you think?” Seth helped her out of the steam coach, linking her arm with his.

  Phoebe picked up her pace and lengthened her stride, her heart racing with excitement. “I had not realized this airship was so large. I’ve never seen one this size before.” Gripping Seth’s arm, she looked up at him and smiled, amazed yet again at his brilliance. His tinkerings always left her stunned, and this one was breathtaking. “Can we go on? I cannot believe you designed this.” Phoebe had, in the past, been on Gavin’s original airship, but she had yet to board this latest design, commissioned only months before Seth left for the Outlands.

  He leaned in and kissed her. “Yes, of course.”

  Gavin led the way. “She’s a beauty, aye? Come, I’ll show ye onboard.”

  Having seen the original designs, Phoebe knew the ship, a horizontal oblong, was made of oiled fabric draped around a light metal frame, and used a combination of heat along with lighter-than-air gasses for its lift. Below it sat a windowed cabin, housing the steam engine, cargo and passenger areas. Designed to carry twice the amount of cargo than most airships, it gave Gavin a huge advantage in the trading business. That along with Gavin’s fearlessness had made him the most sought-after captain for hauling precious cargo or difficult flights, and the first choice amongst most merchants. Though most other airships carried passengers in addition to cargo, Gavin seldom bothered, other than on rare occasions— delivering Seth to and from the Outlands being one of those instances.