Rebel Magisters (Rebel Mechanics #2)(53)

Flora leaned over the sketch, frowning. “It is a very nice rendition, though you might have been a bit too—” She broke off abruptly, glancing guiltily at me, and quickly retreated to her seat, picking up her magazine again. I wondered what she’d been about to say.

Henry flipped the page, turned, and began drawing again—something other than me, I hoped. Though I would have liked to see how he’d depicted me.

That was the only uncomfortable incident for the rest of the day. We passed over New York as we ate lunch, then had a long afternoon before dinner was served. I was included with the family in these meals, and we didn’t have to change into evening attire. I found at dinner that the governor had quite an interest in the classics, and we discussed Homer, much to the dismay and boredom of the children.

Even so, bedtime came as a great relief because I’d be able to relax. “I want to sleep on the top bunk,” Olive declared as we headed to our cabin, where the steward had made up our beds. One look at the upper berth, however, and she changed her mind. “You can have the top bunk, Miss Newton,” she said. “Or you can join me in the lower bunk if you’re too scared to climb up there.”

I helped her out of her clothes and into her nightgown, and she crawled into the bunk and curled up in the corner while I undressed. When I was in my nightgown and had brushed and braided my hair, Olive said, “Before you climb up, can I have a story?”

I’d packed a few of her favorite books, and she snuggled against me as I read to her. She was asleep before I finished the story, and I hated to disturb her to move to the other bunk. Chancing one bit of magic, I used my power to turn out the light.

I found it hard to sleep, however. I had too much to think about: the rebel magister and Mechanic groups, the possibility of finding an elder statesman to lead the movement, the governor’s interest in me, and whatever was happening between Henry and me, if it wasn’t purely in my dreams.

I didn’t remember falling asleep, but Olive woke me early in the morning when she crawled over me to get to a window and look out. “Do you think we’re almost there?” she asked when she saw that I was awake.

“I think we still have several more hours to go.”

“Charleston must be very far away. Will it be different from New York?”

“I imagine it will be, but I’ve never been there.”

It did turn out to be different from New York. The buildings were lower and more colorful, and the streets were lined with palmetto trees I only recognized because I’d seen illustrations in botany books. The carriages that met us at the airfield took us to a mansion on the Battery, facing the ocean. Although it was early November, it was still quite warm and very humid. I could only imagine what it must be like in the summer.

The room I was given was at the rear of the house, overlooking a kitchen garden and outbuildings, though I was pleased to learn that the room to be used for lessons had a view of the sea. When Henry came to inspect the schoolroom and discuss my lesson plans for the week, it was the first chance we’d had to talk privately since that carriage ride in Boston.

“I’m going to go out and send some ether messages to my friends,” he said softly while we leaned over the array of books I’d laid out on a table.

“I thought that wasn’t secure,” I said. I didn’t know how the magical long-distance messaging system worked, but I knew that anyone could tap into the Mechanics’ telegraph, if they knew the code and how it worked.

“I wouldn’t dare send anything from this house, but if I word the messages carefully and send them from a public venue, it should be safe,” he said. “Anyway, I’m merely suggesting that my friends call upon some people on my behalf. Tomorrow I’ll call on a few local people.”

“I wish I could go with you.”

“So do I,” he replied with a grin. “You have a talent for getting people to listen, but I can’t think of any excuse to bring you with me, other than bringing the children.”

“I’m not sure I’d inflict Olive and Rollo on any statesmen we’re trying to impress.”

“That’s too true. But don’t worry, I’ll give you a full report.”

It was two days later before I saw Henry again, in the breakfast room. We were alone for the moment, so as we stood at the sideboard together, serving ourselves, I whispered, “How did it go yesterday?”

He sighed. “The baron was right. They don’t see a need to act now. They’re unhappy, but not willing to take the risk of doing anything about it.”

“Perhaps your friends will have better luck.”

“I hope so. This city isn’t exactly a rebel hotbed. I have no university friends from that set here, and the people I do know have given every appearance of being staunch loyalists. Have you heard anything from the local Mechanics?”

I shook my head. “I haven’t been so fortunate as to have a maid introduce herself as my liaison.”

The governor entered the room then, cutting off the conversation. Henry immediately began to talk about the impressive array of tropical bugs that might be found in this region. I had a hard time stifling giggles. “So, if you don’t have anything you need me to do, Your Grace,” he said to the governor, “I’d like to go do some exploring and see if I can find some specimens. It’s warm enough that they might even still be active.”