Rebel Magisters (Rebel Mechanics #2)(64)

Mr. Chastain was just helping him out of the cab when we reached it. Henry looked much better. His color was almost back to normal, and his eyes had lost that sunken, hollow appearance they’d had right after his injury.

“Uncle! Are you better?” Olive asked, throwing her arms around him.

“Much better, Olive, thank you,” he said, returning her hug with his good arm.

“Wait’ll you see what we got you!”

“I can hardly wait.” He caught my eye and smiled. “I presume the children have been good for you, Miss Newton?”

“They’ve behaved admirably,” I said.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

He made it up the front steps and into the house without help, much to my relief. He didn’t use his left arm much, but if one didn’t know to look for an injury, one wouldn’t notice anything in the way he carried himself. Only when we reached his room after climbing the staircase did he show signs of weariness. He sank onto the edge of his bed and let out a long, slow breath, but I couldn’t tell if he really was tired or if he was maintaining the illusion of recent illness.

“See, we got you flowers!” Olive pointed out, gesturing to the bouquet on the nightstand.

“And so you did,” Henry said. “Those are lovely. Did you pick them out yourself?”

“Miss Newton and I did. You like them?”

“I like them very much. Thank you, Olive.” He looked up at me and smiled. “And you, Miss Newton.”

Matthews came in, directing the footmen with Henry’s trunk. “You need to rest, sir,” he said. “Perhaps you can have visitors again later.”

“We need to get to our schoolwork,” I said to Olive.

She kissed her uncle on the cheek before we left. I noticed in passing that Matthews had a newspaper tucked under his arm, so I thought it likely that Henry already knew I’d carried out my mission. I paused at the doorway and looked back. Henry met my eye, nodded, and grinned. I smiled in response before following Olive to the schoolroom.

*

Henry must have truly felt much better, for he joined us for dinner that evening. I’d missed these family meals during our journey. To be honest, I’d missed dining with Henry and being treated like part of the family. We couldn’t talk about our work in front of the children, but it was nice just to have him there.

“What was the airship you took like?” Rollo asked. “Was it bigger than Grandfather’s ship?”

“I didn’t pay much attention because I remained in my cabin the entire time,” Henry replied. “I must say, it was a restful way to travel. I fell asleep soon after I boarded and woke feeling quite renewed just as we landed.”

“Perhaps they should advertise airship travel as medicinal,” I said.

“Perhaps,” he said with a smile. “Though I think a lot of it had to do with knowing I was on my way home.”

As we left the dining room, I thought Henry and I would finally have the chance to talk, but Mr. Chastain approached with a stack of messages on a tray. “These have come for you, my lord,” he said. “Several via ether, and the rest delivered personally.”

“Word of my return must have spread. Miss Newton, do you think you could assist me by playing secretary? I would most appreciate the help.”

“Certainly, sir. Let me get Olive into bed and I’ll join you in your study.”

Olive was so excited by her uncle’s return that it took me longer than usual to get her settled down, and I could hardly blame her. I was rather excited, myself, and eager to find out what all those messages were about.

When I joined him in the study, he was beaming. “It worked, Verity!” he said, waving a message. “Of course, no one has outright said they’re supporting revolution, but would they really have messaged me if their stances had remained the same? They must have spread the news throughout the colonies because I’ve also heard from the crew in Boston that they made some new friends today. I shouldn’t be surprised because that was quite an article.”

“The subject matter was the important part.”

“But you put it in a way that made it clear what was happening and why it was important. I don’t think I’d have had this kind of response from a dry recitation of facts. If this is what I’m hearing already, we may be on the verge of something big. I just wish I knew what the governor thought. Unfortunately, our relationship isn’t such that I have any excuse to pay him a visit.”

“But I do!” I realized. “Not him, exactly, but Flora and I are supposed to visit Elinor tomorrow.”

He grinned. “That should do just fine. You can count on her to let you know if he’s been particularly unhappy. Meanwhile, are you free tomorrow evening?”

“Of course. Why?”

He gestured toward the small stack of envelopes on his desk. “Some of my friends have mentioned coming by, and we might need an extra hand for whatever game we want to play. At least, that will be my excuse for sending for you. I have a feeling the Mechanics may have just gained some funding and support, and we’ll want your report on the governor’s reaction.”

“Are you sure you feel up to company?” I asked.

“I’m really doing much better. All I needed was some rest and a little healing energy from the ether. I’m fine as long as I avoid one or two uncomfortable positions and don’t make sudden moves.”