“Goodbye, Lizzie. Goodbye, Laura,” I called, then Archie and I headed back outside. He offered his arm to me, and we made our way back to Strawberry Hill.
“Will you return to London when you father comes?” Archie asked.
I nodded. “At least for a time.”
“Grandfather and I will also be in London for the winter. There are some happenings with the London Tinkers Society, and Grandfather wants to take part. Are you a member?”
“Of the London Tinker’s Society? Goodness, no. My father travels with the Artisans Guild. I haven’t spent much time with the tinkers.”
“You should join. I… I could escort you to the meetings.”
“But I’m no tinker.”
Archie laughed. “Scarlette, your mind comes by it naturally. I don’t think you realize what you’ve done. Imagine what you could tinker with a little training.”
“No. Not me. I’m not really adept in any one thing. I like art, mechanics, history, philosophy, folklore. I’m eclectic.”
“Hmm,” Archie considered. “A diverse mind is an excellent thing.”
I realized then that Archie was concocting a way to meet with me in London, and I had very foolishly dissuaded him.
“But you’re right. I should join. I’ll ask father. As you said, who knows what I could invent. Automaton street sweepers, perhaps.”
Archie chuckled. “Now you have it!”
We entered the forest. At once, my eyes went toward the merchant camp. Much to my surprise, it was gone. And not only that, but Mistress Quickly was tromping through the woods from the direction where the tents had once been.
“Master Boatswain, Miss Rossetti,” she called.
I couldn’t help but notice her slip her dagger back into her belt.
“Mistress Quickly,” Archie said. He removed his top hat and tipped it toward her.
“I was tracking down your merchants, Miss Rossetti,” Mistress Quickly said.
“Their tents used to be just there,” I said, pointing. “They seem to be gone now.”
“Seem,” Mistress Quickly said, gazing as she looked toward the former site of the camp.
“Any sign of them?” Archie asked.
Mistress Quickly frowned. “Hard to say. I’m headed into town for a look around. Miss Rossetti, please let me know if you see them again.”
“I will.”
At that, Mistress Quickly nodded then headed off in the direction of town.
“I know what I want. I want her job,” I said. “Isn’t she some sort of constable?”
“Private security is the best way to put it. Your mind is curious about everything, Scarlette.”
“Isn’t yours?”
He laughed. “Perhaps, but my range is limited.”
“Limited to genius.”
He grinned. “I’m glad you think so.”
I smiled up at him, gazing into his light green eyes. “I do.”
To my surprise, a flash of red colored his cheeks. “Thank you.”
We crossed the lawn, returning to Strawberry Hill once more. When we entered the house, we found everything very still, very quiet.
“They are in the library,” Mister Edwards said. “Closed door. No servants,” he added, giving me a perplexed look.
Not understanding myself, I shook my head.
“Your grandfather inquired about you, Master Boatswain,” Mister Edwards told Archie.
“Ah, that means I’m late,” Archie said.
“Sorry,” I said, then motioned to him that we should go.
Hurrying down the hall, we quickly found ourselves at the library. Archibald opened the door, and the pair of us slipped inside.
“Master Montgomery is right. We must expand our council and form an active force to patrol the realm, London in particular. Building on the established tradition of this order, this force will marshal this land,” said Lady Wiloby, an elderly matriarch who had a business in the north of England that had something to do with rail carts.
“A separate order from ourselves. Controlled by us but not necessarily associated,” Master Montgomery said. “Mistress Quickly can begin the preliminary training and ordering of this division, and King George has already promised Archibald he would support the endeavor.”
“A named force,” Master Donne agreed, nodding stoically. “To give legitimacy. A public face for our private work.
“How about the Red Capes?” Uncle Horace said then motioned to the back of the room where Archibald and I were standing.
Everyone turned and looked at me.
I was, in fact, still wearing my red cloak. Mister Edwards, so befuddled by the servants’ exclusion to the meeting, had forgotten to take mine and Archie’s wraps. And I’d been in such a hurry to get Archie to his grandfather that I’d forgotten too.
The room fell silent.
“I…I should go,” I stammered, fully realizing this was no social gathering. This was some sort of meeting. They were talking about the king.
To my great relief, those gathered there—and there were several newcomers in the crowd—smiled warmly at me. Several people in attendance chuckled.
“Red Capes,” Master Montgomery said. “I rather like that. Thank you for the idea, Miss Rossetti, but I believe we’ll see you again at dinner,” he said with a wink.
I nodded, cast Uncle Horace a sheepish and apologetic glance, then backed toward the door.
“I’ll see you soon,” Archie whispered to me.
I nodded, and with a smile, closed the door behind me.
With the door shut, I was unable to hear the conversation. Uncle Horace spoke once more, followed by Master Boatswain, but I couldn’t make out their words.
All my life I knew that Uncle Horace and Father were involved in something, but what? Something that concerned the king? And the leading artists and tinkers in our land? What in the world?
Suddenly feeling like I’d been left out of something exciting, I headed back to my room feeling out of sorts. If this business in which my family was involved was of such a serious nature that the king was aware of it, then it was no wonder I was kept in the dark. After all, Uncle Horace thought I was off buying dolls and gallivanting about town all day long. No wonder he didn’t consider me high-minded enough to be let in on any secrets.
But Archie did.
Archie saw something in me.
I pulled off my outdoor wraps, grabbed my journal, and settled into the window seat. I hated feeling like something was happening just under my nose. But as I thought back, I realized it had always been like this. There had always been unusual people floating about, secret documents, and clandestine rendezvous. I just thought it was normal. Aren’t all artists, thinkers, and investors always a bit odd?
Maybe.
But maybe there was more to it than that.
Sighing, I leaned back into my seat. Light snow began to fall. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. My father would come to Strawberry Hill. And then what? Back to London? Back to parties, teas, and social calls? No, thank you. The truth was, I loved working for Laura and Lizzie. I enjoyed puzzling out problems and keeping my hands busy. I loved reading the strange books in Uncle Horace’s library. Whatever was going on, I wanted to know more. I wanted to know.
I reluctantly kept myself busy until a maid came to help me change for dinner. Selecting an emerald green gown and brushing my hair up into a bun, I primped for the event. I returned to the parlor once more. To my surprise, the place was busier than ever. At least a dozen more people had arrived.
Archie met me at the door.
“Scarlette,” he said, offering his arm to me. “Come, I want you to meet someone.”
I hooked my arm with his, bidding my cheeks not to redden at his touch.