A Conspiracy of Alchemists: Book One in the Chronicles of Light and Shadow by Liesel Schwarz Page A

authorities. You are not to leave my sight until then.”
    Mr. Briggs was nodding in agreement. “I will make a note in the records, my lord.”
    “B-but you can’t do that. Can you?” Elle said.
    Marsh looked at her and his well-formed mouth curled up into a triumphant little smile. “Oh, but I can and I just did. And it’s a task I take very seriously.”
    “Ahem, there is also the matter of your ship’s repair and mooring fees,” Mr. Briggs said.
    “I am taking charge of the Water Lily as well. I will send someone to attend to the repairs tomorrow. She can be stored in one of the hangars here in the short term. Please arrange to have the accounts sent to my secretary,” Marsh said. He held up his hand to stop Elle before she could speak. “And I’ll not hear another word on the matter. The mooring fees are for my account too. I insist. It’s the least I can do.” There was a little gleam in his eye warning her to not to push the point.
    Elle felt the urge to smack him. The man was unbelievable, but now was not the time to fight that battle. She would do much better if she bided her time. Enemies kept close are enemies known.
    Elle set the cup in its swampy saucer down on the desk, where it would leave a mark on the wood; a gift for Mr. Briggs to find later. She straightened her coat and lifted her chin “Very well, then, Lord Greychester. We had better be off. We have quite a way to travel yet.”
    He held the door for her and they walked down the corridor in silence.
    Outside, Patrice had collected Marsh’s car from one of the private stables at the airfield. The motor gleamed in the light of the airfield terminus, in all its white paint and silver-riveted loveliness.
    “Beautiful, isn’t she?” Marsh said. “It’s a Stanley.”
    She turned on him. “I don’t know who you think you are, Mr. Marsh, but if you think you are going to use this situation to get your hands on my ship, you are very seriously mistaken. Don’t think I didn’t see you eyeing her while we were in the air.”
    “Ah yes, the little airship. I give you my word that it will be safe. As long as you do what I say.”
    “Your word? How am I supposed to accept that?”
    He sighed and took her by the elbow. “Well, as I see it, my word is the best you are going to get for now.” He swiveled her round to face the doors they had just left. “But we could always go back to the Superintendent’s office if you prefer.”
    Elle clenched her molars together so tightly she felt her jaw creak. “Fine.” She turned back so she faced the car again. His body moved in time with hers as if they were dancing. “I will go with you, but don’t think for one moment that this discussion is over.”
    “Oh, I don’t doubt that. But in time you will come to see that I am quite an honorable fellow. Isn’t that right, Patrice?”
    Patrice just shook his head and chuckled at them from where he was sitting in the driver’s seat.
    Marsh opened the door for her. “After you, madam.”
    Elle glared at him as she got into the machine. Grudgingly, she had to admit that the motor really was a thing of beauty. The outside gleamed with white paintwork and brass tubing. Dual reactors, by the looks of it.
    She allowed herself to sink into the plush seat. And though she would never admit it, she was secretly relieved to be going straight home. The bunks in the pilot quarters at the airfield were not always that pleasant, and it would be hours before the first trains to London started running. Home was where she wanted to be right now. The edge of the bracelet slipped from beneath her sleeve as she sat down. Quickly she tucked it away. Hopefully the fairy would stay asleep until then.
    Marsh sat beside her. He ran his hand over the seat. “I quite like the new shape, don’t you? Six-point-five horsepower. Fast as a bullet, she is. With the dual reactor and new patented micro-condensers, we get about twenty miles to a gallon of water. It helps that the