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

waistcoat of his.
    He folded his arms. “Airfield Superintendent Briggs has just informed me that he received a rather disturbing cross-Channel message from Paris. Something about difficulties with the Water Lily ?”
    Briggs coughed and motioned at the spectrogram telegraph box that was perched on a bracket attached to the wall behind his desk. The ribbed rubber tubes that stuck out of the box were tangled, as if the machine had been answered in a hurry. “The French air authorities say your ship took off without proper clearance and that you were carrying contraband goods and passengers on board. They want to charge you for breach of the Aeronautical Treaty. I’m afraid that they have threatened to notify the British Flying Company of this. But I am sure it must all be a misunderstanding?”
    Elle felt her insides grow cold. “They can’t be serious. I had a valid departure permit.”
    “I’m afraid they are serious.” Briggs started wringing his hands. “They say you fled from Luxembourg Airfield, resisting arrest.”
    “But I’m innocent. They attacked me !” Elle said.
    Marsh interjected. “This is precisely the reason I have come to meet with you this morning, sir. I too was made aware of the matter in the course of last night and it is imperative that I intervene.” He straightened to his full height. “You see, this was my charter flight. Miss Chance and my Paris man, Mr. Chevalier, acted on my express instructions. This is official business, the nature of which I am not at liberty to disclose at this point in time.”
    Briggs patted his forehead with his handkerchief. “The French authorities are seeking the immediate suspension of Miss Chance’s license and I don’t see how we would be able to refuse their request. At least not without creating a rather unpleasant international incident, that is.”
    “But that is ridiculous! I had to take off. They were shooting at my ship!” She gave Marsh a sharp look, not sure if she should say more. He shook his head ever so slightly and looked away.
    “I’m sorry, I can see their point entirely,” Briggs said, suddenly officious. “We can’t have airships taking off and flying about at will. It would give rise to chaos and anarchy. The rules must be obeyed.”
    Marsh was silent.
    Elle closed her eyes in despair. There was no way she could charm her way out of this mess. She was completely on her own. And her father and uncle would find out that she was flying bootleg freight on the quiet. There would be long lectures. There would be “I told you so’s and a lot of “flying is no business for a woman’s. She’d have to give up the lease on the Water Lily. Everything she had worked for would be lost.
    She was suddenly very angry. But despite herself, her throat thickened with the urge to cry. Tears would only confirm everything these men already thought. And she was not going to let them have that pleasure. She swallowed hard at the lump of humiliation that was threatening to choke her.
    Marsh cleared his throat. “Mr. Briggs, if you would perhaps be so kind as to hand over the communication from Paris. I shall see that it is sent straight to the ministry so we may resolve this matter along diplomatic channels.” He motioned to Elle. “And if you’ll allow us a moment. Perhaps a cup of tea for the lady might be appropriate?”
    “Yes, of course.” Briggs nodded. He shuffled off, looking distinctly grateful for Marsh’s intervention in the matter.
    As soon as Briggs was out the door, Marsh put his hand on her arm. “I am so sorry for putting you through this charade. I didn’t think the French authorities would move so fast. I had hoped that my contacts would resolve any difficulties before there were problems.” His voice was low and conspiratorial.
    Elle swatted his hand away. “I am not taking the fall for this, Mr. Marsh. You dragged me into this mess and you had better get me out of it.” She poked at his chest with her forefinger.