Page 51 of Boy of Chaotic Making

Merritt cleared his throat. “Owein makes a valid point. Perhaps the contract could be mailed to us.”

Blightree and Friedrich exchanged a glance.

Merritt released a long breath. “What is it now?”

“English Soil Law,” Hulda said.

Prince Friedrich gestured with a turn of his wrist. “It’s my understanding ... magic laws in the United States are not very strict.”

We don’t have required breeding programs for it like you do here,Merritt thought to himself, but nodded.

Lady Helen returned to her chair, obviously flustered. Prince Friedrich continued, “They are much stricter here. Any charter or decree of magical origin pertaining to British land or British citizens must be signed on British soil. It’s a protection, really. With the empireexpanding as it was, laws in India weren’t matching laws in the islands, or there was that whole mess with Ireland ...”

“Such a bother,” Lady Helen murmured.

Merritt glanced at Hulda. “Perhaps ... there’s always LIKER.”

She considered.

Lady Helen interjected, “I swear to my Lord in heaven, Mr. Fernsby, there is no plot against you. Not in my house!” Her voice rose enough to startle Owein. “I want this to work. Truly I do. I want Cora to have the fortnight promised to her. I will hire and post guards around this house and all its grounds, day and night. I do not mind the expense. We will get to the bottom of this, and to this bloody contract.”

Prince Friedrich paled. Less at the promise and more at the language, Merritt suspected.

“I could,” Hulda began, withdrawing her hand from his arm, “go to LIKER on the morrow and obtain some more wards and stones. Wardship stones that can detect magic, and perhaps even counter it.” She looked at Merritt. “If anyone did attempt a spell, the stones would catch it.”

“Like with Baillie,” Merritt supplied.

She nodded. “Like with Baillie. The house is large ... but if I can get my hand on some counterspell wards, those could be placed around your person.”

Merritt considered this. “Isn’t it detrimental to wear a ward?”

“Aroundyour person, not on it.” Knitting her fingers together, she added, “It might be a pain, but with the guards, I’m sure we can get the new contract drafted and ready in record time. Yes?”

Blightree said, “Of course.”

The door opened, revealing a young footman. “Pardon my intrusion.”

Lady Helen motioned him inside. “Well?”

The servant swallowed. “She’s not here, my lady.”

Lady Helen surged to her feet. Her hands balled into tight fists. “What do you mean,she’s not here?”

Bowing his head, the footman answered, “The baron explained she’d left for the borough of Westminster.”

Lady Helen rolled her eyes and barely held in a growl. “This child of mine!” She pointed accusingly at Prince Friedrich. “She’s gone and done just that, I tell you! I hope Victoria refuses to see her!”

“My dear”—the man came forward with his hands raised, as though Lady Helen were a rabid wolf—“let’s consider this rationally—”

What’s happening?Owein asked.

Merritt slumped down into his chair.I think we found the contract thief. And I think we’ll be staying here another night, at least.

Lady Helen was true to her word—guards roamed the estate the very next morning, and Merritt and his retinue slept the night without any disaster. Slept, thanks to the tincture Hulda had ordered up from the kitchens.Bless that woman,he thought as he walked, Owein taking two steps for his every one.

Saturday rolled in as all English days in March seemed to—overcast and crisp. The Leiningen grounds were looking quite green, thanks to magic from a grounds crew, though in the wooded area beyond what the family had manicured, a few daring leaf buds were starting to peek out of winter branches. Mayhap it was better for Merritt to stay indoors, where the guard was thicker and magical wards would soon be placed, but he had the desperate need to stretch his legs. He would also be hard to target if no one knew where to find him, and Owein was the best guard he could possibly ask for at this point, truthfully. Still, Merritt rubbed his fingers together in his trouser pockets, not because they were cold, but because he was ready to cast a wardship wall at any moment. He’d need only a second to do so. The collapse in the breakfast roomhad taken him so off guard he hadn’t had a chance, but he wouldn’t make that mistake twice.

In addition to the hired guard, the repairmen for the damaged rooms in Cyprus Hall had arrived and taken over the house, and Hulda ... whoseemedto be faring better today ... had gotten an appointment with that augurist in town, so Merritt had decided to take Owein out, away from the noise and the expectations. Lord knew they had a lot to chat about, and Merritt had a lot to think about.

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