Page 9 of Boy of Chaotic Making

The queen of England.

Chapter 4

February 23, 1847, Blaugdone Island, Rhode Island

For a moment, Merritt didn’t breathe. In that same moment, his cheeks cooled as blood drained from them, and his heart kept hard, even time.

He read the letter from the top.

Attention: Merritt Fernsby, or

To Whom It May Concern,

In short, I am interested in your dog.

I am personally addressing you as a situation in which you were involved has greatly impressed me. The incident I speak of was the sudden deterioration of the Suffolk County Gaol in the state of Massachusetts. Specifically, the report of a certain witness who detailed the involvement of a male, medium-sized, mixed-breed terrier.

As I’m sure you know, I come from a long line of magic users and consider it a personal responsibility to continue that line, and to protect a resource so many have forgotten isnonrenewable. My involvement in magic includes, of course, a vast education on its workings. This education informs me that dogs cannot be in the possession of spells. And yet, it seems yours is.

My necromancer assures me there is only one possible explanation, and upon examination of files from the London Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms, supplied recently by its Boston counterpart, I feel certain I understand completely and do not find it necessary to explain in a letter what we both already know.

I wish to introduce you and your dog to my cousins the Leiningens. I believe we can offer you and Owein Mansel an irresistible opportunity that will secure a most excellent future for the both of you. Your compliance, of course, is greatly appreciated, and all expenses for the trip, boarding, and otherwise will be covered.

With the utmost sincerity,

Victoria

Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

Merritt’s free hand clamored for a chair and managed to pull one out before strength left his legs.

“Mr. Fernsby?” Beth padded over. Owein’s nose pressed into his trousers.

Merritt said nothing, merely handed the letter over and stared into a dimension portaled somewhere between the table and the far wall.

Adey had not been wrong about the mulling.

“Oh my.” Beth’s hand pressed to her collar. Then, a moment later, another “Oh my.”

What? What?Owein pestered. The words were loud. That was, Merritt couldn’t technicallyhearthem. They simply pressed into his mind, and his mind vocalized them in a way he could understand. A spare part of his brain wondered what Owein’s true voice would have sounded like, if he’d still had it.

Blinking back to the present, Merritt rubbed his eyes. “Surely it’s not real.”

“I believe it is.” She turned the letter over just as Baptiste came in. “That seal.”

The chef approached. The letter rustled as it exchanged hands. After a moment, Baptiste asked, “What this mean?” and pointed to a word. Beth did her best to explain—an explanation that served as subtle harmony to Merritt’s whirling thoughts.

The actual queen of England knew about Owein. She wanted Owein. Why? The letter was not threatening in the slightest—there was no reason Merritt shouldn’t consider the offer she’d put forward. But then again, he didn’thaveto. The monarch of England had no jurisdiction here. He could ignore both it and Adey, next time the royal puppet came knocking. But ...

Opportunity.

“Qu’est-ce que c’est!”Baptiste said as Owein leapt up and tore the letter—most of it—from his hands. Merritt shook himself and stood as Owein trotted to the stairs, spat the letter out, and began reading it. He had become a decent reader these last few months, though Merritt imagined he might get stuck on some of the same words as Baptiste.

After a minute, Owein turned toward him, dark eyes shining.What does this mean?

“It means the queen of England is interested in you. For the sake of her cousins ... for whatever reason. I can’t fathom that part.” He inhaled slowly, exhaled slowly, and ran a hand back through his hair. “I ... Ineed to talk to Hulda.” He patted his pockets, but his communion stone wasn’t there.

“I’ll fetch it,” Beth offered, and, picking up her skirts, quickly ascended to the top floor.

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