Chapter 7

At his townhouse in London, Phileas was engrossed in household duties and preparations for the trip to America. It would never have occurred to him to invite Jessica along. Cousin Jessica may know Texas, as she was a native of that state, but she was also as troublesome as Rebecca. Likely more so, Phileas would have thought with a shudder, as the angelic-looking lady let no one know her mischief until it was in full force. She was happily re-wed now anyway, he would remember with relief, and happily, no longer his concern.

Rebecca returned from Whitehall to tell Phileas the news of her less than hopeful position in the competition for the assistant directorship and the news of their young friends. Verne and the Ridgemont brothers were now a mere riverboat ride from disaster. The file Chatsworth had turned over to Rebecca had listed the ship the three left on, its arrival time and the location of the farm where the boy's mother lived. Matthew had told the Ambassador that they would stay with her until word came they could return to England.

"Let us hope their mother keeps them busy and out of town," Phileas said, with little conviction. "Having seen how the two Americans occupied themselves in London, I have no doubts they will be deep in trouble of some sort within days of returning home. We will need to make a call on the Ridgemont farm to check on that and retrieve Jules."

Rebecca sat at his desk in the study, looking over the mission reports. "The League of Darkness chose their new location well, sparse population and close to a busy shipping and immigrant port. Both personnel and supplies could be imported, bringing no undue notice. The new base is a plantation somewhere near the Trinity River. Unfortunately, no map of the plantation is in this." Taking up another map, she found the river ways covered with plantations large and small. "This will not be an easy hunt."

The morning before their departure, Fogg was making last-minute checks aboard the Aurora. Passing through, Phileas noticed a sewing bag on the divan in the parlor. He dismissed it as one of Rebecca's passions was dressmaking. "Odd that she left it laying out though. She doesn't leave her things loose. She had two cabinets in the main cabin to keep her possessions, save if the airship was buffeted.

He continued upstairs to recheck his gun cabinet for ammunition. It was there he caught the newly married Lady Jessica Macalister in the hall coming out of Rebecca's room.

"Jessica?" Phileas called in surprise. "I was not aware you were aboard. It is good to see you again," he said with a smile.

"Thank you," Jessica said as she took his hands and paid him a kiss. "You have been very busy of late, I know. Brandon and I have been in London for a few weeks visiting. He left just this morning to go back to Scotland with Daniel. And congratulations on your engagement to Rebecca. Brandon and I have so been waiting for that news. Rebecca told me it is not to be announced yet, but I had to give you my best wishes."

"Thank you," Phileas accepted with pleasure. "Were you looking for Rebecca?"

"No, I am just helping her bring aboard her things. It was so good of you and Rebecca to invite me to come to Texas with you. A trip to Galveston to see Gina is going to be wonderful. You did know that my brother-in-law Eli bought father's house in Galveston for his mother? She lives there to be closer to a doctor now that she is getting on in years. I will stay with her while you and Rebecca handle your business."

"Well, I can talk to you more about that later," Jessica said, as she circled a now confused and suspicious Phileas on her way to the stairs.

The lady began her descent to the parlor just as Passepartout was making his way up. They did a quick dance step in the narrow hall, trading places on the stairs. Passepartout grinned at Lady Jessica as she slipped by him, and then watched as she walked descended, skirts making a train on the steps. Lady Jessica was a very beautiful woman. Passepartout had been half in love with her from the first moment he had crossed the street to hand her a note from his master requesting a visit.

Love is very much in the air of late, Passepartout thought as he wistfully turned, looked up, face to face with his master, glowering at him in vexation. All his warm fuzzy feelings fled under his employer's frown.

"Did you know of our guest?"

"Miss Rebecca telling me just this morning. It is comfort making that the good lady coming, with her many medicinals, should we necessitating their benefits. No?" The valet smiled in exaggerated goodwill in hopes his master's anger wouldn't land on him. Miss Rebecca should have told him of Lady Jessica's coming by now.

His employer made a start at saying something, then thought better of it. He set his features so inscrutably; he seemed as emotionless as a stone. "Tend to this letter, please. It must be delivered before we leave. I have an errand in the house."

Passepartout took the letter as his master strode toward the stairs. It was on the good stationery with the Fogg crest pressed into the sealing wax on the back. Passepartout turned it to see his destination and found the Queen's name artfully penned on the other side. "Most important letter indeed."

He left the airship right away to comply.

Phileas found Rebecca in the house, heading upstairs. He caught her by the arm and led her back down and into his study. "A moment with you, my dear."

After closing the door, he turned on her. "What are you thinking, inviting Jessica to join us in this mission? Are you mad?"

"No, but apparently you are. Try to keep your voice down," Rebecca said, with no hint of remorse. "I did not invite her to join the mission, just to accompany us to Texas. She will stay in Galveston with her former mother-in-law while we search for the League base. I would think you would welcome her after the good she did you on the last visit."

"Which was entirely her fault in the first place," Fogg said, matching Rebecca's lower tone. He took a stance by his desk, stiff, unbending, and doctorial. "Had Jessica not run off against President Johnson's sanction against her, the matter would never have come about."

"You know she had to go," Rebecca reminded him. "You even acknowledged at the time that she was obligated to the course. Phileas, you are just upset about going back to Texas. Do not take your frustrations out on Jessica and do not take a tone with me over it, either."

Phileas stiffened even more at the chastising and took on that blank, disapproving look Rebecca hated. She did not relish having to deal with him in close quarters the rest of the day in such a mood.

A hint of a smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. I will not have to.

"Phileas," she purred. "Let's not argue over this." She crossed the room to where he stood, rigid as the rock of Gibraltar, lightly placing her hands on his chest. They had indulged their passion enough for Rebecca to know how her touch affected him. Despite himself, Phileas unbent. "Jessica will be a God sent should anything happen. You know that. Besides, a married cousin will provide us with a proper chaperone. You know how hard it is for me to be with you and not–"

She did not get the chance to finish the statement. Phileas knew exactly where this conversation was going, and he did not have the self-control to ignore the implications, either. Damn her insistence on waiting. Phileas gave up the argument and his restraint, pulling Rebecca into a kiss that lasted until Jessica came downstairs calling for them.