“Oh, Mr. Red-ding-ton,” Marjorie sang. “Do come out to play. I have a lovely painting to show you.”
Adrian mimed holding up a large speaking trumpet. “That’s ‘His Grace’ to you, missy.”
Marjorie pretended to press the lever. “And…boom.”
“No murdering,” Jacob scolded them all.
“Only as a contingency,” Elizabeth and Kuni chorused in unison.
“What about Tommy and me?” Philippa asked, forgetting her earlier hesitation. “Is ours just as practical and deadly?”
“If practical-and-deadly is the game, I think you will be pleased.” Stephen led her to the next machine. “If you’ll take a look over here…”
The Wynchesters followed him eagerly.
Stephen could not quite name the warm feeling spreading throughout his chest. For his entire childhood and youth, his machines had been a guilty secret. He’d been punished, berated, mocked, snubbed. Until he no longer attempted to share that part of him at all. Notpublicly, at least. When he reached adulthood, he began to sell his lesser inventions—a rolling valve here, a life raft there—and built his machines in solitude. Did everything in solitude. Day after day, year after year.
Until Elizabeth.
He had been terrified to show her this part of himself. And couldn’t quite believe his fortune when she not only accepted his passion without hesitation, but also seemed to think his unusual quirks were the best thing about him. And now, she was not the only person in his life who looked at his machines—looked athim—and saw someone worthy, rather than worthless.
The Wynchesters were indeed special. Individually unique, yet part of a cohesive whole capable of seeing potential and intrinsic value where others did not. No wonder they were such a force to be reckoned with. Hope filled Stephen’s chest.
If anyone stood a fighting chance against an army, it was the group of tight-knit siblings right here in this room.
35
All right,” said Graham once everyone had finished fawning over their new machines. “Back to the planning.”
Elizabeth led the way. “Time to devise our offensive attack.”
“You mean our defense,” Jacob corrected her.
“She’s right,” said Philippa. “George Washington opined two decades ago that ‘offensive operations’ are the surest means of defense. And look what he’s managed to accomplish.”
“He had an entire army at his disposal,” Adrian pointed out.
“We have… things,” said Marjorie. “In addition to our new devices.”
Tommy opened the basket at her feet and pulled out a handsome black-and-gold military coat. “I created Wynchester regimentals based on the family coat of arms. We may not be a real army either, but there’s no reason we cannot look like one.” She grinned at Kuni. “Yours is absolutely riddled with hiding spots for daggers, of course.”
Kuni blew her a kiss.
“The uniforms are gorgeous.” Elizabeth held out her hand. “May I?”
Tommy passed her the coat. “I made yours a size too big, in case you wished to wear chain mail beneath.”
“How did you know we would be attacked by arrows?” Stephen asked.
“I didn’t know,” Tommy answered. “But I do know Elizabeth. I’d wager a meat pie she’s wearing chain mail at this very moment.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks heated further, though not for the reason her siblings likely assumed. Shewouldhave been wearing chain mail… if she hadn’t spent the morning making love to Stephen. There had been little time to do more than throw on a wrinkled gown.
Then again, that might beexactlywhat most of her siblings imagined.
“This is excellent craftsmanship,” said Stephen, clearly impressed. “Though I am not familiar with the Wynchester coat of arms.”
Marjorie flipped through her sketchbook and tilted one of the pages in his direction. Two animals rose rampant on their hind legs on either side of the imposing black shield.
