“Temple made it,” Diana said, “using your design and to show off your skills.”
Sybil rolled her lips between her teeth, unsure what to say.
“I am fascinated by the prospect of a woman inventor.One so valuable she’s at risk of being abducted.But that is not the only reason I’ve brought you here.Your sister-in-law tells me the device you were abducted to figure out is one of great mythological importance.”
Of course she had.Couldn’t keep secrets from the queen.
“Is it true?”the queen asked.“Is it possible?Have you turned lead to gold?”The polished monarch was gone.In her place, a nearly bouncing girl, all rushing red cheeks and scattering curls.
Couldn’t keep secrets from the queen.
But Sybil could.“I was unable to make a prototype of the device.The notes I stole from Mr.Stone are not enough to recreate it.There are many missing variables.”In fact, she’d burned all the prototypes before Temple’s arrival.But one remained.No doubt in Stone’s forge.
The queen stopped bouncing, her dark brow furrowed.“I suppose it was too much to hope for.”Her face brightened.“But we are entering a new age, defined by possibility!And we will discover knowledge that has been hidden from us for centuries.If you have not already, you will give all your notes to your brother.”
Sybil looked to Diana, who shrugged.
“But…” Dangerous to argue with a queen.She’d learned, however, to live a little closer to the edge.“What will Temple do with them?”
“Attempt the impossible, of course, though not a word of his assignment is to be breathed outside these walls.Your brother has been tasked”—the queen raised herself up every one of her scant inches—“with discovering the mechanics of…” She looked at Diana.“What did you call it?”
“Transmutation.”
“Transmutation.Precisely.It’s a matter of national importance.Once others know lead can be turned into gold, a host of problems arise.Destabilization of the Bank of England among them.It will not do.Still… if it can be done, your brother is the one to do it.”
Sybil had already done it.“And you wish me to… share my notes with him?”
“Yes.They will be a great help to the crown.And to your nation.And to thank you for your contribution, I will find you the most perfect husband next season.I’m determined.You’ve studied the list of potential suitors I helped Lady Fordham compile, of course.”
She… had not.She could barely pull the list out of the dark corners of her memory.She’d been busy turning lead into gold.
Say it.The deep voice in her mind had a sardonic edge.It was a voice she never wanted to hear again, a voice she ached to hear at the same time.
I cannot.That Sybil’s voice.He would scoff, he would shake his head.He would be disappointed in her.
As if he’d not disappointed her!
No future.
She must find a husband.
And if she did tell Queen Victoria that she could already transmute metals… the dangerous thing would be out in the world, and everything that had broken between her and Apollo would be for naught.Temple might never create it.She’d sabotage her notes.The secret would go with her to the grave.
Still, his voice whispered,Say it, princess.Don’t let them tell you who you are.
“Perhaps,” the queen said, “we shall marry in the same year.”
Diana tilted her head.“You have been considering it, then?Who?I do not mean to presume, Your Majesty, but I am curious…”
“You shall discover who soon enough.But while I have you here, I thought you might answer a question.In regard to matrimony.The question is of a rather personal nature.”
“I shall do my best,” Diana said.“What in particular are you curious about?”
Queen Victoria’s face puckered.“It’s all sopractical.I should like for there to be more to my union.How did you know you were in love with Lord Fordham?”
Diana hummed.“It took me a while.I was in love with him long before your uncle put me in the tower, but it wasn’t until I was up there that I knew for certain.”
“Because you missed him?”the queen asked.
