The Torbernite Imperative

By Mikala Ash

Can Elizabeth assist a strikingly handsome doctor in solving the mystery of a gruesome murder?

Not a day has passed since the affair of the Turquoise Spider, and Elizabeth Hunter-Payne and members of her EHP Investigation Bureau have already launched into another do or die case, this time involving murder, deceit and airships.

What is Torbernite, and why is it so important? What has it to do with airships? Follow the indefatigable investigator as she tracks down the clues in her own impulsive style while falling for the charms of two virile lovers, all set against the backdrop of a dangerous steam-driven world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Jul 17, 2020

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Chapter One

A Handsome Doctor Seeks My Help

For the life of me, I couldn’t decide. It was extraordinarily vexing.

For the sixth time in an hour I repositioned Jonathan’s portrait on my desk. It was a small oil, a representation of him made shortly before his departure for the Crimea. It was a good likeness, capturing his strong well-defined jaw, generous lips, his slightly bent nose, the result of a fall from a horse, and his piercing blue eyes.

My darling Jonathan, I missed him so. I longed for his kiss, his gentle touch, his passion. My God, I missed his passion. There was more to him than his ability to raise my carnal desires to fever pitch, driving me over the cliff edge of sensual experience -- he was, and always will be, the bedrock of my life.

I forced myself not to go down that road again. The past is past. I knew I should keep it locked up in the box of my heart, like a treasure, and only let it out to comfort me on those long lonely nights, not indulge in its warm glow during broad daylight where there is a life to lead.

Yet I could not hide his portrait. I gazed into his eyes and sighed wistfully. It was the slant of those fine blue eyes that were causing me particular difficulty this morning. I had tried the portrait twice each on the left side, then the centre, and finally the right side of the desk. From that last position it seemed he gazed at me in an approving fashion, from the centre he seemed sceptical, and from the left there was a hint of criticism.

I made a sudden decision, and put Jonathan’s portrait on the left side of my desk because at that moment I felt the legitimate focus of criticism. For what I had done last night, made love to a man I’d known only a few hours, I deserved all of Jonathan’s censure.

Felix. From the moment I saw his bare chest and tight buttocks I’d been experiencing a range of inappropriate, lustful fancies about sex. Even ridiculous mechanical men mimicking fornication had fuelled the sensual fires which had lain dormant inside me since Jonathan’s death.

At the desk opposite mine, Archie, my late husband’s young batman, had his head down busily entering some receipts into the accounts book. With a satisfied smile he closed the accounts book with a thud.

Are we in the positive side of the ledger? I asked jokingly, knowing that we were well and truly solvent. Yesterday’s business had grossed us three thousand pounds, an enormous sum which I still had trouble believing.

We are indeed, ma’am, he said. Oh, our new business cards have arrived.

I clapped my hands like a child and giggled. How exciting.

There was a brown paper packet on my desk which I had not noticed amongst the general disorder. I slit the ends with my letter opener and revealed the stack of gold-embossed cards.

The emblem came out marvellously well, I said.

The letters EHP were in lovely gold surrounded by an intricate design of cogs and gearwork, the inspiration of the printshop, Kellar and Bryan -- Engravers to Her Majesty, the Queen, to signify our rapidly changing world.

I selected a few and put them in my reticule. I stood up and straightened my day dress. I had taken some considerable time that morning in choosing something flattering. Truly, I felt like a schoolgirl. Even Marianne my housemaid had noticed, and had complimented me as we gazed into the mirror. She did not know anything about Felix, and said that she was pleased the previous day’s adventures had not dampened my spirits. The reason behind my fluttering stomach was that Felix had promised he would visit the office after midday, and the noon hour was long beyond that already.

I tried to put my perverse excitement aside by considering clothing in a general way. There had been several times during yesterday’s actions that I’d wished I’d been dressed more practically. There had been much ado in society over the last several years about the Mrs. Bloomer kerfuffle coming from America. I liked current fashions in the social realm, and though getting dressed could sometimes be an ordeal, I did flatter myself that my corset and crinolines created a pleasing silhouette. However, running about and struggling with ruffians with guns was a completely different arena. More comfortable clothing might be advantageous. Men, I thought, have it considerably easy.

The subterfuge by others that I’d uncovered yesterday had planted a seed, and my thoughts naturally went to the practicality of disguise. Could I pull it off? Could I dress as a man and not be detected? I’d seen actresses on the stage adopt male clothing in farces, and some were actually convincing. It was a pity I did not know any actresses. Felix, however, might well do, and I resolved to ask him, when he finally arrived.

There was a soft knock on the door and Archie said, Come in.

The door opened, and it was indeed Felix who looked in. My heart fluttered. He was such a handsome man. In the corner of my eye I noted Jonathan’s critical gaze. God forgive me, but he had made me promise, before he went off to war, to lead a full and happy life in the event of his death. Though at the time of giving that promise I had no intention of fulfilling it, for his death had never been a serious consideration on my part. Last night I’d changed my mind. Felix had agreed to open up my life again to the carnal sensations I had deprived myself. After all, there had to be some advantage to being a widow, and I had decided he was it.

I was not sure I had the right door, Felix said, giving me a deep bow, and a shorter one to Archie.

Archie has arranged a brass plate to be installed later this week, I said. How are you this morning, Felix?

Well, thank you, madam.

His lips curled into a slight smile. My heart jumped, and my cheeks warmed at the sight. The adventure of last night returned with the impact of the midday sun. The memory of his touch, his lips between my thighs preparing me, then his manhood inside me, stroking the innermost recesses of my body was still potent. My flesh warmed with sensual heat, and my quim tingled with remembered passion.

My mouth was suddenly dry, and I took a deep breath to quell my hammering heart. I cleared my throat self-consciously. I take it you agree to my proposal? Then added hastily, The business proposal, I mean, that I put to you yesterday?

I do, madam.

I’d already acquainted Archie with what I proposed, that Felix would be a consultant to our Investigation Bureau, and he had prepared a contract to that effect. Archie, we must formalise Mr… My face flushed with horror, and then shame. Oh my goodness. I don’t know your family name, sir.

Rider, madam. My full name is Albert Rider. My second name is Felix, after a grandfather on my mother’s side. She told me it means lucky, and she always called me by it. In her honour, it is the name I prefer.

I like it better too. It has, I own, more character than Albert, even if the Queen’s husband and eldest son share that name. So, in honour to your mother, we will do the same. Besides, I added. I already count among my friends Archie, and now Alf, our cabbie. A third A will no doubt cause too much confusion.

He laughed at my little joke, and gave me a slight bow.

Where can I find you, Felix?

I have found lodgings at Marylebone Street, near the intended construction of Baker Street Underground Train Station. It is an attic room. The rent is cheap because of the expected inconvenience, but for future there will be ease of transport, both trains and cabs will be found close by.

Excellent. Ensure you have a set of office keys.

Mr. Rider, Archie said quietly, rotating his accounts book so that Felix could see it. If you will allow me to advance you this month’s retainer. I just need your signature here.

This is surely too much, Felix said after reading the entries.

Archie had been of the same mind earlier this morning and had, quite rightly, disputed my decision. I countered his concern with the fact that Felix had tried to save me yesterday, and I thought his character sufficient to employ. I made the point that we could not guarantee him full-time employment, and this amount would mean he did not have to go elsewhere to earn enough money to live, and that he would, in effect, be at our beck and call. Archie did not need to know anything about the secret, and quite licentious, arrangement I had with Felix. With any luck he