The Inventor (The Legend Chronicles) Read Free Page A

moments later by an even more impressive presence than the Hargrieves. He could hear her approach before he even saw the Queen as whispers of “Your Majesty” rippled through the crowd. Bows and curtsies ebbed and flowed about the Queen and her scarlet-coated guards as they passed.
    Marley whipped his black top hat from his head and went down on one knee as the Queen approached. “Rise, Sir Turlock. Is this the mechanical wonder of which you wrote to us?”
    He stood, and his gaze lowered so he could connect with hers. It was hard to imagine that a woman so tiny was the ruler of half the known world. She was a conundrum. A widow who still ruled society. A powerhouse whose empire spanned the globe, and yet a good foot shorter than himself. “It is, Your Majesty.”
    She paused for a moment, her keen gaze roving over the machine. “It looks very impressive. Have you tested it as yet?”
    “Not this version, Your Majesty. There have been modifications made only recently that I think will even better serve Your Majesty’s requests. I was hoping to do so in conjunction with the test of my latest invention that is designed to create an airborne power source to fuel engines, factories, and even towns.”
    “Quite so. Please see to it you inform us of your test plans. We are very interested in your work, Sir Turlock. Very interested.”
    A giddy wash of delight sparked through him, like the shock off of an electrical wire. The Queen liked his work. He still had a chance! “Of course, Your Majesty. I am ever your servant.” He bowed again.
    The crowd parted before her as she swept away to another exhibit in the hall.
    Now the crowd clamored even more. Before the end of the day Marley had several orders for other inventions of his as well as design requests for a few things he’d never considered. Thadeus was going to be elated when he heard. Their fledgling operation was certain to get support now, giving both of them a reason to be free of their mothers’ worrisome diatribes on trying something more suited to a gentleman.
    Today might have started out horribly wrong, but it was dh="but it efinitely looking up.

Chapter 2
     
    The next day, Marley and his cousin Thadeus should have been working, but instead Marley was toiling and Thadeus was peppering him with questions. They were in their somewhat damp laboratory in the basement of Bostwick House, which belonged to Thadeus’s father.
    Thankfully they weren’t dependent on the weak sunlight that struggled through the ivy crawling up the high windows as it took over the outside of the house. Brilliant light from an arc lamp powered by an electromagnetic dynamo generator lit their space as brightly as the midday sun, even at midnight. Their workbenches were surrounded by neatly ordered coils of wire, bright metal sheeting, and canisters of oil, grease, and flux needed to weld pieces of metal tubing together. Shelves and cabinets held their large glass jars of gears, screws, and other small bits needed for their mechanical experimentation.
    The pleasant scent of toast, coddled eggs, and kippers still filled the air even though they’d eaten every morsel, and their empty plates were stacked on a small table near the dumbwaiter awaiting a trip to the kitchen.
    Marley had just about had his fill of his cousin’s questions. Thadeus, who was three years his junior, was a complete and utter moron when it came to pretty females. He lost all common sense, daydreamed about them, and spent far too much of his time thinking about how to gain their attention rather than working on the project at hand. He leaned his chin on his fist and asked, “Is she quite beautiful?”
    “Yes. I suppose.” Marley readjusted his glasses, his irritation at the question evident in his tone. For some inexplicable reason Thad’s keen interest was more disconcerting than usual.
    “You suppose?”
    Marley glared at him. The family resemblance was evident. Boring brown eyes and dark brown hair, only he