Read The Diamond Conspiracy: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel for Free Online

they had seen did more than just threaten the integrity of the Ministry, but hinted to a possible threat against the Crown itself. Sussex was far too close to Her Majesty for comfort, but they would need to build their case and make it as strong and as airtight as it could be. The
Ares
gave them both a focus and a distraction that took less of a toll on their bodies.
    Or so Eliza thought.
    Once more, as they had been their first night together, they were stained with grime and grease, weary worn from their work on Wellington’s motorcar. With materials that the Office of the Supernatural and Metaphysical had supplied to them just before launch, the Mark I was now outfitted with the lighter, slimmer Maxim guns behind the headlamps. It was a real surprise to see that the Americans, who prided themselves as being innovators of technology and industry, were so well stocked in products from Samson Fox and the Leeds Forge. Wellington seemed most excited to incorporate these flues into the engine array. She recalled how Wellington, a year ago, bored her to the core with his prattling on about the sciences and modern marvels. Now, listening to him talk about the importance of corrugated boiler flues and how it would increase efficiency and output from the
Ares
, was akin to reading a good book. She had seen what the Mark I had done in its initial test run, and provided Wellington’s theories werecorrect—and she had this feeling that they would be—she could share in the thrill Wellington took from this addition.
    Albeit, for probably different reasons.
    The refitting of
Ares
was going smoothly. The only thing that could slow down their progess . . .
    “I have been reconsidering the replacement of all the Gatlings, Eliza.”
    . . . would be if Welly questioned her judgement call concerning the ordnance.
    “Strange, as I could swear we had shared this conversation yesterday.”
    “We did.”
    “So you’ve reconsidered after sleeping on the matter.”
    He pursed his lips, then said, “I wouldn’t say I
slept
on the matter per se.”
    She paused, then felt a smile form on her lips. “Oh yes, how silly of me to forget that.”
    “I’m surprised you could.” Wellington grimaced, working a kink in his neck. “I am tenderised enough that I’m ready for stew.”
    “We just need to build up your stamina, Books,” Eliza said, rapping the back of her hand against his chest. She hoped he hadn’t caught her flinching as she did so. Good Lord, that should not have hurt her as much as it did. “And with all the lifting and torqueing and refitting we have done today . . .”
    “But the Gatling under the tumble seat . . .”
    “Oh now, Welly . . .”
    “No, just listen to me on this, and yes I know we have talked about this, but—”
    Eliza stopped, turning to look at Wellington. He looked most perplexed.
    “Welly?”
    “This—” His mouth was open but no words came out. Then he cleared his throat and said, “This is how you feel when you talk to me, isn’t it?”
    Eliza grinned smugly. “How’s it fit?”
    “Not . . . not well.” He shrugged, nodding in resignation, then continued. “The Gatling gun is heavier, yes, but it has stopping power that you would need, dare I say want, when you wish to dissuade those wishing to engage in pursuit, yes?”
    She leaned in to counter his argument, just as she had done in the past concerning the retrofit of the headlamp cannons; but there was a sound reasoning—dammit—in his argument. Why couldn’t her arguments have those too?
    “I’m just considering where we would need the extra ‘kick’ as it were and I am thinking we would rather have it covering our escape.”
    There had to be a way she could get in a final say on this . . .
    Oh, damn it all, he was right. “Explosive bolts as before,” she insisted, resuming her walk to their stateroom. “If we have to take flight, we will not want that much weight.”
    “Agreed.” He was quiet for a