The Aunt Paradox (Reeves & Worcester Steampunk Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page A

acquaintance returned with a full beard. Most unfortunate.”
    “You’ve done this before?”
    “On several occasions, Mrs Dean, but not on this particular model of time machine. If you would be so kind as to show me the controls, I will soon pick it up.”
    ~
    Reeves’ plan appeared to be working, though the aunts were getting a touch restless. There was much whispering and the casting of suspicious glances our way.
    “I think it may be judicious, sir,” said Reeves, “if you could divert the room’s attention for ten minutes.”
    “A heart attack, you think?”
    “I was thinking of something less dramatic, sir. Conversation, perhaps?”
    “Tough audience, Reeves, but I’ll give it a try.”
    Given my earlier reception, and the looks I was now getting, I decided to avoid the frontal approach in favour of a flanking movement. The aunts may not have taken to me, but they all appeared to have warm feelings towards Gertie. If I could get Gertie to chat with them, all would be solved.
    The only fly in the o. was Gertie — who was looking decidedly cool towards the aunts. Somehow I had to smooth the furrowed waters.
    “Is Aunt Charlotte all right?” asked Gertie as I approached.
    “Yes. She’ll soon be tickety-boo,” I assured her. “Reeves is sorting out this Bertie business.”
    “I’ve never seen her like that,” said Gertie. “She didn’t appear to know who I was. And who are they ?” Gertie lowered her voice as she pointed with her eyes towards the aunts. “They seem to think they know me.”
    I guided Gertie away from the gravitational pull of the aunts and back into the bay widow where we could talk a little more freely.
    “That’s a good question,” I said. “Would you believe they were a troop of travelling Aunt Charlotte impersonators?”
    “No.”
    It was worth a try.
    “Well ... indeed. That’s because ... that’s because you have a full complement of marbles. Whereas these poor unfortunates ... they do not. You’ve heard of people who believe they’re Napoleon?”
    “Ye-es.”
    “Well, these ladies believe they’re your aunt. Strange, I know. But there it is. Who’d have thought it? The local asylum has dozens of them apparently, and your aunt has kindly allowed them to visit with her this morning.”
    Gertie looked surprised. And not a little confused, but she didn’t look like a person about to denounce R. Worcester from the pulpit for egregious lying.
    Emboldened, I continued. “Yes, sad case, but these visits are believed to be therapeutic. As long as we play along with their delusions, of course.”
    “Of course. Are they ... dangerous?”
    “Only if you cast doubts upon their veracity. Look, they appear to be choosing gowns for a ball. Why don’t you toddle over and offer assistance while I check on Reeves.”
    ~
    That went very well, I thought. The aunts simpered, and picked Gertie’s brain viz. U-bend corsets and this year’s colours and fabrics, while Reeves learned all about time machine controls. At the end of which, Mrs Dean vacated the driver’s seat, and Reeves and I jumped aboard — though I had to move the pile of swag to the foot well to make room for myself.
    I didn’t think we’d get away scot-free, and I was right. A sudden cry arose from the throng of aunts. “What are you doing, Charlotte? You’re not letting them fly the machine! They’ve got our money!”
    Reeves fired up the engine in the nick of time. It was most disconcerting. The room took on a misty appearance, and three auntly apparitions lunged towards us only to pass straight through.
    “That was close, Reeves. Do you have a plan?”
    “I hope so, sir. ”
    “What do you mean, ‘you hope so?’ You always have a plan.”
    “I fear this is a situation where ‘needs must,’ sir. I judge Mrs Dean’s remorse over the events she has precipitated to be fleeting. If she did manage to reverse the unfortunate change to her nephew, I believe she would continue to use the time machine