A Curious Beginning

Overwhelmed, Rupert takes a large drink of whiskey, leading him to quibble with Stoker over which of their parents drank more alcohol. Stoker insists that he and Veronica will seek answers without Rupert’s help. He says Rupert’s family would be endangered by Rupert’s involvement in the intrigue, but he leaves the stolen book for his brother to pay for.

Stoker and Veronica head to the Tower of London on the assumption that their assailants will not seek them there. Veronica believes it unlikely that the royal family wishes her dead, arguing that Prince Albert Edward “thinks with his heart” and likely loved Lily (288). Stoker recalls that Prince Albert, Albert Edward’s father, died in 1861 after taking a long walk in the rain with his son. They deduce that the pair risked the bad weather to discuss Albert Edward’s marriage and its potential for scandal. They surmise that this would have led Albert Edward to feel guilty for his father’s subsequent illness and death and therefore give in to his mother’s matchmaking with Princess Alexandra.

They wonder about de Clare’s role, positing that he is an Irish separatist who intends to abduct Veronica to Ireland and potentially force her to marry another separatist. She would then give birth to a child who can be raised to support Irish Home Rule. This would mean de Clare is unlikely to wish Veronica dead in the short term, though she worries that her life would be short after she produced this potential heir. It would give him motive to kill Max, though, if Max had refused to give up the evidence of Veronica’s parentage.

Stoker offers Mornaday as another possible suspect, though Veronica finds this unlikely. Veronica recalls Max’s friendship with Prince Albert. She finds it unlikely that Albert Edward would murder Max, whom he called upon to witness his illicit marriage, but Stoker thinks it indicates greater likeliness.

As they leave the Tower of London, they discuss menageries, which are exhibitions of exotic animals kept in captivity. Veronica argues that they should never have existed, framing it as different from her and Stoker’s work as naturalists. She cites her work as “scientific inquiry” rather than “the royal sense of self-importance” (294). They then return to the mystery. Veronica asserts that while the royals might not have hatched the plot themselves, one of their “handlers” could be involved. Stoker again suggests Mornaday, especially if he works for the “Special Branch.” This is a subdivision of Scotland Yard originally formed to “deal with the Irish problem” (295) but who now handle any police matters that require discretion. Veronica wonders if knowledge of such a threat is why Mornaday cautioned them to flee England.

They realize the Special Branch would frame Stoker, then likely kill him to cover their tracks. Stoker’s violent reputation would give the story credibility. He considers following Mornaday’s advice and fleeing, but Veronica balks at spending her life on the run. He offers to marry her for propriety if they leave together, but neither of them wishes this. Veronica offers to pay for Stoker to leave the country while she remains and fights. This insults Stoker’s sense of honor. He insists they will fight together.

Veronica hatches a plan to invite all the suspects together to meet them face-on. Stoker objects, but Veronica is insistent. They have Badger send Veronica’s invitations, then warn him away from the warehouse that evening. Stoker spends the day working on the elephant while Veronica assembles clues. She confirms Mornaday’s credentials as a detective, causing Stoker to recount his past with the head of the Special Branch, Sir Hugo Montgomerie, who tracked Stoker down on his father’s behest when Stoker ran away as a child. Montgomerie’s involvement is likely what led Stoker to become a suspect in Max’s murder.

In a rare moment of self-doubt, Veronica asks Stoker about times he has feared death. Even on her adventures, she has always taken her survival for granted. He comforts her and insists they will succeed. In anticipation of the suspects’ arrivals, they arrange the workshop theatrically, with a large cauldron at the center. Inside the cauldron, they build a large fire. Promptly at nine o’clock, they hear a knock at the door.

De Clare enters with Little John; Veronica greets him as “Uncle.” He feigns familial love, though he quickly angers when Veronica disbelieves him. Mornaday and Sir Hugo Montgomerie enter next. Montgomerie confirms he knows de Clare as a key agitator for Home Rule. Veronica explains her parentage, and Mornaday confirms her suspicion that Lily and Albert Edward met in North America. He knows this from a Scotland Yard file on the affair, created at Prince Albert’s behest. Neither Mornaday nor Montgomerie knew of the proof of Lily and Albert Edward’s marriage. Veronica produces her papers, presenting them as the reason for Max’s death.

De Clare blames Max’s death on Silent John, offering to turn John over to the police if Veronica comes to Ireland. De Clare tries to convince Veronica that she will be safe with him in Ireland; she counters that he wishes to use her as a “puppet” for his political gains. Montgomerie claims he must arrest Veronica to protect the royal family. Veronica counters that she does not threaten the Crown; the proof of her birth does. Stoker tosses formaldehyde on the papers, causing them to be instantly destroyed when she tosses them in the fire. Furious, de Clare attacks Stoker. When Stoker fights off the attack, he inadvertently knocks de Clare into the cauldron. The formaldehyde causes de Clare’s clothes to instantly burst into flame. De Clare throws himself out the workshop windows and into the Thames. His Irish allies flee as the warehouse begins to burn.

Mornaday pulls Veronica outside while Stoker returns to the burning building to rescue his dog. When Montgomerie smugly watches the building burn, Veronica points out that de Clare, who has a boat, likely survived his fall into the water. She reveals that Mornaday knew about the boat, causing Montgomerie to shout at his subordinate. To Veronica’s relief, Stoker emerges from the warehouse with an unharmed Huxley. Montgomerie is astonished that Veronica did not seek to take the throne and promises to speak to her again soon.

Stoker and Veronica meet Mornaday and Montgomerie the next morning. Montgomerie acts pleased to see them, chatting about butterfly-catching, until Veronica accuses him of plotting to kill her and frame Stoker. He inadvertently reveals that the plot existed, but he never intended to kill her. Montgomerie attempts to give Veronica bribe money, but she refuses to take it. He warns that this will not reassure the royals. As Veronica and Stoker depart, Mornaday advises keeping quiet so that the royals will cease to view Veronica as a threat. He admits that the person who gives him orders is a woman.

Stoker and Veronica return to the Belvedere. Veronica is saddened to know she will likely never meet her father and that there will be no justice for Max’s murder. Worse, she no longer has a reason to spend time with Stoker, whom she still regards as highly mysterious. They have dinner with the Beauclerks. At the end of the meal, when only Rosemorran and Veronica remain, he urges her to reveal her troubles, and she tells him of her low mood. He listens carefully, which improves Veronica’s impression of him. Veronica suggests making the Belvedere into a museum, and Rosemorran agrees.

Veronica leaves the Belvedere on the day of the Jubilee without seeing Stoker or Huxley again. She watches the royal procession, including her father, the Prince of Wales. On her way back to the Belvedere, she finds Stoker, who teases her about going to see her “granny.” They discuss the remaining mystery of Montgomerie’s employer, and Veronica pays Stoker the guinea she lost in their wager. She explains her proposal to Rosemorran, which will include salaries, lodging, and funded expeditions for Veronica and Stoker. Stoker admits being pleased that they will continue to work together. To her shock, he produces the real papers indicating Veronica’s birth, as he had given her false ones, and wishes her happy birthday; by the date in the documents, she is 25 that day. She keeps them for now, and the two being planning their museum.