Clockworks and Corsets

by Regina Riley

Atom grinned before he dipped his head in obvious embarrassment.

  “It was also stupid,” she added.

  He opened and closed his mouth several times in succession as if unsure how to address the backhanded compliment.

  “But brave nonetheless,” Rose finished.

  Atom settled on a smile. “It was my honor. Really.”

  “Just don’t do it again,” Rose said. “I can’t have people thinking that it’s deadly to travel with me. Can I?”

  With care, Atom tried to sit upright. Dot rushed forward and helped him lean against the headboard. “Doctor, I cannot thank you enough—”

  “Hey!” Jayne shouted.

  “Dot, Jayne,” Rose said. “Will you please wait outside?”

  “He just—” Jayne tried to say.

  “Come on,” Dot said over Jayne. She gathered the young girl by the shoulders and escorted her to the door. “She needs a moment alone with him. You can tell me all about what happened out there.”

  “Jayne?” Atom asked.

  The tinker turned back with a hateful look.

  “Thank you too.” He motioned to his wound before he added, “I know you had a hand in this.”

  Jayne seemed ready to deliver another speech. Before she could, Dot pushed her through the door. The room fell quiet. Rose stood with her back to her desk, staring at the stranger on her bed.

  Atom’s gaze darted around the room, looking everywhere but her.

  “I’m sorry to be such an inconvenience,” he said. “I really had hoped this would be—”

  “Who are you?” Rose asked.

  Atom stopped. He looked down at his mechanical hand, flexing it over and over while he considered the question. A light creak filled the air with every curl of the metal fingers.

  Rose sighed. This was going to be more difficult than she would have liked. She pulled her chair across the room to the side of the bed, where she sat and propped her feet beside of him. She eyed Atom before she asked again, “Who are you?”

  “All I know is that I’m Atom Loquacious,” he answered. He still wouldn’t meet her gaze.

  Rose leaned in closer to him. “Then let’s try a different question, shall we?”

  Atom continued to look at his hand.

  Flex, creak.

  Flex, creak.

  Flex, creak.

  “What are you, Atom Loquacious?” Rose asked.

  The creaking stopped. The silence that followed seemed as accusatory as Rose’s tone.

  Atom turned up to her with a pain-filled expression. “I don’t know. All I know is that I am Atom Loquacious.”

  Rose hated to do this, hated to make him dig so deep when it obviously caused him distress.

  Damn it! She needed to know what the hell was going on with her ship! She pressed on. “You aren’t Doctor Loquacious’s real son, are you?”

  Atom shook his head. “I never said I was.”

  “You said he was your father.”

  “Yes, because he...” Atom paused, looking away before he finished with, “He made me.”

  That was the answer Rose had been looking for. “I see.”

  Atom hung his head, as if in shame.

  “How long were you with the doctor?” Rose asked. “Before he left you, I mean.”

  “Ten years.”

  “When did he leave?”

  “He abandoned me five years ago.”

  “So you’ve been on that island for fifteen years?”

  Atom nodded. “I really am lucky that you came along.”

  “Maybe,” Rose said. She sucked a quick breath through her teeth before she added, “Maybe not.”

  Atom didn’t seem to hear her last remark. “I’m so sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “For all the trouble I must have caused. For deceiving you.”

  “You just said yourself that you never lied. You never said you were his real son. We just assumed—”

  “Yes, but I didn’t clarify,” he said over her. “That’s as good as a lie.”

  “Didn’t your father ever teach you that it’s human nature to lie?”

  Atom narrowed his eyes at her. “Don’t you understand? I’m not...” His words faded, as if he couldn’t bring himself to say them.

  “Don’t fool yourself,” Rose said. “You’re more human than most men I know.”

  Atom dipped his head again.

  Smiling, Rose placed her hand on Atom’s. “See, you’re embarrassed. What could be more human than that?”

  “I was made,” he said, pulling his hand away. “Not born. I have no father, no mother.”

  Rose lowered her feet to lean forward. Propping her elbows on her knees, she pressed her fingers together and leveled them at Atom while she spoke. “You were put together by a man—”

  “Which makes me a construct,” Atom interrupted her.

  Rose just barreled on with her words. “A man who cared enough about your safety to conceal you in the deepest, darkest jungle he could find so no one else could get their hands on you. Sounds like a father to me.”

  “You don’t think he abandoned me?”

  “No. I think he was hiding you.”

  “Hiding me,” Atom echoed.

  “Yes.”

  “From who? Who would want me?”

  Rose couldn’t help her laughter. She knew at least one girl who wanted the young man. Still, that wasn’t what she, or he, was talking about. “Some really bad people, Atom. You’ve been on that island your whole life. You have no idea how cruel some people can be.”

  “Why me?”

  “Because of that maybe?” Rose pointed to his mechanical hand.

  Atom looked down at the hand in question and flexed it again. The loud creak echoed through the small chamber.

  “Jayne should be back with some fluid for you later,” Rose said. “To replace what you lost.”

  Atom eyed the dark stains that streaked his fleshy fingers. “I’m sorry about your sheets. I don’t suppose this will ever come out.”

  “Don’t worry. It won’t be the first time we’ve had oil in the bed.” The shocked expression that came over his face made Rose laugh again. “You really are quite sheltered.”

  Atom looked away, as if embarrassed again.

  “Listen,” Rose said. “I’m going to leave you in Jayne’s capable hands for your repairs.”

  “I’m sure she knows what to do,” Atom said.

  “There are a few things you need to know about her first. Did your father ever tell you about the Mechanics?”

  “No.”

  “They are a nasty group. A bunch of crackpot zealots who swear fealty to all things mechanical. No offense meant.”

  “None taken.”

  “They believe that technology is the only road to salvation for the souls of mankind. They preach the way of the clockwork and the might of the engineers to smite the Luddites of the world.”

  “Is Jayne one of these Mechanics?”

  “She used to be. Her parents sold her to the group when she was just a baby. That’s how they recruit members. She has no idea who her real family is.”

  “How horrible.”

  “Indeed. A few years ago she came to me, looking for a place to hide.”

  “On the run from them?”

  “Yes. I’m afraid she failed to meet their requirements to become a priestess.”

  “I don’t see how. She’s very clever. She’s such a bright girl.”

  Rose smiled at the kindness. Atom was a true gentleman. No wonder Gabriella was falling so hard. “True, but Jayne has a wild streak for unusual inventions. It gets her into a lot of trouble.

  Even with me. The Mechanic’s penalty for such behavior was death.”

  “So she sought shelter aboard your vessel.”

  “Yes.”

  “Which you gave her despite the obvious consequences.”

  Rose cocked her head at him. What was he driving at?

  “That was very...humane of you,” Atom said
with a smile.

  “This is serious,” she said, despite her own smile. “The Mechanics beat the beliefs of their laws into their members. Jayne swears that she is through with them, and I trust her, but I’m going to have to ask the same of you. Will you trust her?”

  “Yes,” Atom said without hesitation.

  “Excellent,” Rose said. She stood. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have to—”

  “What does she think of me?” Atom asked in a low voice.

  “Who?” Rose asked as if she had no idea.

  Atom hung his head even lower, waiting for an answer.

  Rose sat on the bed and leaned in close to him. “She doesn’t know.”

  Atom turned toward her, his strange eyes imploring her for the truth.

  “She doesn’t know,” Rose repeated. “Dot and Jayne will keep it quiet for as long as you wish. It’s your business, Atom, not ours. I suggest being honest with her. I know I would appreciate the truth.”

  “I see,” Atom said. “Thank you, Captain.”

  “You’re welcome. Would you like to see her?”

  Atom smiled. “Yes, please.”

  “Let’s get you to your own quarters then. I realize you just saved my life, but I’ll be damned if I’m sleeping in any bed other than my own.”

  Chapter 12

  Ship for Hire

  In which our Gabriella falls in love, and our captain makes her final decision.

  Gabriella stood outside Atom’s room, gathering her courage.

  When he was fighting for his life behind closed doors, she found she had so much to tell him. So many things to say. The threat of losing him brought out so many emotions in her. Now that he was safe, and the threat had passed, she didn’t know what she felt anymore.

  Click opened the door. He smiled down at her. “He’s all settled in. You can see him now.”

  “Thank you.” She slipped past Click into the small berth.

  Atom was in the bed, propped on a mountain of pillows, with his shirt removed, showing his bandage. Morning sunlight strayed in from the poorly shaded windows, highlighting his alabaster complexion. Gabriella should have been scandalized to visit a man in his bedchambers, especially a half dressed one. But after the incidents of the previous night, she supposed any sense of real normality in their relationship was long gone.

  “Hello.” She took a seat beside his bed.

  “Hello.” Atom pulled the blankets a little tighter around him.

  “Well. I’ll just leave you two alone, shall I?” Click ducked out before anyone could argue.

  The room went quiet and they stared at one another.

  Gabriella cleared her throat before she motioned to the bandage at his shoulder. “Does it hurt?”

  Atom looked down to it. “Not much. All things considered.”

  “That was a very brave thing you did.”

  “It was nothing.”

  The room was quiet again for a little while.

  “Gabriella,” Atom said, absentmindedly picking the lint from his blanket.

  “Yes?”

  “I have something I feel I need to tell you.” He looked down at his mechanical hand, his eyes narrowed with a look of worry, as if he had bad news for her.

  “Is it about your arm?”

  “Sort of.”

  Gabriella laid her hand over his metal hand. “I don’t care about that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that it’s not important. I don’t think any less of you because of it.”

  “Well, that’s good because—” he started.

  “In fact, I’m rather fond of it,” she said over him.

  He lifted his confused face to hers. “You are?”

  She raised his mechanical hand to her face and cradled it next to her cheek.

  Atom swallowed hard.

  The metal hand twitched against her flesh. The cold feel of it brought out an unusual desire in her. She longed to feel Atom’s mechanical hand run through her hair, brush over her lips, trace across her bare skin, and sink deep between her legs. This last thought set her soul ablaze, not to mention her face. The heat rose to her cheeks, signaling the threat of panic. Gabriella forced herself to calm down. The last thing she wanted was for Atom to think she was just another flighty girl, especially with the ever composed Jayne aboard. Somehow, Gabreilla managed to regain control of her emotions before her entire body went crimson with shame, embarrassment, lust, and want.

  “See, I’m fine with it,” she said. She placed his hand back onto the bed. “I don’t think you’re any less of a man just because you have a mechanical hand.”

  Atom looked down at the extremity in question. “Any less of a man.”

  “It doesn’t change the way I feel about you one bit.”

  “Any less of a man,” he said again.

  “Atom?” she asked. “Are you okay?”

  He looked up at her. “Exactly how do you feel about me?”

  Gabriella panicked. Even though she had practiced this moment for the last few hours, she was now at a loss.

  She wanted to say, ‘I can’t stop thinking about you.’

  Or perhaps, ‘you drive me mad with desire, Atom Loquacious.’

  Or even, ‘I think I’m falling in love with you.’

  Instead, she said, “I think you’re a wonderful man.”

  He closed his eyes before he asked, “Do you?”

  What was she saying? Here was the bravest, not to mention most handsome man she had ever met, and all she could say was how wonderful she thought he was. It was a sorrowful pittance for all he had done. Inviting them so kindly into his home. Exposing his handicap in order to free them all. Taking a spear for her captain. He had risked his very life. Didn’t he deserve more? That odd feeling came over Gabriella again. This time she couldn’t control it. Before she knew what she was doing, she leaned forward and laid her lips on his.

  At first, Atom froze under her mouth, his lips cold, stiff.

  Gabriella was by no means a book of experience, but even she knew this was not a good sign.

  She was just about to back off when the young man eased his hands up her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. He parted his lips, drinking her full, open-mouthed and sweet. After a few moments of this gentle union, Atom wrapped his mechanical arm around her waist, pressed his mouth to hers with even more force than before, and kissed her with such a fiery passion that Gabriella wondered if he intended to consume her whole.

  Gabriella fell into that kiss, tumbling head over heels deeper in love than she ever thought possible. For that’s what it was. There was no denying it now. She loved this strange man, mechanical hand and all. There was no going back. She was in love. She felt things she had never felt before—so raw, so wild, so unexplainably hot.

  “Oops,” Jax said from the doorway. “Sorry.”

  Gabriella pulled away from Atom, her cheeks burning with desire and embarrassment. She didn’t mind one bit.

  “Don’t stop on my account,” Jax said with a grin. “I’ll come back later.” She pulled the door closed behind her.

  The room was quiet once again, yet this time the sensation of unease was gone, replaced by a splendid, warm glow. Gabriella felt Atom’s metal hand on hers. She looked at him and was pleased to see a wide grin spread across his handsome face.

  “Did you have something you wanted to tell me?” she asked.

  Atom shook his head. “It can wait. There are more important things to talk about.”

  “Like what?” Gabriella asked. She was hoping they could do more than just talk. Not much more, mind you, but enough.

  “You can tell me how wonderful I am again. If you want.”

  Gabriella certainly wanted to.

  She felt like she wanted to do just that very thing for the rest of her life.

  * * * *

  Rose sat at the head of the table, eying her weary crew. “I know you’re all ready for a good night’s rest, so I’ll be brief.”

  J
ax rushed into the mess hall. She took her seat near Rose. “I don’t think Guppy will join us. She has her hands full.”

  The crew chuckled for a few moments, then wound down to a silent reverence. They all looked at Rose, for answers.

  Rose sighed while she rubbed her temples with her fingertips. “First of all, I feel I need to apologize—”

  “No,” Magpie said.

  Rose looked at the interruption with a frown.

  “We all went with you willingly,” Magpie continued. “We won’t have you saying you’re sorry for something we all walked right into.”

  “Hear, hear!” Jax concurred.

  The others nodded, murmuring their agreement.

  “It certainly weren’t your fault,” Magpie continued, “that the lab was empty.”

  Again nods and grunts rounded the room as the crew agreed.

  “In fact,” Jax said, “it would serve Ruby right if we go back and demand our wages. We did work. We deserve our pay.”

  Shouts of “aye” and “hear, hear” flooded the room. Rose held up a hand, signaling for the crew to simmer down.

  “The laboratory wasn’t empty,” she said.

  Several pairs of inquisitive eyes begged her for details.

  “The cargo Ruby wanted is aboard the ship,” Rose said.

  “What cargo?” Jax asked.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Jayne asked. “Ruby wants Atom’s arm.”

  “Or Atom,” Rose added.

  All eyes went wide.

  “Captain!” Magpie shouted. “You can’t be serious!”

  “I don’t believe it,” Jax said.

  “My captain,” Click said, “I cannot, in good faith, allow such a—”

  “Quiet!” Rose shouted.

  The room went silent. Rose rubbed her temples again. This was becoming too much. She was getting too old for this kind of thing. The crew stared at her in silence for a few moments, before Rose rolled out another exasperated sigh. “Magpie.”

  Magpie stared at Rose, arms crossed with her lip jutted out in an angry southern pout. She didn’t answer.

  “Please send Ruby a bird as soon as we are within range,” Rose said.

  “What should I say?” Magpie asked.

  Everyone held their breath, awaiting Rose’s answer.

  “Tell her.” Rose paused to grin at her loyal crew. “Tell her that the lab was empty, and we have nothing to show for our efforts.”