by C. J. Archer
Cyclops shoveled two entire rashers of bacon into his mouth and nodded.
"The food was good, although Mrs. Potter is better," Matt said.
"Glad we weren't invited then," Duke said from the sideboard where he helped himself to sausages. "We had a quiet evening here, playing poker, and went to bed early. Didn't we?" he said, turning around with his full plate.
Willie glared at him over her cup of tea. Cyclops concentrated on his breakfast, shoveling in more bacon. Matt frowned.
"Did you and Hope talk for long?" I asked quickly, latching on to the first topic I could think of. I wished I hadn't. I wasn't interested in hearing more about the pretty and gracious Hope.
"A good half hour. Aunt Letitia interrupted us a few times, but Aunt Beatrice kept luring her away again so that I could be alone with Hope and 'get to know her better,'" he mimicked. "Hope and I laughed about it."
I sipped my tea and glanced at him over the rim of the cup only to see him already watching me with an indecipherable frown.
Willie set her cup down with a clatter in the saucer, drawing everyone's attention. "Forget her," she said. "Letty says that girl's cunning, and I believe her."
"You've never met her," Matt said.
"I trust Letty's judgment. She's known her nieces their entire lives."
"She also thinks a knight saved her from a dragon once."
"Hope won't want to move to the States, Matt."
"Is that what this is about? You think I'll stay here because of a woman?"
"Can't say I haven't thought about it." Willie tore off a corner of toast. "We all have, haven't we?"
Duke and Cyclops didn't look up from their plates.
"Cowards," Willie muttered.
Matt set his knife and fork down and rested his palms flat on the table. "Let me put all your minds at ease. I am not considering marrying Hope, or any of her sisters. I'm not considering the Haviland girl or anyone else my aunts dredge up. I am not marrying. Not until I know I have a future. Is that clear?"
The three of them nodded. I felt like an interloper, eavesdropping on a conversation not meant for my ears. Until Matt turned his gaze squarely on me.
"India?" he said, a little gentler.
I nodded quickly.
He picked up his knife and fork. "Good. So what have we got on today?"
Everyone expelled a breath. It wasn't often Matt grew cross with his friends, and I could see from their uncertain glances at one another that they weren't sure how to react.
"We need to find someone with an interest in archaeology," I said. "The problem is, I don't know how. It's Sunday. Any archaeological societies will be closed."
"We'll go to church," Matt announced.
"You're going to ask God to reveal an archaeologist to us?"
"I'm going to ask Aunt's acquaintances. Archaeology is a gentleman's hobby. One of her friends may know someone we can speak to."
There were quite a number of new faces at church, most of which turned to us as we entered. Or, more specifically, to Matt. They followed his progress to his seat then bent their heads together to whisper. It wasn't at all surprising to me, particularly when I noticed that each little group had a girl of marriageable age with them.
"What the hell is going on?" Matt muttered. "Why is everyone staring?"
"It seems you are the latest sensation."
"I've been here almost three weeks. Why now?"
"Your aunt has only just begun sending word out. Aren't you enjoying the attention?" I teased.
"I feel like a tiger in a cage."
"Retract your claws for a little while and smile, for your aunt's sake."
His scowl deepened. "You're enjoying this."
Did I like every woman in church admiring his handsome face and assessing whether he'd be a good husband? Did I like that I sat beside him and not a single one of his admirers even knew I was there? No, I did not. I could see that I'd been quickly dismissed as the companion already confined to the spinster's shelf, an invisible person whom no one considered a threat. It left a sour taste in my mouth and a hollow ache in my chest.
"The Havilands are here," Miss Glass, sitting on Matt's other side, whispered. "Over there. That's Oriel Haviland in blue and white. She's an excellent singer, artist—"
"Tinker, tailor, solider and sailor," he growled. "Yes, you told me. Frequently."
"Look at her eyes," said Miss Glass, not put off in the least. "They sparkle with intelligence and wit, don't they, India? Look, Matthew."
"I am looking," he hissed, following his aunt's gaze.
Mrs. and Miss Haviland nodded and smiled. The gentleman on the girl's other side, probably her father, also gave Matt a nod. Mrs. Haviland waved and Miss Glass waved back. The girl blushed and demurely looked down at her prayer book.
"Such a lovely, sweet natured girl," Miss Glass went on. "Her family is very respectable. Her mother's side is related to the earls of Quinley."
"Thank God," Matt muttered.
I thought it was a strange thing to say following on from Miss Glass's description of the Haviland family until I saw the vicar enter.
After church, Matt made his aunt happy by asking to be introduced to Mr. Haviland.
"I knew you'd fall in love with Oriel the moment you set eyes on her." She nodded and smiled as acquaintances filed past but did not engage any in conversation. More than one mother appeared put out by it, and their daughters did too.
"I have not fallen in love with her," Matt whispered while simultaneously smiling politely at two young women who nodded at him as they passed. They hurried off, giggling into their fans.
"You will," his aunt sang. She spied the Havilands and waved.
Mrs. Haviland waved back and pushed her daughter toward us. The girl stumbled a little before regaining her balance. She turned on a smile then bobbed a curtsy for Matt. Miss Glass made the introductions.
"It's very nice to meet you," Matt said, shaking Mr. Haviland's hand. "I haven't seen you here until now."
"We usually attend the service at Christ Church," Mrs. Haviland said. "But we felt like a walk today. It's such a lovely day to be out."
Matt glanced at the sky. It was gray and threatened rain. Mr. Haviland chuckled. "My wife wanted to see you," he said with a knowing smile. "To get your measure."
"Mr. Haviland!" his wife cried. "How you do exaggerate. Not at all. Although I am glad to have met you, Mr. Glass. You're everything your aunt described and more."
"Really?" Matt drawled in a strong accent.
"My wife is a quick judge of character," Mr. Haviland said with a hearty laugh. He turned his smile onto me and thrust out his hand. "And you are?"
"Miss Steele," Matt said with an admonishing glance at his aunt who should have introduced me, since the Havilands were her acquaintances.
"Delighted," Mr. Haviland said. "Are you related to Mr. and Miss Glass?"
"She's the companion," Mrs. Haviland said without so much as a glance at me. She nudged her daughter.
The girl sprang to life like an automaton whose key had been turned. She straightened her back and smiled. "What a lovely service. Don't you think so, Mr. Glass?"
Miss Glass looped her arm in mine. "India, would you mind walking with me?"
She steered me away as Matt gave Miss Haviland a polite answer then engaged her father in conversation. No doubt he would soon have the information he needed about archaeologists.
"We must leave him alone so that he can be his usual charming self with the young ladies." Miss Glass's hand tightened. She stopped and forced me to face her. I expected to see a warning in her eyes, but what I saw hurt more. Pity. This woman, a spinster her entire life, knew that I was as unlikely to find myself a husband as she was. "You understand, don't you, India?" she asked gently.
I nodded. Oh, yes, I understood the need for me to stay away from Matt in social situations, lest people come to the wrong conclusion. My constant presence must be a stick in her spokes. It was a wonder she allowed m
e to come along and sit with her and Matt at all.
That was unkind of me. I knew she liked me; I could see it in her eyes now, and the way she was with me when her friends weren't around. But she'd been born into a system that didn't allow us to be equals, or allow Matt and I to be anything more than employee and employer to one another. I could hardly blame her for it.
"So?" Willie asked, joining us along with Cyclops and Duke. "Is Matt asking that man about archaeologists?"
"Why would he do that?" Miss Glass asked, glancing over her shoulder. She sighed when she saw that Matt had engaged Mr. Haviland in conversation again, and Mrs. and Miss Haviland stood by with twin expressions of frustration on their faces.
"That's the Haviland girl," I told them.
"You mean the one so accomplished that it's a miracle she ain't been hitched to a prince yet?" Willie's cutting remark fell on deaf ears. Miss Glass didn't acknowledge her.
Matt broke away from Mr. Haviland and strode toward us with determined steps and a thunderous expression. What the devil had transpired between them to make him so upset?
"India." Cyclops moved closer to me and placed his hand on my back. "It's Hardacre. Want me to run him off?"
"Eddie?" I peered past Cyclops and my heart sank. My former fiancé had already spotted me and headed our way.
Matt reached us at the same time as Eddie. Between he and Cyclops, I felt quite safe. Not that I ever felt danger from Eddie. His cruelty was verbal, not violent.
"There you are, India," Eddie said, a hesitant smile on his face as he glanced at each of the men flanking me. "Mr. Glass, what a pleasant surprise to see you again."
"Is it?" Matt said, a sharp edge to his tone.
"What do you want, Eddie?" I asked.
"To see you." He tried on a brighter smile, but it didn't reach his eyes and quickly faded when he saw that I didn't return it. "You look well. That dress suits you."
"Save your flattery for a woman who'll fall for it. I no longer do."
He cleared his throat. "Yes. I'll get to the point, then. When we parted, you mentioned you'd made notes regarding some of the timepieces in the shop. Since you have no need of them, I thought you might like to give them to me."
"Finding it difficult to fix some?" I asked.
Willie chuckled. She and Duke watched on from behind Eddie. Between the five of us, we'd managed to surround him, and Eddie had only just noticed. His face paled and he fingered his tie. Miss Glass had wandered off to speak with friends, for which I was glad.
"Some of your father's clocks and watches are unique," Eddie said. "His methods were not always conventional. The notes you made to fix them would help a great deal."
"They're my notes, Eddie, and they are not part of the inheritance. You're not getting them."
"It's a shame to see such fine pieces go to waste." He sighed. "I'd have to throw them out or sell them at bargain prices if I can't get them to work. Pity."
"India made her position clear," Matt said. "She's not giving you the notes."
Eddie inched away from Matt. "India?"
"You're wasting your time," I said. "Good day."
I went to leave, but his hand whipped out and caught my arm. Matt and Cyclops stepped forward and Eddie let me go. He swallowed. "I also want to give you a warning, India. Considering our history together, I think it only fair that I advise you to stay away from Abercrombie."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Matt turn to me. I couldn't quite see his expression, but I knew that he was waiting for me to deny it. "India hasn't been to see him lately," he said.
"She went last night." Eddie sounded like he was giving a victory speech, he was so smug. "That's the thing with India, Mr. Glass. You have to keep your eye on her or she does and says things no gently-bred woman ought to do and say. God save us from women with a mind of their own, eh?"
His chuckle died on his lips as Matt turned his icy glare onto him. "Go away."
Eddie backed off, hands in the air. Willie and Duke parted and he slipped through the gap between them. He turned and hurried up the street.
"India," Matt growled, gripping my arm hard. "Why in God's name did you visit Abercrombie without me?"
I jerked free and squared up to him. I was tired of Eddie ordering me about and tired of Matt doing so too.
"We went with her," Cyclops assured him.
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"Don't, Matt," I said, keeping my voice low. "Do not tell me what to do. I'm capable of making my own decisions, and I decided that I was in no danger from Abercrombie. We had to find out what he knew about Daniel."
"I beg to differ about the danger. The man tried to have you arrested! Don't do anything like that again without me."
I marched off. I was in no mood to listen to him. Eddie had left me with frayed nerves and deep-rooted anger over my stupidity in thinking he'd loved me. Matt's domineering attitude only fueled that anger.
I pushed through the members of the congregation still lingering on the pavement, only to be stopped by a man blocking my path.
"Excuse me," I said.
He crowded closer and caught both my elbows, pinning them to my sides. I gasped and peered up, but most of his face was obscured by the hood of his cloak. He smelled of ale and sweat, and a curved white scar sliced through the stubble on his jaw. He was huge, taller than Matt and more solid.
I shivered. "Wh—what do you want?"
Chapter 9
"Let me go," I snapped, struggling.
My plea only made his fingers dig in more, cutting off the blood flow at my elbows. "Cease your search for Daniel Gibbons," he hissed, "or you and those you care about will come to harm."
He let me go and ran off. His long strides took him around the corner and out of sight in mere seconds. I folded my arms and gingerly touched my elbows where he'd held me. Bruises would form soon enough. I was lucky that bruises were all he'd given me. He could have done worse. If his threat was to be believed, he would do worse unless we ended our investigation. Despite willing it to settle, my thundering heartbeat reverberated through my entire body.
"India? What is it?" Matt followed my gaze down the street. "Did that man bother you?"
"He…he threatened me."
"What?"
"He told me to stop searching for Daniel or…or someone would be harmed."
"Willie, stay here with India. Duke, Cyclops, with me." He hadn't finished speaking before he sprinted off. Duke and Cyclops followed but couldn't catch him.
"What is he doing?" Miss Glass shook her head and clicked her tongue. "Running about like that is terribly vulgar. Everyone is watching."
"Did he hurt you?" Willie asked quietly so that Miss Glass couldn't hear.
I lowered my arms. They ached at the elbows, but I shook my head.
"Do you think he was sent by Abercrombie too?"
"I don't know," I said. "It's quite a coincidence, though. First Eddie and now him."
"Maybe Matt's right. Maybe we shouldn't have gone last night."
"You may think that, Willie, but I do not. We must do everything we can to find Daniel, even if we put ourselves at risk. He's just a lad."
She stared off into the distance where Matt, Cyclops and Duke had disappeared. "I'm not sure Matt will agree with you on that score. Make no mistake, India, he's as noble as can be when it's his own life at risk. But when those he cares about are threatened, he'll back away."
"The thing is, I believe the search for Daniel is linked to magic, and magic is what will save Matt's life. Finding Daniel may help us find Chronos. So I'm not giving up."
She swore under her breath. A moment later, she swore again. "All right. I agree with you about the link." She settled her feet a little apart. "And anyway, I don't back away from a fight. I ain't giving up either."
I looped my arm through hers. "In that case, we may be in for a battle to convince Matt to continue the investigation."
"I reckon between us we'll talk him round.
"
"Either he continues the search or we'll do so without him. It's his choice."
She snorted softly. "He won't see it as a choice. No matter what he says, India, stay strong. You hear me? We got to do this, for his sake."
The men returned a few short minutes later, looking hot and angry, their hats in their hands. Their expressions made it clear they hadn't caught the hooded man, so neither Willie nor I asked. We simply walked home with them silently. Well, as silently as Miss Glass would allow.
"Why did you tear off like that, Matthew?" she asked. "It was such a sight. Fortunately most people had left, but if someone had seen you exerting yourself, what would I have told them?"
"I thought I saw someone I knew," he said.
After a few minutes of tight silence, she said, "That was good of you to address her father."
"What?" Matt sounded distracted, distant.
"Haviland. You seemed to get along well with him. It was a clever move. Without him on our side, there's no point in courting his daughter."
Matt didn't bother to respond.
"I do wish you'd spent some time meeting other girls, however. Just in case you didn't like Oriel after all. There's nothing wrong with having a spare waiting in the wings."
"Aunt…" He expelled a long breath and peered up at the heavens. He didn't finish his sentence.
We arrived back at the house, and Miss Glass asked Bristow to bring tea into the drawing room. "We should expect visitors," she said, touching Matt's jaw. "Make yourself presentable then join me."
He inclined his head in a nod, although I wasn't quite sure if he'd even heard her. He still seemed distracted.
I went to follow Miss Glass into the drawing room, but he caught my arm in the same spot as the hooded man had held me. I sucked in air between my teeth and winced. His fingers sprang apart and he frowned.
"India?"
"It's nothing," I said, folding my arms again. I'd removed my jacket upon entry. The lace cuff of my dress's sleeves reached a little below my elbows and I wasn't sure if the bruises could be seen below them. I didn't want to look and alert Matt to them.
It didn't matter. He gently drew my arms away from my body and pushed the lace up before I had a chance to resist. A bruise darkened the inside of each of my elbows.
