Viridis - A Steampunk Romance

by Calista Taylor

  Gabriel ignored Victor’s stammerings as he escorted him out of his office. Though he did truly believe Phoebe should be allowed to marry whom she wanted, the truth of the matter was he would be furious with her if she chose to marry Victor. He had never liked the man and he could not imagine a more mismatched pair. But there was more—Gabriel knew something of Victor’s various dealings around town, and worried that, at his core, Victor was a cruel and merciless man, though he’d always been careful enough to keep his true nature hidden from London society.

  The encounter with Victor left him feeling irritable, so Gabriel found one of the other bar keeps to cover the rest of his shift. He ran through the figures he had for the night thus far and then took his leave. He had not been able to shake Niles from his thoughts. With his mind racing, he took a coach to The Stag and Hound.

  Chances were good he’d find Moore holed up in there, and after dealing with Victor, Gabriel was in a foul enough mood to take him on. He wanted answers. If Niles was dead, then there was a good chance his involvement with the Cause had something to do with it. And if it involved the Cause then it involved Moore and Clarke.

  He paid the driver, taking the remaining distance on foot. A brisk wind carried with it the first flakes of snow, dizzily dancing in their fall. There would be several inches on the ground come morning, and one look at the sky told him it wouldn’t be letting up anytime soon.

  Each footfall echoed eerily as the sound seemed to bounce off the thick air itself. The roads were empty. Most had taken themselves indoors, either for sleep or drink, with the hopes of an escape from the relentless cold that had fallen upon the city these last few weeks. Gabriel wondered just how long it would last, cursing under his breath as he pulled the collar of his coat up around his ears.

  Just ahead, he could see the faint glow of light through the steamed and sooty windows of the tavern. He stepped in out of the cold, his skin prickling with burning warmth. It was late, well after midnight, but The Stag offered its patrons warmth and company they may not get at home, evident by the still healthy trade.

  “A pint and an eel pie, if you would.” Gabriel said, taking a seat and sliding his coin down the bar towards the publican, a gruff and hefty man who looked like he’d been serving ale all his life and wouldn’t stop until he’d taken his last breath.

  The ale was cold and bitter, quenching his thirst. Gabriel glanced around for Moore, but he was nowhere to be seen. Still, the man had a way of ferreting about unnoticed. It was almost certainly the reason Moore had managed to escape death’s icy grip and the hangman’s noose for this long a time.

  The publican slid the steaming pie in front of him, and Gabriel’s stomach rumbled in response. He’d been so busy at Viridis, he hadn’t had a chance to eat. The pies here were always delicious and remarkably fresh, and he felt some of his tension dissipating with each bite. He had nearly finished when he heard a familiar voice at his side.

  “What are ye doing here? Long way from home, aren’t ye, lad?”

  Gabriel turned to find the chair to his right occupied by none other than Cullen Moore. His dark hair was streaked with grey, his skin weathered and wrinkled with a long scar running along his jaw line, half hidden by stubble. Though he knew Moore to be no older than forty, the man had led a harsh life—really no different than that led by the tens of thousands of poor living in London.

  “Have you heard? Niles was found dead two nights ago.” Gabriel tried to judge Moore’s reaction to the news, but the man’s face stayed frozen in its gruff and weathered countenance.

  Moore gave his head a shake. “That’s a shame now, isn’t it? Makes one wonder what sort of trouble he’d managed to get himself in.” Getting the publican’s attention, he ordered himself a pint and pie, and then motioned to Gabriel’s empty pie plate. “The pies here are awful good, aren’t they?”

  “Damn it, Moore. What the hell happened? This is not what I signed on for and I guarantee you it wasn’t what Niles had in mind either.”

  Moore’s eyes danced in the dim light, as he absent-mindedly played with his fork “Now, how would I know what happened to his Lordship?”

  Gabriel’s temper flared. He’d be damned if he was going to get dragged into this mess any further than he already was. Things were hard enough without being suspected for murder. “There was an inspector sniffing around Viridis. Don’t be surprised if he starts digging around here, dredging up secrets you would rather keep buried.”

  With a shrug, Moore said, “I’ve nothing to hide, lad. He can dig all he wants.”

  Gabriel looked over his shoulder to make sure no one else was in earshot before turning back to Moore and lowering his voice. “Lilly’s also gone missing. I don’t suppose you know where she’s gone to?”

  “Nah, couldn’t say I do. But that girl’s a bit like your sister; too much independence and attitude to be entirely healthy. You’d be wise to talk to some sense into her Ladyship before she finds herself in an ugly situation and gets herself hurt.”

  At the mention of Phoebe and his perceived threat, Gabriel felt his temper boil, Moore’s shirt in his fist. “You leave Phoebe out of this, you hear? You even look at her the wrong way, and Lilly won’t be the only one gone missing.” Then before he completely lost control, he got up and walked out the door into the stinging cold.

  Chapter Ten

  It was late, the snow already falling as Phoebe climbed the steps to Seth’s home, his arm around her waist, should she fall. Her stomach clenched with eager anticipation, her mind having run through all the possibilities. Even Seth was looking excited, the smile on his face carrying all the way to his eyes.

  They sat in his office, his designs and papers covering nearly every horizontal and vertical surface, as she looked over the plans he had wanted to show her. She could feel his stare as she went through his work, taking in all the nuances of the tinkering he had drafted while in the Outlands. Though she wasn’t much of a tinkerer in the traditional sense, she was honored that he thought highly enough of her to show her his designs, trusting she’d be able to understand the important parts of the diagram.

  Her focus was complete as it all fell into place; his notes, his drawings and his calculations pulled together to form a complete image in her mind. He hovered just over her shoulder, his body thrumming in anticipation of her response.

  “Well? What do you—”

  “Shhh!” Phoebe put a hand up to quiet him, her brow furrowing at his interruption, though her eyes had yet to leave the papers he had pinned to his work-board.

  After double and triple checking the work before her and referencing the numerous calculations Seth had scrawled in the margins, she could scarcely believe what she was seeing. Seth’s intricate drawings detailed the inner workings of the most ambitious tinkering he had ever attempted. The main section consisted of a large sectioned dome made of metal panels riveted together, while a series of coils wrapped around the base and top. It then attached to a smaller nearly identical dome via a series of pipes and a single tunnel.

  She turned to face him, her eyes pinning him to the spot like a butterfly under glass. “Seth.” She took a deep breath, as it all sank in, her heart pounding a rapid drumbeat. “Is it really what I think it is?”

  He nodded in response, but Phoebe could see anticipation and doubt had every one of his muscles in knots. She reached out and took his hand, giving him the reassurance he needed.

  “If it works, I think it’ll be my greatest accomplishment. It’s a cellular multiplier of sorts, capable of making copies of any plant or vegetable using cellular building blocks. It’ll be a huge undertaking, but if it works, it would change everything. Would it not?”

  She was stunned. “It would. I still don’t quite understand the details of the molecular extraction and the cellular reformation, but it would be amazing if you could get it put together and running properly.” A smile slowly spread across her face, her excitement barely contained. “You could feed the hungry, Seth.” Lettin
g out a whoop of joy, she leapt towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him, as her feet dangled off the ground while he supported her weight.

  He let her slide back down to the floor, his arms still wrapped around her. “It may not work, Phoebe. It’s still in the early stages; just lines on paper.” She could feel his heart thundering away in their excitement.

  “If anyone can make it work, it’s you.” She cupped his face in her hand, overwhelmed by her feelings for him.

  “Phoebe, it means I could help the Cause— here in London.

  Phoebe froze, letting his words sink in, feeling both joy and dread wash over her. He meant what he said about staying in London. The designs before them were as much a promise to Phoebe as they were for the Cause. She lowered her head, avoiding his gaze, for she now knew she would need to tell him everything, though how she would manage to get the words out, she did not know.

  “Phoebe…”

  There were so many things she needed to tell him, so many things she was not sure she could. But the worry in his voice kept her from delaying any longer. “There are a few things you need to know. I don’t suppose we could go sit by the fire? Maybe have a drink? I’m feeling a bit chilled.”

  Phoebe could see he was worried, though he did not lead on. “Of course. The fire in the sitting room has been dampened for the night, but if you don’t mind, the fire in my sleeping quarters should still be lit.”

  She nodded her agreement, and let him steer her out of his workroom and up the stairs to his room. Phoebe sat down in the chaise by the fire. It had been such a long time since she’d last been to his home, yet the memories, of this room in particular, were ones she would never forget. Seth handed her a glass of brandy and took a seat by her side. “What is it, my love? Does this have to do with where ye were earlier this evening?” She could see him wrestle to keep his emotions hidden, his eyes filled with worry, and his accent slipping into its familiar lilt. “I know I’ve been gone a long time, and I have no claim on ye, aye? But I swear Phoebe, the thought of ye with another man…” Anger and jealousy tainted his voice.

  She reached out and took his hand in hers. “Soon after it became clear that Viridis would continue to do well and was financially stable, I took a large portion of the money and set up a shelter for those in need. Food, a warm place to sleep, medical care and an education. When you saw me earlier this evening, I was just returning from there. I had gone to make sure they weren’t in need of anything additional, fearing the cold spell might have depleted their resources.”

  Seth let out a deep breath, then leaned in and kissed her, his lips sweet and tender. “You’re an amazing woman, Phoebe.” He brushed a stray lock of hair from her eyes before continuing. “I was so worried you had found another, that last night had meant nothing.”

  Phoebe looked down at her hands, feeling a guilty flush rise to her cheeks.

  “What is it, my love?” Hurt clouded his eyes and his brow furrowed with worry. “Is that not all?”

  “I’m afraid not.” She drew in a large, shaky breath. “It’s Victor, the man I introduced you to your first night back.” She watched a wave of emotions— anger, jealousy, hurt— cross his face and forced herself to continue. “Nothing happened between us, Seth. I do not think I encouraged him in any way, but was shocked to find he had gone to Gabriel to ask for my hand in marriage. Gabriel told Victor the decision was mine to make, and I’ve tried to make it clear that I have no interest in marrying him, but he’s rather persistent. I’m sure he’ll not be happy of our relationship, and I worry about what he may do. He’s not a man used to being denied what he wants.”

  His fists clenched. “Are ye saying ye think he’ll hurt you? Cause if he even so much as breathes in your direction, I’ll kill him.”

  She cupped his face in her hand, feeling the roughness of the day’s growth of beard against her palm. It was comforting to know he was once again, just an arm’s length away. “No. I do not think he would wish me harm, however I do fear he’ll try and cause you problems. I would not have mentioned it otherwise. His proposal is not one of importance to me.”

  “Is there anything else, Phoebe? Anything at all that I should know of? I realize that I only just returned, but I need to know that you trust me— not only to stay in London, but enough to be honest with me.”

  There was. Yet she could not bring herself to tell him. It was a small matter, and though she felt it to be insignificant and inconsequential, mentioning it would cause an immense amount of problems. She pushed it out of her head before she could worry too much, and hoped she made the right decision. “There is nothing else. As for my trust, I know you are trying, but I still cannot say. My heart is aching to say yes, however the last year was difficult and still fresh in my mind. I want to be able to trust you, but I’m not sure I’m ready yet. You’ve only just returned and it is still too early for me to make such a decision.”

  He nodded, and she could see his disappointment though he tried his best to keep it from her. “You’ve already given me more than I deserve.” Standing, he turned to her and said, “I should get you home. It is late, and you’ve had a long day.”

  She felt her stomach sink at his words. The last thing she wanted was to go home to a deafeningly quiet house and sleep alone in a cold and empty bed, just as she had the last fifteen months. Not wanting to be alone, she said, “Seth, please.” She stood, her body pressed against his as she leaned towards him, looking up into eyes she could drown in. “Let me stay.”

  Her hand reached up around his neck as she kissed him, his lips sweet and just a little rough, tasting of brandy.

  “Phoebe.” She could hear hesitation in his voice

  “I don’t want to be alone. Not tonight.” She just wanted to sleep with his arms around her.

  “Come then.” As if understanding her every need, he removed only the binding and voluminous outer layers of her clothing, then laid her on his bed, curled her up against him, and sent her off to sleep wrapped in his embrace.

  ***

  Phoebe awoke in Seth’s house, in Seth’s bed and in Seth’s arms. She was furious with herself for once again giving in to her weaknesses, giving into the fear of being alone, instead of gathering her resolve and independence and going home.

  Despite the fact that Seth had done nothing but hold her in his arms, she still shouldn’t have spent the night, if for no other reason than to establish some boundaries and set a pace to their relationship. It felt too much like they were picking up where they had left off, his year’s absence erased in a kiss and warm embrace. She cursed herself in frustration, and while she was at it, cursed him too, for he was the only man she had never been able to resist.

  Needing some distance, Phoebe began gathering her clothing. “I should be going. I want to go to the shelter to see if they know of Lily’s whereabouts before heading to Viridis. I’m sure you have business that needs tending to, having only just got back.”

  “I have nothing that cannot wait. Let me escort you to the shelter, Phoebe. It’s a dangerous neighborhood even for those that live there and have nothing but the clothes on their back.” He came towards her, frowning and finishing the buttons on his shirt.

  “I’ll be fine. There’s no need for you to worry.” She waved away his concerns.

  He shook his head in frustration, looking at her in disbelief. “You cannot go alone, Phoebe. You’re being foolish.”

  She met his glare with her own. “If I choose to go, with or without you, it’s no one’s decision but my own. You’re not my father or husband, Seth Elliot, and even if you were, it would make no difference. I’ve been conducting business in that neighborhood for months, and I have no intentions of stopping. There are far too many women that have their every movement dictated by the men in their lives, and I refuse to add to their ranks.”

  “Do you think me just another ignorant man, too scared to admit women are just as capable as men? Is that what you really think?” Seth paced the room,
stopping in front of the fire. “Am I being so unreasonable to want to accompany you when there’s been a man murdered and a girl’s gone missing—all with connections to your club?”

  Finally, she said, with no heat or edge to her voice, “No, you’re not being unreasonable.”

  “Just promise me you’ll not go there alone. If you’re still going to look for Lilly, then at the very least have Gabriel accompany you.” Tucking his shirt into his pants, he said, “Get dressed, and I’ll call you a coach.”

  “Seth…” She went to his side and reached out to take his hand. But he took a step back, his body rigid, and she knew she’d pushed him too far.

  “What is it that you want, Phoebe?” he asked, his voice tired, exasperated. “Tell me, and I’ll do all in my power to make it right. I know I wronged you by leaving, and I understand you’re hurt, but if you cannot accept my apology and amends, than I’m afraid this cannot continue. I love you too much to have our love die a slow death at the hands of distrust and wariness. You once loved me, Phoebe. Do you still?”

  “Yes, I do.” The words were out of her mouth before she had given them any thought.

  “And do you trust me?” His eyes pinned her to the spot. Her world spun frantically as she searched her heart for the answer.

  He saw her uncertainty and it was answer enough. He turned to go.

  “Yes. I do trust you.” She reached for him again, and when he turned to face her, she saw that he didn’t believe her; he thought her answer was an act of desperation.

  “Do you really, my love?”

  Chapter Eleven

  William sat at the kitchen table in Genie’s House and watched as Mrs. Farthing bustled around the place, putting together a plate of bread and cheese for him, the tea already steeping. Finally, with a plate of food and a steaming cup placed before him, she settled into the seat across from him.