Viridis - A Steampunk Romance (6 page)

The roads started to widen, and Phoebe knew they
would find a main thoroughfare soon. Her face was numb from the
cold, her shoulders tight and starting to cramp with the effort of
trying to keep warm. She dreaded to think of those who would spend
the night exposed to the elements with no place to take shelter. It
was why the Cause was so important and the reason there was
revolution in the air.

“Ye should be able to get yerself a coach just
ahead. It won’t be long now.”

“Thank you, Samuel. If you want to head back, I
should be fine.” She hated him having to be out in these
temperatures any longer than was necessary.

“Nonsense. ‘Tis not a problem, and Mrs. Farthing
would have my hide otherwise.” He gave Phoebe a crooked smile that
lit up his eyes. She was sure more than a few of the girls at the
shelter had already fallen for his charms.

He stepped toward the curb. “This should do. I’ll
just try and track ye down a ride. Shouldn’t be but a minute.”

“
Phoebe?
What are you doing here?”

She immediately recognized the voice, and quickly
steeled her resolve before turning to face him. “Seth.”

He closed the distance between them, grabbing her by
the arm as though to lead her away. As she struggled to free
herself from Seth’s grasp, Samuel rushed over to help her, looking
ready to plant a knife between Seth’s ribs. She placed a
restraining hand on his shoulder. “Samuel, it’s all right. He’s a
friend.”

“He may not wanna be grabbing ye like that, if
that’s the case.” Samuel stood his ground, despite the fact Seth
was twice as wide in the shoulders and had a generous six inches
height on him.

“I mean the lady no harm, lad.” Seth let go of her
arm. “I was just worried about her being out here on her own.”

“Well, she ain’t on her own, is she?” Samuel asked,
jutting out his chin.

“Samuel, I should be fine getting a coach here.
Thank you so much for escorting me, and please be sure to let Mrs.
Farthing know you delivered me safely.” Phoebe could see he didn’t
want to leave, but knew he had no choice, having just been
dismissed.

“Right, then. I’ll be on my way.” He took a few
steps back, throwing a final threatening glare at Seth before
turning to go.

Phoebe watched his retreating back as he ducked down
the alley— only to see his face peek out from around the corner to
make sure she came to no harm. But once Samuel had disappeared from
view, Seth grasped her elbow once again, moving her briskly down
the road.

“I’ll ask ye again, Phoebe. What the hell are ye
doing here, and after dark, no less? Are ye trying to get yerself
killed?” It was a sure sign he was upset when the Scots slipped
into his voice.

He picked up the pace as he interrogated her, and
she felt her temper rising exponentially with each passing second.
She tried to hold her ground and wrench free of his grasp, digging
her heels into the sidewalk, but it only resulted in her getting
yanked into his arms, as their struggles drew more than a few
glances from passersby.

She cursed the gods for making her so small.
Pounding on his shoulder to try and get herself free, she debated
how wise it had been to keep Samuel from knifing him. “If you don’t
let go of me, I swear I’ll scream.”

He whirled to face her, her arm still tight in his
grasp, his entire body shaking not only with anger, but worry.
“Damn it, Phoebe. Is this what ye’ve been getting up to while I was
gone? Trying to get yourself killed? Or worse? Ye’ve yet to tell me
what ye’re doing here.”

Though concern flooded his handsome face, darkening
his normally bright eyes, she could not get past his demanding
tone. For days, weeks, months, she had dreamed of him coming back
to her, and yet now that he was here, his possessiveness did
nothing but anger her. “I’ve yet to tell you because I don’t see
how that’s any of your business— not now and certainly not while
you were away. Let me remind you, I answer to no one but
myself.”

Phoebe watched his face fall under the impact of her
words, and had a pang of regret. He turned away from her without a
word and hailed them a coach to Viridis.

***

They rode in strained silence, Phoebe’s anger
warring with her heart and guilt. She wanted nothing more than to
have him pull her into his arms and reassure her that they would
find a way to make things work between them. Yet her pride kept her
sitting stubbornly stiff at his side.

They found Gabriel in the theatre, bantering with
customers while effortlessly running the front of the house. But
when Gabriel spotted Phoebe, his gregarious smile turned into a
frown of concern. “Phoebe, go home. You look exhausted, and I’m
managing here just fine.” Ignoring Phoebe’s protests, Gabriel
turned to Seth for help. “Seth, please talk some sense into her.
She’s the most stubborn woman I’ve ever come across.”

Seth took her hand in his, knowing she could not
pull away without alerting Gabriel that something was wrong between
them. She knew it was an attempt to smooth things over between
them. When he spoke, his voice was kind and soothing, further
melting her icy resolve.

“He’s right, my love. You were up early working on
the distillation and I doubt you’ve stopped to even eat. Why don’t
you give the poor lad the reins and I’ll take you out for a spot of
dinner, and then home for a good night’s rest.

The thought of a warm meal and rest had her going
weak in the knees. However, having Seth take her home meant they
would likely spend the night arguing or in each other’s arms.

One of the young girls that worked at Viridis
approached. “Pardon me, Mum. There’s a man here to see you. Says
he’s from the police. An inspector.”

Confusion danced across Phoebe’s face. “The police?
I cannot imagine why they would be here.” She looked to Gabriel in
question, but his look of shock and concern indicated this was a
surprise to him as well.

“He didn’t say, Mum.”

Phoebe forced a little smile. “No, of course not.
Could you please show him to my office, Molly, and have some tea
brought in?”

“I’ll just be a minute, Seth.” A weary sigh escaped
her lips, as she hoped that whatever the problem, it would be one
easily resolved.

Gabriel came around the bar. “You’re certainly not
meeting with him alone. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let some
copper interrogate you.” Phoebe opened her mouth to protest, but
her brother put his hand up to stop her. “Phoebe, love, this has
nothing to do with you not being able to take care of yourself, but
you’re too polite and kindhearted for a copper not to take
advantage, given half a chance. This place can run itself for a
bit. Seth, I want you there also, if you do not mind.”

“Of course.” Seth nodded his agreement.

“Well, I’m glad I have a say in all of this.” With
her annoyance made evident, Phoebe turned on her heel, but before
she could take a step, Seth grabbed her hand.

“Gabriel, could we have just a moment?” Though Seth
was addressing Gabriel, his eyes were locked on Phoebe.

A smile crept across Gabriel’s face in exact
opposition to the scowl on Phoebe’s. “Of course. I’ll wait in the
office.”

“What is it?” She couldn’t keep the strain from her
voice.

“Phoebe… I know I’ve made mistakes, aye? And I’ll
probably make many more. But I need you to know that I am trying,
my love. It caught me off guard to see you there in that
neighborhood, and my fear for your safety got the better of
me.”

The look of concern in his eyes finally weakened her
resolve, and she could not help but step into his arms. “I know you
meant no wrong, but I’m used to taking care of myself. It’s been
that way most of my life, so you’ll need to forgive me if I have
not quite adjusted to taking your concerns under consideration.”
She pulled away, managing a bit of a smile and nodded toward the
office. “Shall we, then?” She linked her arm in his
.

Her office, afforded her some quiet for conducting
business, though the area certainly did see its fair share of use
by club patrons. Even as they wandered down the wide corridor, they
observed a couple stopping to steal an amorous embrace before
slipping off towards one of the more private areas.

Her office was a large and comfortable room with a
sofa and a couple of chairs located near the fire and a desk by the
window. Small touches of elegant simplicity lent the room a
lived-in warmth, though it had none of the elaborate styling of the
public rooms.

They hadn’t even a chance to sit when a quick
knocked sounded at the door and Molly escorted a tall and lanky
individual into the room. “Mum, Inspector William Thomas.” Molly
stepped aside, allowing the gentleman to pass. “I’ll bring the
tea.”

“Thank you, Molly.”

Chapter Seven

William walked into the room, quickly taking in
those assembled before him. It was easy enough to spot Lady Phoebe
Hughes, as she was the only woman present. The man standing to her
right was likely her brother, as their coloring and the shape of
their eyes and mouth were too similar for there not to be a
relation. Then there was the gentleman that stood just behind her.
Though William doubted any relation, it was clear by his protective
and proprietary stance, they were close.

“Inspector Thomas; I’m Lady Phoebe Hughes, my
brother, Lord Gabriel Hughes, and my friend, Mr. Seth Elliott.
Please, have a seat, although I’m not quite sure how I may be of
help.” Phoebe gestured to a seat by the fire, an offer of
hospitality he did not see often in his line of work. He was
surprised by her kindness, yet even more taken aback by the quick
intelligence in her eyes. Lady Phoebe Hughes did not fit the image
of the bawdy club proprietress his mind had conjured
.

She was petite in both stature and frame, with
mahogany curls that fell against porcelain skin, and eyes of a most
striking green, her gaze gentle yet direct. There was something in
her gaze that told him she had a passionate and independent spirit
that would not easily be reined in.

Lady Hughes sat across from him on the sofa, with
Mr. Elliot by her side, her brother occupying the remaining chair
at William’s right.

He suddenly recalled the name of the man she’d
introduced. “Mr. Seth Elliot? The brilliant tinkerer?” William had
not expected to meet a man of such repute. Seth Elliot’s designs
had revolutionized the world, his geostat and airships only a few
of his accomplishments.

“Seth Elliott, the tinkerer, at any rate. I’m not so
sure about brilliant.” Seth reached out and shook his hand. “And an
inspector yourself at such a young age? Surely that’s an
accomplishment of no little feat.”

William nodded his thanks at the compliment. “I’ve
had luck on my side with several cases, and you are far too
humble.” Being the son of a clerk, letters and numbers had always
been important, but William’s father saw tinkering as a waste of
time and something better left to those who had it to spare. In
many ways, William had been lucky to receive any education at all.
Few children not of birth or money ever got the opportunity to be
schooled, but his father’s father had been a clergyman, and had
thus educated his children, his own father following suit.

He knew Mr. Elliot had also come from meager
beginnings. His father, an Englishman of modest wealth, had died
when he was a young lad, leaving his Scottish mother to take a
position as governess. As a youth, his time had been divided
between London and his mother’s clan in the Highlands. Beyond
Seth’s basic education, it was said he had devoured every book he
could gain access to, and already tinkering by the time he had
turned ten.

This was turning into quite the interesting evening,
and not one he could have ever imagined. William pulled a notebook
pencil from his pocket and then turned his attention back to Phoebe
and his investigation.

“I’m terribly sorry to have to bother you with this,
but I need to ask you some questions regarding one of your patrons.
I do believe he was one of your regular customers. Lord Niles
Hawthorne?”

A look of surprise crossed Lady Hughes’s face. “Lord
Hawthorne? Yes, of course, he comes here fairly often. If you’re
looking to find him, I can have one of the girls check to see if
he’s here tonight.”

Seth put a hand over hers. “Phoebe. I don’t believe
Inspector Thomas is looking for Lord Hawthorne.” His gaze turned to
William. “Am I correct?”

“I’m afraid so.” Despite his admiration for Mr.
Elliot, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was a detail he’d noticed
or information he already had. “Lord Hawthorne was found dead not
far from here, two nights ago. Do you by chance remember if he had
been here?”

Lady Hughes paled considerably at the news but her
composure did not waver. “He was a sweet and kind man. He’ll be
sorely missed, to be sure.” Phoebe took some time to think about
it, finally saying, “I’m sorry to say that I don’t remember when he
was last here. He could have very easily gone unnoticed if he sat
in the theater area. With so many customers, and the fact that I’m
here most nights, the faces and days tend to blur into one. I do
know I had seen him quite recently, but whether it was two, three
or even four days ago, I cannot be sure. I can have the supervisors
ask the girls— see if any of them remembers when he was last
here.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Gabriel fixed William
with his gaze. “He was indeed here two nights ago. I remember
serving him at the bar.”

A curious look of emotion crossed Gabriel’s face
momentarily, leaving William to wonder if he had imagined it. It
could have been just the shock of finding that an acquaintance had
been murdered, but perhaps there was more. “Was he a friend of
yours?”

“He was.” Gabriel cleared his throat and sat forward
a bit, his eyes flicking momentarily to his sister’s as she
returned a look of sympathy. “You get to know the customers who
come in on a regular basis.”