The Apothecary's Poison (Glass and Steele #3)(47)

"You are very distinctive."

"It's the accent."

"No, Matt, it's not."

He frowned. "What is it then?"

I was considering whether to tell him he was too handsome to be so easily forgotten when Bristow announced another visitor, my friend, Catherine Mason.

"What a lovely surprise," I said, kissing her cheek. "Bristow, please bring a fresh pot of tea. And some cake."

Catherine smiled shyly at Matt as he greeted her. The last time she'd visited me, he'd been absent, as had the others. We exchanged small talk until the tea and cake arrived, by which time I realized she had something to tell me. Perhaps Matt's presence held her back.

"Catherine, is something wrong?" I prompted. "Is it your Mr. Wilcox problem?"

"Good lord, no," she said. "I spoke to Mr. Wilcox about our unsuitability, and I haven't seen him since. I think I may have hurt his feelings a little."

"Better hurt them a little now rather than a lot later."

"You're so wise, India."

"She is indeed," Matt said, setting down his teacup. "Perhaps I should leave you two ladies to talk alone."

"Please stay." Catherine put down her cup too. "It might be best if you hear this as well."

She had me intrigued now. "What is it, Catherine? What's happened?"

"Mr. Abercrombie continues to visit my father regularly. More than ever, in fact. I try to listen in whenever I can."

"Please be careful, Catherine," I said. "Don't let them catch you."

She frowned. "That's the odd thing. Your name comes up in what is sometimes a heated discussion and you tell me to be careful." She settled her very blue, very piercing gaze on me. She'd never looked at me so fiercely before. It was unnerving. "I think it's time you tell me what's going on."

I glanced at Matt. He gave his head a slight shake.

"Stop treating me like a child," Catherine snapped. "You're my friend, India, and I know you're in trouble. I want to help you, but I can't if I am kept in the dark."

She was right. She might be silly on occasion but she had a good heart and had matured in recent months. "It's a lot to comprehend," I began. "And you might not believe me at first."

"India," Matt warned.

"We can trust her, Matt. What does it matter, anyway? The entire guild seems to know. She's bound to find out sooner or later, and I'd rather she learned it from me first."

He rubbed his forehead and nodded. "I suppose you're right."

"Catherine, do you believe in magic?"

She stared at me, her mouth ajar. "Is this a joke?"

"I'm very serious. Magic exists, although it's rare. Magicians specialize in certain creative fields and can infuse their magic into their creations using spells. We recently met an ink magician who can make ink float off one page onto another. We've also met map magicians who can create the most elaborate yet accurate maps, and a gold magician who had forgotten the art of multiplying gold but could feel ancient magic in golden objects."

She spluttered a laugh but it died on her lips. "And you're telling me you're a magician?"

I nodded. "Of timepieces. That's why I'm so good at fixing watches and clocks."

"You're good because your father taught you well. You understand even the most complicated mechanisms because you're clever, not because of…magic."

"I don't know any spells," I went on. "My father kept my ability a secret from me, and I was led to believe that I was clever, as you suggest. But that doesn't explain it all. I have a strong affinity with timepieces. I can fix most and make them incredibly accurate." I didn't tell her how my watch had saved my life, or how time magic and medical magic were combined in Matt's watch. She wasn't ready to hear that.

"India! This is…" She shook her head over and over, but at least she was no longer laughing off my explanation.

"It's shocking, I know," I said. "You'll need time to think it through."

She took several seconds to consider my claim and did not so much as laugh or call me a fool.

"Let's say you're not talking utter nonsense," she said carefully. "What does it have to do with Abercrombie and the guild? Why does he dislike you? If you're a magician then shouldn't he be celebrating your achievements? You ought to be guild master."

"He and the guild members are frightened. They're not magicians, and they're worried that if magicians are allowed to own shops, customers will flock to them for their fine pieces. It's not just the Watchmaker's Guild that's afraid, but the other guilds too. There seems to be a loose agreement between all the guilds to bar magicians to protect their businesses. That's why I wasn't accepted into the Watchmaker's Guild and granted a license. No license, no shop."

"I thought it was because you were a woman." She sounded numb, but at least she wasn't denying it altogether.

"Has Abercrombie been telling your father to keep you away from me?" I asked.

"Actually no, not anymore. My father has urged me not to visit you, but Abercrombie has recently changed his tune. He now wants me to come here, but to spy on you."