The Apothecary's Poison (Glass and Steele #3)(94)

"Nice to me! He lectures me and tells me what to do all the time. He gets on my nerves."

I smiled down at Matt's new watch, its inner workings laid out on the table before me.

She planted both feet on the floor and stood. "Wait here. I need to get Matt."

She left before I could stop her. I busied myself with the watch, returning parts to the housing while I waited, only to find it took longer than expected. My mind was not on the task this afternoon.

"Right," Willie announced upon re-entering. "Sit down, both of you. I've got something to say."

Matt stood by the hearth, his cool gaze on his cousin. He hadn't so much as looked my way.

"I went for a walk alone," Willie said. She hadn't sat either, preferring to pace. Her agitated state had me intrigued. I set down my tools. "I wanted to think," she went on. "And I've realized something. Something about you, India."

"Me?" I blinked at her. "You'd better go on."

"We made the mistake of assuming Dr. Hale was the only magical one in the business partnership with Mr. Pitt."

"We shouldn't have," Matt agreed. "So? What's that got to do with India?"

"What if she's the product of two magicians, not one?"

"By product, you mean child," I said.

"Grandchild. That journalist reckons your grandmother was the magician, but we know Chronos is."

"You're jumping to the conclusion that Chronos is my grandfather. I don't think he is. He hasn't sought me ought since he's been in London, and he didn't come to his own son's funeral." My voice trembled, catching me unawares. Why was I so emotional about a man I never knew?

Matt's hand touched my shoulder. His thumb brushed the underside of my jaw.

And then he withdrew it and sat on a chair. "Both your grandparents being magicians would explain why your magic is strong," he said.

"It's not that strong."

"It is. Mr. Gibbons thought so. I think so."

"There's no reason why two timepiece magicians couldn't have married," Willie said. "It's likely, when you think about it. Their families would have known each other. They both had an interest in watches and clocks." She brushed her hands together and headed to the door. "That's my work done for the day, then. I'm off to meet Cyclops and Duke at the Cross Keys for a drink. Care to join me, India? I can teach you some drinking games."

"Not today," I said.

I watched her go and almost wished Matt would go with her to avoid the inevitable awkwardness. He didn't get up, and I found I was grateful for his company. The sooner we worked through this phase and became comfortable with one another again, the better.

I closed the watch's case and handed it to Matt, only to regret giving it up. Now I had nothing to hold. I clasped my hands in my lap instead. "Matt," I began. "I want us to remain friends."

"As do I." If he was as nervous as me, he didn't show it. He looked as calm and assured as ever. It was grossly unfair.

"I want things to be the way they were between us," I said.

"They will be, India. I promise. Although it'll be harder with you living elsewhere."

"I'll be here every day that I'm required."

"Then you might as well stay. You'll be here more than you'll be at the cottage."

I smiled at him and he smiled back. It was a good start.

"Have you told my aunt yet?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I'm summoning the courage."

"Speak to her in my presence. I'll be an ally if you need it."

"You will?" I must have looked utterly stunned because he chuckled.

"India, I'll always be on your side, no matter what."

"Even when I want to do something you don't agree with?"

"You mean like move away and live elsewhere? Yes, even then. I'll grumble to myself in the quiet of my own room, but outwardly, I'll support you. It's the best I can do."

"It's enough, Matt. Thank you."

His smile turned wistful, sad. I blinked back tears and looked down at my linked hands.

"Matt!" Willie's screech filled the entire house, making it difficult to tell where it came from. "Matt, come quick!"

He sprang from the chair and sprinted out the door. I followed, but could not keep up.

"Willie!" he shouted back. "What's wrong?"

I did not hear her response. I caught up to them at the top of the stairs, looking down at the entrance hall below. Bristow stood by the front door, removing the coat and hat of the white haired visitor. The visitor seemed not to hear him. He stared up at us.

"Pierre DuPont," I said on a rush of breath. I recognized him from the brief moment I'd seen him at Worthey's factory before he'd run off.

"It's him," Willie said, grinning broadly. "It's him, Matt."

"Chronos," Matt whispered.

Thank God. We'd found him. We'd found the man who could repair Matt's watch. He was here and he could not run away with Cyclops standing behind him, blocking the exit.

Chronos did not look like he wanted to run off. His gaze swept over Matt, then he nodded in recognition. Matt returned it.