The Watchmaker's Daughter (Glass and Steele #1)(23)

"Yes," I said quietly. "Well away."

"We'll stop by the Masons' and retrieve your belongings while we're out."

"And mention the trouble Mr. Abercrombie is trying to stir up. I couldn't bear it if they heard the rumors from another source first, or if Mr. Abercrombie approached them looking for me."

"He won't pursue the matter." He folded the map and returned it to his pocket.

"You can't be sure of that."

He gave me a crooked smile that was full of mischief and mystery. "Yes, I can."



The afternoon's visits brought us no closer to finding Mr. Glass's watchmaker. Fortunately, I was neither attacked nor snubbed, although that could have been because I remained in the carriage most of the time. I only got out at Mr. Healy's shop, to stretch my legs and see how he fared. He'd been a good friend to Father and kind to me on the day of the funeral. I wanted him to know that I was well. I was relieved when he greeted me with a smile.

We stopped at the Masons' home in the late afternoon, and Mrs. Mason welcomed us with a cup of tea and slices of walnut cake. "Gareth, take this to your Papa and brother in the shop," she said, handing her son a tray laden with teapot and cake.

Gareth disappeared and a few minutes later, Mr. Mason returned alone, carrying his teacup. He greeted us with strained smiles and shook Mr. Glass's hand.

"Any success?" he asked.

"Not yet," Mr. Glass said. I was glad to see that he wasn't overset with tiredness this afternoon. He looked quite well. "But Miss Steele assures me we've only scratched the surface. I had no idea London was so large."

"It's Europe's grandest city," Mr. Mason said with a puff of his chest.

"Aside from Paris," Catherine said dreamily. "I do so wish to see Paris one day, don't you, India?"

"I've never thought about it before," I said. "I suppose so, but I doubt I'll ever leave London. I only speak English, for one thing, nor do I know anyone outside this city."

Catherine huffed out a small breath. "You're so conventional all the time."

I blinked at her. By conventional, I suspected she meant dull. Was that how she saw me? As a prim spinster with no dreams, no ambitions or hopes? Was that how everyone saw me?

"Paris is indeed a beautiful city." Mr. Glass's rich, deep voice broke into my self-centered thoughts.

"You've been there?" Catherine leaned forward, her teacup pausing on its way to her lips.

"I lived there, many years ago."

"How thrilling."

"That's enough, Catherine," Mr. Mason chided. "Mr. Glass has more important things to discuss than your flights of fancy. Paris is not for the likes of you."

Catherine slouched back against her chair with a pout. I gave her a sympathetic smile, but she looked away.

The conversation stalled, so I decided to get to the point of our visit. "Mr. Glass has offered me lodgings in his house," I told the Masons. "I've come to collect my things."

Catherine's jaw dropped but she quickly recovered. "Marvelous! Come upstairs and we'll fetch them together."

Mrs. Mason tsk tsked. "I'm sure the arrangement is all very respectable," she said, "but I feel I must protest. What will people think?"

"India knows what she's doing," Mr. Mason said quickly. "Don't fret, my dear."

His wife glared at him. He sipped his tea.

"They won't think anything, because nobody I know will find out," I said hotly. "Even if they do, does it matter? My future is already ruined. Eddie saw to that. A little scandal won't taint me further."

Mrs. Mason humphed and bustled about, collecting teacups and plates, her cheeks pink. No doubt she was contemplating all sorts of lurid scenarios involving Mr. Glass and myself. They were probably similar to the ones I'd contemplated myself, particularly after the corset incident. Sometimes my skin still felt as if it bore the impressions of his hands.

"I understand your concerns," Mr. Glass said. "And I'm glad Miss Steele has good friends in you both. But rest assured, my cousin, Miss Willemina Johnson, is staying with me and will act as chaperone. She's a respectable, responsible woman of high moral character and will insure that Miss Steele is treated with courtesy at all times. Miss Steele, would you say my description of Willie is accurate, based on your first impressions?"

They all looked to me. Fortunately my cheeks no longer felt hot, but I had a devil of a time keeping a straight face. Willie probably would have fallen over with laughter herself if she'd heard her cousin's description. "She's all that and more," I assured the Masons. "She's very sweet and kind."

Mr. Glass smiled at me. Hopefully I was the only one who noticed the wicked gleam in his eyes.

"I intend to look for more permanent lodgings and employment in the coming days," I said. "I don't want to burden your good selves any further."

"You're no burden, India," Catherine said, touching my knee.

"Not at all," Mrs. Mason said, after an awkward moment. Her husband sipped his tea.

"That's settled then," Catherine said, standing. "Come, India, let's get your things."

Up in her room, she helped me pack while I told her that the hem of my dress had come down so Willie had loaned me one of hers until I could repair it later. She hardly seemed to be listening.