The Watchmaker's Daughter (Glass and Steele #1)(34)

"I don't know the answer to that, but I do know that I'm being followed."

So that was why he constantly looked out the coach window this morning.

"When?" Duke sounded worried.

Mr. Glass dismissed his question with a shake of his head. Duke's lips flattened, and I thought he'd argue but Miss Glass started talking again.

"Richard heard that Harry's house was occupied," she said, indicating the room we sat in. So the house had belonged to Mr. Glass's father, not the Rycroft estate. That explained why Mr. Matthew Glass had inherited it. "I don't know who alerted him. Perhaps one of the neighbors."

"Most likely. I've seen them watching me, but none have greeted us."

"I overheard Richard telling Beatrice that someone was occupying the house. He didn't inform me directly."

"Beatrice?"

"His wife."

Mr. Glass nodded slowly. "Was my name mentioned?"

"No, just that the house was occupied and he would look into it."

"He hasn't been here," Mr. Glass said. "Nobody from the family has, until you."

"It was only this morning that I overheard Richard and Beatrice discussing it. I came as soon as I could get away. I couldn't bear the thought of squatters in my Harry's house."

"Good of you to be concerned." I couldn't be sure from his tone if he was being sincere or not.

"I was very concerned. I doubted Richard would lift a finger to check. As soon as I escaped, I came here."

We all leaned forward, brows raised. "Escaped?" Mr. Glass said. "From Uncle Richard?"

"No, from Beatrice. I asked her to take me shopping. I'm not allowed out on my own, you see."

"Why not?"

"I buy things, then Richard gets angry that I've spent too much money, even though it's my money to spend. I have an allowance. Oh, and I talk to people." She grinned, as if it were the naughtiest thing to do and she only did it to annoy her brother.

"You're not allowed to talk to people?" I asked, when Mr. Glass said nothing. He looked contemplative.

"Richard only allows me to receive callers in his presence or Beatrice's. He doesn't want me telling them what a cruel man he is to me. Appearances are important to him. More important than me."

"Aunt Letitia, he can't possibly be as bad as that," Mr. Glass said.

"Are you calling me a liar?"

He sucked in a sharp breath. "Not at all. I know my father didn't get along with his father, and Richard usually took their father's side, but—"

"Usually?" She sniffed. "It was every time. Richard knew what side his bread was buttered on. No spine, that's always been his problem. Harry, however, had more bottle than anyone I've ever met. That was his problem, you see." The anger and vigor drained out of her as she spoke, and the wistful gaze returned to her eyes. I half expected her to mention white knights and dragons again. "Harry was selfless and brave, with a kind heart. He told our father when he was being unfair to our farmers and staff, and Father hated him for it. He hated him for being generous, hated him for being better at everything, and hated him for speaking out. He and Richard despised Harry for being himself."

I watched Mr. Glass from beneath my lashes. He went utterly still and didn't speak a word. After a moment, he swallowed heavily and blinked rapidly. I wasn't quite sure if it was a show of emotion or not.

"Does he beat you?" Duke asked Miss Glass.

We all looked at him.

"Does your brother beat you, ma'am?" He stated it matter-of-factly, as if one asked strangers that sort of thing all the time.

Distaste rippled across Miss Glass's features. "Who're you to ask me such a question?"

"I'm Matt's friend."

"I thought you were the butler."

Duke narrowed his eyes at Mr. Glass. "I need a drink. Want one?"

Mr. Glass waved him off, and Duke left the drawing room. A rather awkward silence followed his departure. I waited for aunt and nephew to fall into a discussion about family members, and catch up on old times, but they did not. It would seem they needed some assistance to get to know one another.

"Why did your brother, Harry, leave England, Miss Glass?" I asked.

Her eyes misted again, and I regretted bringing it up, but I was wildly curious. I knew I shouldn't be. The family was none of my affair. Yet I waited impatiently for her answer.

Unfortunately, she suddenly stiffened. Her gaze sharpened and cleared. "Who are you, Miss Steele? Why are you here?"

"I'm also a friend of your nephew's," I said.

He did not counter me but amusement touched the corners of his mouth. He watched me openly, challenging me to pile more lies onto the heap. No doubt he would remind me of them later then watch me try to dig my way out.

"More acquaintances, really." I didn't want to tell her I worked for him. It would immediately lessen my status in her eyes, and she might cease talking in front of me, the hired help.

"Acquaintance?" She nodded slowly, eyeing me again, and this time I felt certain she was assessing every piece of my clothing, right down to the cotton thread. "So I see. A mistress would be better attired and wear jewelry. No Glass would be so stingy as to dress his woman in gray cotton. So what is the nature of your acquaintance with my nephew?"