The Watchmaker's Daughter (Glass and Steele #1)(66)

Abercrombie merely spread out his hands, as if to say, "So?"

Eddie shifted in his chair and leaned forward. His face brightened. He turned to Abercrombie for a moment, then to me. "Indeed, it's Mr. Glass's reputation as the Dark Rider that has us all wary of you, India." He looked to his fellow members, one pale eyebrow lifted in a hopeful tilt. Abercrombie urged him with a small nod. "We told you earlier that it's not you who worries us, India. That's because it's Mr. Glass."

I didn't quite believe him. Why not mention this before? Yet it was logical. Too logical. I couldn't fault it.

Eddie once again looked to Abercrombie. The master of the guild ignored him. "If you have any sense, Miss Steele," Abercromie said, "you would notify the police and have him arrested. We would do it, but it might be seen as vengeful after his recent threats toward me. If you were to speak to them about your suspicions, however, I'm sure you'll be taken seriously."

He gave me a flat smile that several of the other members echoed, including Eddie. The smiles were false, but that didn't lessen the impact of Abercrombie's words.

Because I knew he was right. Mr. Glass must be the Dark Rider.



I didn't see Mr. Glass until the following morning. He must have come home extremely late, and it showed in the deep bruising beneath his eyes, the paleness of his cheeks, and his tardiness in joining us for breakfast. He'd shaved, but not well, missing some of the dark stubble near his ears and the underside of his jaw. He hadn't bothered to put on a tie or waistcoat. Clearly his special watch wasn't enough, and he required more sleep to help battle his mysterious illness.

"Eat quickly, Matthew," Miss Glass said with a smile for her nephew. "We don't have much time."

"For what?" he asked, carrying his plate and cup to the table. He gave me a small smile, which I tried to return without letting on that my thoughts were in turmoil. I'd tossed in bed half the night thinking about all the awful things the Dark Rider had done and whether I ought to pass on my suspicions to the police.

"For church, of course," Miss Glass said. She had joined us for breakfast today, whereas she usually ate alone in her room. She seemed particularly spritely and alert. Perhaps she enjoyed church—or simply getting out of the house. I ought to walk with her later, if Mr. Glass didn't need me.

"Church? It's Sunday already?" Mr. Glass pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut.

"You will go, won't you, Matthew?"

"No, he won't," Willie said. "He doesn't have the time."

"I beg your pardon, young lady." Miss Glass's lips pursed so tight they went white. "Are you a heathen?"

"I'm as godly as you, and I pray as regular as anyone. I'll go, but Matt's too busy."

"Nobody is too busy to worship."

"Enough," Mr. Glass said on a long sigh. "Do you wish to attend church this morning, Miss Steele?"

"Me?"

"I need you to continue our search today, but if you prefer to attend the service…"

Mr. Dorchester had hinted that he might attend church to see me, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to see him. Miss Glass may have been correct and he may be interested in being more than a friend. I wasn't prepared to take that path. "Yet," a little voice in my head said.

"Most watchmakers will be in church too, so I don't think we'll have much luck if we pay calls this morning."

Willie clicked her tongue and huffed out a breath. "We're running out of time," she muttered to the fried eggs on her plate.

Mr. Glass folded his hand over hers. "It'll be an hour and a half, at the most. And Miss Steele is correct. No one will be home this morning."

"I have news," I said. "I went to the Watchmakers' Guild meeting last night and—"

"You did what?" Mr. Glass's bellow made his aunt jump, and every one else look at him warily. "Why did you go without me?"

"You weren't here. I had planned—"

"Then you should not have gone at all. Going alone was dangerous, considering what Abercrombie tried to do."

I swallowed. "I was aware of that, but after due consideration, I decided he was no longer going to follow up on his accusation. Thanks to whatever it was you said—or did—to him."

He grunted. "Nevertheless, it was a risk you shouldn't have taken."

"It was a risk that paid off. I learned that the members in attendance don't know of any watchmakers who traveled overseas five years ago. That's twenty we no longer need to visit. I recognized them all and wrote their names down as soon as I returned home."

"Damn good work, India," Willie said, with more admiration in her voice than I'd ever heard when she addressed me.

Both Duke and Cyclops praised me too. Miss Glass seemed to have fallen into one of her dazes, and Mr. Glass continued to scowl at me but a little more softly.

"Not only that," I went on, "but Mr. Abercrombie informed me that he knows Mirth and believes he's not the man you seek."

"How so?"

"Mirth traveled to Prussia, not America, in search of his wayward daughter. He returned a broken man without her and had no interest in his shop anymore."