Free A Clockwork Heart by Liesel Schwarz Page A

the need to run away at every opportunity that presents itself? Is this what marriage has done to you? Tell me, Eleanor, I need to know,” he said.
    She shook her head. “Please understand,” she whispered.
    â€œNo, my dear, I think you are the one who needs to understand. There is a vast difference in our ages. I have lived more than one lifetime because time for me moved at a pace that ordinary folk would not be able to comprehend. I accept that. I have made allowances for that. But you need to meet me halfway. I cannot maintain this marriage on my own.”
    She looked away, hands folded in her lap.
    â€œYou need to decide where your priorities lie, Elle. Are you with me, or are we to be like all those other couples who live in separate worlds?” Marsh stood from the table and walked over to the door of the conservatory.
    She did not answer him.
    He stared at the plants, as if to draw strength from them before he spoke. “I must be clear on this. I am not happy about the way you acquired your new ship and I will not have my family’s name associated with gamblers and cheats. A woman’s place is beside her husband, wherever that may be. It is her duty and she must comply with that duty over and above all the passions that may drive her.”
    â€œBut, Hugh, it doesn’t have to be that way. Why must I stop being my own person before I can be your wife?” she said.
    He stared at her for a long time before speaking. “I cannot make that decision for you, Elle. And if you cannot find it within yourself to accept things as they are, then you and I are heading for some serious difficulties in the years that are to come.”
    She swallowed. “Are you asking me to give up flying?”
    â€œDon’t oversimplify this. You know perfectly well that I am not asking you to do that,” he said.
    â€œWhat will you have me do then?” she said.
    The silence ticked along between them as they stared at one another from opposite sides of the breakfast room.
    â€œI–I think I need some time to think,” she said.
    â€œI agree. So do I.”
    He watched her, waiting for her to choose.
    Elle felt her throat constrict. So it would boil down to a choice between being happy or dutiful. Suddenly she felt overwhelmingly sad.
    â€œThen I shall go to Singapore and fulfill the charter,” she said slowly.
    She saw him stiffen slightly, but he stood very still, eyes trained on the lace-fine heads of angelica plants before him.
    â€œYou are welcome to join me,” she said again.
    â€œNo.” His answer was so final that it left no room for compromise. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some correspondence to attend to,” he said.
    She swallowed down the lump in her throat that was about to cut off her air.
    â€œWill you be here when I get back?” she said.
    He frowned. “Of course I will. I am your husband. I will always be here for you.” Then he picked up his newspaper and walked from the room.

    Fairies have long memories. We are a people slow to forget when we are wronged, but we are not without compassion.
    The girl sat down at the table and covered her face with her hands. She sat like that for a very long time, not moving.
    I fluttered down from my hiding place to sit next to her. I could not help her with this problem, but I could show solidarity. And so I did.
    â€œI’m sorry I yelled at you for making a mess,” she said to me.
    I nodded.
    â€œI’m making a right mess of things myself, aren’t I?” she said.
    I nodded again. There was little I could say to deny it.
    â€œWill you stay here and look after him while I’m gone?”
    Then, in a gesture that surprised even me, I rose and embraced her.
    When we embraced, the fizz of my small absinthe magic met with the roar of the force that was the Oracle. She did not realize this, but I was but a mere trifle compared to her shining light. But in a tiny