Free Boots for the Gentleman by Augusta Li & Eon de Beaumont

time,” Reg explained curtly, “but I understand they got too powerful. With some of the innovations in industry, in weaponry, ordinary people finally stood a chance against them, and they took it. It was either magic or machines in their minds, but not both.”
    “Either way,” Querry said, “the magic-users are gone from Anglica.”
    “That’s just it,” Reg said. “Thimbleroy is powerful enough to get around it. You don’t think he’ll find out that you were the one who beat him to that cellar? You don’t think he’ll find you, take the clockwork by force? He’ll likely have you killed!”
    “I can take care of it, Reg.”
    Clearly infuriated by Querry’s confidence, Reg strode over and took hold of his shoulders. He shook Querry twice and said, “You have to be careful! You don’t live among these people like I do. You don’t understand them. I can’t stand it if anything happens to you!”
    “Reg,” said Querry, softening and touching his friend’s burning cheek. “I understand them better than you think. And I’ll be careful. I’ve managed all these years. You don’t need to worry over me. But if you find out anything more, you must let me know. If we could understand what connects Lord Thimbleroy and the faeries and the clock tower and Frolic, we’d be better able to protect ourselves.”
    “You think the clock tower has something to do with this?” Reg asked, curiosity replacing his frustration.
    “I don’t know,” Querry admitted. “But it’s his other obsession, along with being rid of Neroche. But how could Frolic help him with either of those things? It doesn’t seem possible that Frolic could be what he’s after, now that I think about it. Maybe the thing he wanted from that house is already gone or was never there in the first place.”
    The three of them sat in silence as the birch’s lengthening shadow cast them further into darkness. The bells of the city’s many cathedrals marked the hour. Querry’s stomach growled, and he placed a hand over it and said, “Why don’t we all go for some supper?”
    “Speaking of the devil,” Reg said, “I’m to accompany Lady Butterwell to a ball at Lord Thimbleroy’s house tonight. He’s raising funds for his little repair project.”
    “Maybe you’ll find something out!” Querry cried, leaping up. Frolic, alarmed, also hurried to his feet. “Maybe you could get into his study, if you can sneak away from your lady friend!”
    With a snort, Reg said, “I assure you, the buffet table will distract Lady Butterwell just fine. And the petit fours and custards and puddings. I bet I could sneak away.”
    “Now I’ll tell you to be careful,” Querry said.
    “Not to worry. Thimbleroy thinks everyone of common birth is half-simple. I’ll have no trouble convincing him I’m only lost.”
    “Then we’ll meet tomorrow night?”
    “You’re putting yourself in danger coming here,” Reg said. “And Frolic too. I doubt Lord Thimbleroy knows what he’s looking for, but even so, Frolic is hard to miss. I’d better come to you.”
    Querry nodded, glad to see Reg concerned for Frolic. Try as he might, Reg’s nature prevented his turning a hard heart against an innocent in trouble. “There’s a pub called The Bell and Badger. It’s just a block past the tanning plant. There’s a badger on the sign with a hat just like yours.” He winked, and Reg’s eyes danced with mirth for a second. “Will you come around nine?”
    “I’ll have to tell the Whitneys that I’m not feeling well. Surely they’ve arranged another meeting for me. But I’ll be there.”
    Querry and Reg stood facing each other, with Frolic a few feet behind. Reg looked over his shoulder, as if about to slip something that didn’t belong to him beneath his cloak, then hugged Querry tightly around the waist. For a few seconds Querry was too shocked to respond, but then he let his arms close around Reg’s shoulders. It felt so good to hold him, to feel the