Free The Watchmaker's Daughter (Glass and Steele Book 1) by C.J. Archer

starve than eat my cooking. As to cleaning, no thanks." She snorted then wiped her nose with the back of her hand. I was beginning to wonder if she'd been raised by wild bears. "There you go." She jerked her head at a nearby door.
    I opened it but didn't go in. "That's not the privy."
    "It's my room. Or one of them. Matt gave me the lady's suite, as he called it, even though I said I didn't need this much space." She indicated I should go in ahead of her. "My needle and thread are in there, but I've thought of something better."
    I went in ahead of her. The room was a large sitting room with chaise longue positioned beneath a window, a table, two armchairs by the fireplace, tea table on wheels, a writing desk and empty glass display cabinet. The sage green and cream striped wallpaper matched that of the sofa, and it all matched the tiny green flowers on the curtains and cushions. It was far too feminine for the woman standing beside me. Perhaps that was why it looked like it wasn't used. It smelled like it too, all stale and close. No tobacco, though.
    Willie closed the door. "Come with me to my bedroom and undress." She indicated an adjoining door. "Go on, don't get all prim and missish now."
    I followed her to the bedroom door, but didn't go in. This room didn't smell unused. Indeed, the scent of lilacs was quite strong here. "I'm not being prim, I'm simply wondering what you have in store for me."
    Willie rummaged through a large trunk at the end of her bed and pulled out a brown cotton dress with a lace cream falling collar. She shook it out and held it up for me. "It's real ugly, but it'll fit you."
    We were of a size, true, and while the dress wasn't overly pretty, it wasn't ugly either. It had no embellishments whatsoever except for the large collar. It was certainly in a better state than my button-less gown. I would guess it had never been worn. "You're loaning it to me?" I asked her.
    "Keep it. I don't wear dresses, corsets and ladies' things. A girl can't run in them, or holster a gun on her hip."
    "True, but they're excellent if you want to trip someone over." She gave me a blank look. "Your feet can't be seen beneath these skirts." I gave her a demonstration.
    "I'd rather run or fight."
    I sighed. "Sometimes, so would I."
    I took the gown and she left me alone to change out of my dress and into hers. It fitted well, although was a little short. My ankles were visible. My mother would have made me change out of it if she'd been there, but she was long dead. Besides, beggars couldn't be choosers.
    I was checking over my gown to see if any damage had been done to the fabric when Willie walked back in without knocking first. "Christ, it's just a dress. What's taking so long?"
    "I'm finished."
    Willie scanned me head to toe. "It's still an ugly dress, but it looks better on you than me."
    "Er, thank you. I think."
    "Leave your outfit in my sitting room and collect it later. I suppose I should be offering you refreshments seeing as you're a guest and all."
    "Thank you! A cup of tea would be lovely." I was parched after my exertions, and now that I once more felt suitably attired, I was ready to face the household over a cup of tea.
    I only hoped Mr. Glass didn't rest for long. I liked his company, and felt more at ease in his presence. His servants—or whatever they were—made my nerves jump.
    Willie led the way back down to the drawing room then disappeared after ordering me to "Wait here." She managed to infuse the words with steel, so that I didn't dare move. She clearly didn't trust me.
    And I didn't trust her. Or any of them.
    But I would bide my time, for now, and continue investigating later. It wouldn't be wise to get caught outside the drawing room again.
    I strolled around the room, which was as pretty as Willie's rooms, although done in blue and gold colors. It too had a stale smell to it, however, that had me wanting to open the windows. After a few minutes of idly inspecting the knick knacks up close, I