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

couldn't stand it any longer. I unlatched one of the window sashes and opened it.
    I breathed deeply and watched the glossy black coaches rumble past with distinguished looking gentlemen inside. Elegant ladies dressed in fine gowns walked with parasols in hand to protect themselves from the spring sunshine, and nannies pushed perambulators along the pavement. Nobody hurried. No shopkeepers shouted about how wonderful their wares were, and delivery carts didn't jostle one another for space. It was quite lovely here in Mayfair.
    A coach pulled up out the front of number sixteen and Duke hopped down off the coachman's seat where he'd been sitting next to Cyclops. Cyclops spotted me and waved, but Duke, following his gaze, frowned.
    "What'd you open the window for?" he called out.
    "Fresh air," I called back.
    "You call this air fresh?" He looked skyward and screwed up his nose. "You English are mad."
    I heard the front door open before he'd even reached it. I leaned out the window to see who'd opened it for Duke, but couldn't quite see.
    "Better?" Duke asked.
    "Stop fussing," came Mr. Glass's response. "And keep quiet around Miss Steele."
    I couldn't hear if Duke warned him that I was standing at the open window or not. The door closed and a moment later, they both strolled into the drawing room. Mr. Glass looked much refreshed. His eyes were bright and his skin had returned to its normal color, not pale or lit up by veins of purple light. He smiled at me. I smiled back, wondering if Duke was supposed to be quiet about the strange watch or something else.
    "I see you've changed, Miss Steele," Mr. Glass said. "You must have met my cousin."
    I felt the heat in my cheeks rise again at his reference to my attire, even though he didn't mention the reason behind the need to change. Yet I was glad, too, that he'd acknowledged my change of clothing without dwelling on the matter. Indeed, he'd managed to seamlessly change the subject. It was a smooth transition, and I wondered if it had been designed that way to alleviate my embarrassment over our earlier encounter.
    " Willie is your cousin?" I asked.
    "On my mother's side."
    "She didn't tell me that. Indeed, she didn't tell me much at all. I thought she was a servant."
    Mr. Glass looked pained. "Did she threaten you?"
    "In a way. But then she gave me this dress so I suspect everything is fine between us now."
    "Wouldn't wager the ranch on that, Miss Steele," Duke said. "She hates dresses. Way she'd see it, you're doing her a favor."
    "Then perhaps we can be friends since friends do one another favors."
    Duke burst out laughing. "She ain't never had a friend. All the girls are scared of her back home, and most of the men, too."
    Mr. Glass nodded. "It's true. She terrifies even me when she flies into a temper. But don't worry, she's rarely home. It's unlikely you'll see much of her while you're staying with us."
    "Speak of the devil," said Duke, as Willie walked in carrying a tray laden with teapot, cups and slices of cake. "And look at that! She's gone all womanly on us, too, and made tea. Must be the influence of having a real lady in the house."
    "You're lucky I'm holding this tray, Duke, or I'd clock you for that." Willie set the tray down with a loud clunk that rattled the delicate china.
    Duke chuckled. "I got a room to make up and lunch to prepare. Come and help me, Willie."
    "Do it yourself. I ain't the maid."
    "Do I look like I'm wearing an apron?"
    "Duke," Mr. Glass snapped. "Enough. Willie…do whatever you want. As usual."
    Duke left, chuckling, and Willie served the tea. The small smile on her lips suddenly faded and she straightened, even though she hadn't finished filling the second cup. Tea spilled onto the saucer from the spout.
    "What does he mean, prepare a room?" she asked.
    "Miss Steele is without lodgings at present," Mr. Glass said. "I offered her a room here until our business is concluded and we leave London."
    She glared at him then turned that glare onto me. "Did