Free Viridis - A Steampunk Romance by Calista Taylor

fell into place;
his notes, his drawings and his calculations pulled together to
form a complete image in her mind. He hovered just over her
shoulder, his body thrumming in anticipation of her response.
    “Well? What do you—”
    “Shhh!” Phoebe put a hand up to quiet him, her brow
furrowing at his interruption, though her eyes had yet to leave the
papers he had pinned to his work-board.
    After double and triple checking the work before her
and referencing the numerous calculations Seth had scrawled in the
margins, she could scarcely believe what she was seeing. Seth’s
intricate drawings detailed the inner workings of the most
ambitious tinkering he had ever attempted. The main section
consisted of a large sectioned dome made of metal panels riveted
together, while a series of coils wrapped around the base and top.
It then attached to a smaller nearly identical dome via a series of
pipes and a single tunnel.
    She turned to face him, her eyes pinning him to the
spot like a butterfly under glass. “Seth.” She took a deep breath,
as it all sank in, her heart pounding a rapid drumbeat. “Is it
really what I think it is?”
    He nodded in response, but Phoebe could see
anticipation and doubt had every one of his muscles in knots. She
reached out and took his hand, giving him the reassurance he
needed.
    “If it works, I think it’ll be my greatest
accomplishment. It’s a cellular multiplier of sorts, capable of
making copies of any plant or vegetable using cellular building
blocks. It’ll be a huge undertaking, but if it works, it would
change everything. Would it not?”
    She was stunned. “It would. I still don’t quite
understand the details of the molecular extraction and the cellular
reformation, but it would be amazing if you could get it put
together and running properly.” A smile slowly spread across her
face, her excitement barely contained. “You could feed the hungry,
Seth.” Letting out a whoop of joy, she leapt towards him, wrapping
her arms around his neck, kissing him, as her feet dangled off the
ground while he supported her weight.
    He let her slide back down to the floor, his arms
still wrapped around her. “It may not work, Phoebe. It’s still in
the early stages; just lines on paper.” She could feel his heart
thundering away in their excitement.
    “If anyone can make it work, it’s you.” She cupped
his face in her hand, overwhelmed by her feelings for him.
    “Phoebe, it means I could help the Cause— here in
London.
    Phoebe froze, letting his words sink in, feeling
both joy and dread wash over her. He meant what he said about
staying in London. The designs before them were as much a promise
to Phoebe as they were for the Cause. She lowered her head,
avoiding his gaze, for she now knew she would need to tell him
everything, though how she would manage to get the words out, she
did not know.
    “Phoebe…”
    There were so many things she needed to tell him, so
many things she was not sure she could. But the worry in his voice
kept her from delaying any longer. “There are a few things you need
to know. I don’t suppose we could go sit by the fire? Maybe have a
drink? I’m feeling a bit chilled.”
    Phoebe could see he was worried, though he did not
lead on. “Of course. The fire in the sitting room has been dampened
for the night, but if you don’t mind, the fire in my sleeping
quarters should still be lit.”
    She nodded her agreement, and let him steer her out
of his workroom and up the stairs to his room. Phoebe sat down in
the chaise by the fire. It had been such a long time since she’d
last been to his home, yet the memories, of this room in
particular, were ones she would never forget. Seth handed her a
glass of brandy and took a seat by her side. “What is it, my love?
Does this have to do with where ye were earlier this evening?” She
could see him wrestle to keep his emotions hidden, his eyes filled
with worry, and his accent slipping into its familiar lilt. “I