The Armored Doctor (Curiosity Chronicles Book 2) by Ava Morgan Page B

I’ll be visiting one of the laborer’s hospitals in January. Each month the factory-related injuries get worse. But I digress.” He closed the lid on the metal samples. “Thank you for these. Now I can begin crafting.”
    “You should ask the Secretary for clearance to work at headquarters,” Rhys ventured. “My wife may even lend you an automaton to assist you. Of course, you’d have to instruct it beforehand.”
    “The offer is generous, but I have already invested in training an assistant. Last month, I hired her.”
    Rhys looked up and to the side as though he were consulting his memory. “Is she the same lady you chose from the audience to assist you during that demonstration?”
    “She is. I take it you were there or are an avid reader of the papers?”
    “I wasn’t there, but the Secretary commented on the potent mixture of nitrous oxide she deployed from the gauntlet gun. See, Lydia, yet another woman who’s not afraid to make a statement with a firearm.” Rhys teased his wife.
    Jacob straightened his collar. “It caused more alarm than anything else. I should have better explained to my assistant how the weapon worked, but there wasn’t enough time onstage.”
    “Pay no attention to my husband, Doctor.” Lydia gave Rhys a mock scowl. “He enjoys bantering with me.”
    Her husband’s eyes twinkled at her. “I’ve had my own share of firearm mishaps. That’s how she and I met. It was on a beach. White sand, sun high in the sky. And this lovely woman comes up to me, but before I can doff my hat and greet her like a proper gentleman, I find myself staring down the barrel of a very big blunderbuss.”
    Jacob witnessed a bronze blush creep upon Lydia’s cheeks. Again, he felt as though he were intruding upon the couple’s unusual, though humorous, flirtation. “Well, things have improved for the two of you, I’m sure.”
    Rhys and Lydia continued to stare into each other’s eyes. Jacob was certain that he and the settee were the only things keeping the two of them from embracing.
    An odd sensation sprang within him. He recognized it as loneliness. Seeing the newlywed Cartrets, with their display of love and playful affection, served as a poignant reminder of an aspect of life that managed to elude him.
    Thank heaven for the ringing of the dinner bell. The sound broke through the trance of the spell the Cartrets had upon each other, and allowed Jacob to change the subject without seeming rude. “My housekeeper and valet have Christmas dinner ready. Would you care to join us?”
    Rhys regarded the grandfather clock. “We were going to find a food vendor at the rail station before leaving for our honeymoon. What do you think, Lydia? The doctor’s kind invitation to dinner promises better than what the station has to offer.”
    “I would enjoy sampling British holiday cuisine.” Lydia smiled. “And we can finish discussing the properties of Aspasian metals. Please lead the way, Dr. Valerian.”
    Jacob showed them into the dining room, pleased now that he, Maria, and Struthers would have additional company.
    For the first time in years, his dining room was filled with the sounds of lively conversation. But even as the wine flowed and the Christmas ham was passed amongst them, Jacob thought of Abigail.
    “This cinnamon bread is delicious,” Lydia said, after taking a bite.
    “My assistant had it sent from the bakery.” Jacob consumed his first slice and was onto his second.
    “She had good taste. I look forward to meeting her if she comes to the COIC.”
    “Miss Benton would complete our gathering.” Jacob spoke the words before he fully comprehended them. “For our discussion of the metal properties, that is.” He raised his glass to his lips to relieve his suddenly parched throat.
    The Cartrets and the Strutherses continued to dine as though nothing odd was said. Jacob attempted to do the same, but his mind now filled with thoughts of his slender, auburn-haired assistant, with her