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

affections of a man. A year ago, I'd given up hope of marriage and embraced spinsterhood. And then Eddie breezed into my life with his easy smiles, handsome face, and eagerness to please. Nothing was too much trouble or too dull, from accompanying me to the market to watching me fix a clock in the workroom.
    Yet he'd never laughed at the jokes I laughed at. I should have taken that as a sign that he wasn't for me, at the very least. A lifetime without laughter would have been sheer drudgery. It was a testament to my desperation that I agreed to marry him, despite his lack of humor.
    Mr. Glass set his teacup down and shifted in his chair. The silence stretched uncomfortably, and I wished we hadn't raised the subject of Eddie at all. I concentrated on sipping my tea until finally Mr. Glass spoke.
    "Does the Watchmakers' Guild keep records of previous members?"
    "I suppose so, but I'm not sure how helpful their register would be in finding your watchmaker when you don't know his name. I think we can be quite sure it isn't Chronos."
    "Agreed." He sighed. "Shall we discuss the route we'll take this afternoon?" He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and moved his teacup aside to make space on the table. The paper turned out to be a map of London.
    "Are you sure you're up to going out again this afternoon?" I asked.
    His shoulders tensed. "Of course. There's nothing wrong with me."
    "But—"
    "The map, Miss Steele. Please point out where you think we should go next."
    I sighed and studied the map. "We'll try the area south of Hyde Park and over to Westminster," I said, drawing a circle with my finger around the area. "That should be enough for today."
    "Out of the way of Oxford Street," he said with a nod of agreement.
    "Yes," I said quietly. "Well away."
    "We'll stop by the Masons' and retrieve your belongings while we're out."
    "And mention the trouble Mr. Abercrombie is trying to stir up. I couldn't bear it if they heard the rumors from another source first, or if Mr. Abercrombie approached them looking for me."
    "He won't pursue the matter." He folded the map and returned it to his pocket.
    "You can't be sure of that."
    He gave me a crooked smile that was full of mischief and mystery. "Yes, I can."

    * * *
    T he afternoon's visits brought us no closer to finding Mr. Glass's watchmaker. Fortunately, I was neither attacked nor snubbed, although that could have been because I remained in the carriage most of the time. I only got out at Mr. Healy's shop, to stretch my legs and see how he fared. He'd been a good friend to Father and kind to me on the day of the funeral. I wanted him to know that I was well. I was relieved when he greeted me with a smile.
    We stopped at the Masons' home in the late afternoon, and Mrs. Mason welcomed us with a cup of tea and slices of walnut cake. "Gareth, take this to your Papa and brother in the shop," she said, handing her son a tray laden with teapot and cake.
    Gareth disappeared and a few minutes later, Mr. Mason returned alone, carrying his teacup. He greeted us with strained smiles and shook Mr. Glass's hand.
    "Any success?" he asked.
    "Not yet," Mr. Glass said. I was glad to see that he wasn't overset with tiredness this afternoon. He looked quite well. "But Miss Steele assures me we've only scratched the surface. I had no idea London was so large."
    "It's Europe's grandest city," Mr. Mason said with a puff of his chest.
    "Aside from Paris," Catherine said dreamily. "I do so wish to see Paris one day, don't you, India?"
    "I've never thought about it before," I said. "I suppose so, but I doubt I'll ever leave London. I only speak English, for one thing, nor do I know anyone outside this city."
    Catherine huffed out a small breath. "You're so conventional all the time."
    I blinked at her. By conventional, I suspected she meant dull. Was that how she saw me? As a prim spinster with no dreams, no ambitions or hopes? Was that how everyone saw me?
    "Paris is indeed a beautiful city." Mr.