Read Online Viridis - A Steampunk Romance by Calista Taylor - Free Book Online Page A

had a good idea as to the subject of the
conversation.
    “Yes, of course.” Gabriel led the way to his office,
and once seated, Victor wasted no time getting to the heart of the
matter.
    “It is regarding your sister. Being the eldest male
in your family it is your responsibility to see she finds suitable
prospects of marriage, and I guarantee you will not find a better
offer, especially when you take into consideration her conduct has
at times been less than ladylike. I personally like the challenge
of dealing with a headstrong woman, but there aren’t many who would
bother. Have you not spoken to her about my offer of marriage?”
    Gabriel took a deep breath to get his anger under
control, since he knew no good would come of physically or verbally
assaulting the bastard standing before him. “I have spoken to her,
and I’m afraid she is not interested in marriage, not to you or
anyone else, for that matter. It is no reflection on you, I assure
you. As you pointed out, you have plenty to offer. However, my
sister makes her own decisions, regardless of what society has
deemed proper, and cares not if all others consider it a good
catch. That being the case, I cannot imagine why you would even be
interested, for surely there must be plenty of ladies willing to
marry you, and proper ones at that.” Gabriel stood, putting an end
to the conversation. “I am sorry I cannot be of further assistance,
but I have other business to attend to. I’m sure you
understand.”
    Gabriel ignored Victor’s stammerings as he escorted
him out of his office. Though he did truly believe Phoebe should be
allowed to marry whom she wanted, the truth of the matter was he
would be furious with her if she chose to marry Victor. He had
never liked the man and he could not imagine a more mismatched
pair. But there was more—Gabriel knew something of Victor’s various
dealings around town, and worried that, at his core, Victor was a
cruel and merciless man, though he’d always been careful enough to
keep his true nature hidden from London society.
    The encounter with Victor left him feeling
irritable, so Gabriel found one of the other bar keeps to cover the
rest of his shift. He ran through the figures he had for the night
thus far and then took his leave. He had not been able to shake
Niles from his thoughts. With his mind racing, he took a coach to
The Stag and Hound.
    Chances were good he’d find Moore holed up in there,
and after dealing with Victor, Gabriel was in a foul enough mood to
take him on. He wanted answers. If Niles was dead, then there was a
good chance his involvement with the Cause had something to do with
it. And if it involved the Cause then it involved Moore and
Clarke.
    He paid the driver, taking the remaining distance on
foot. A brisk wind carried with it the first flakes of snow,
dizzily dancing in their fall. There would be several inches on the
ground come morning, and one look at the sky told him it wouldn’t
be letting up anytime soon.
    Each footfall echoed eerily as the sound seemed to
bounce off the thick air itself. The roads were empty. Most had
taken themselves indoors, either for sleep or drink, with the hopes
of an escape from the relentless cold that had fallen upon the city
these last few weeks. Gabriel wondered just how long it would last,
cursing under his breath as he pulled the collar of his coat up
around his ears.
    Just ahead, he could see the faint glow of light
through the steamed and sooty windows of the tavern. He stepped in
out of the cold, his skin prickling with burning warmth. It was
late, well after midnight, but The Stag offered its patrons warmth
and company they may not get at home, evident by the still healthy
trade.
    “A pint and an eel pie, if you would.” Gabriel said,
taking a seat and sliding his coin down the bar towards the
publican, a gruff and hefty man who looked like he’d been serving
ale all his life and wouldn’t stop until he’d taken his last
breath.
    The ale was cold