The Iron Heart Page 4

  Her shoulders tensed, yet she couldn’t take her gaze from it.

  This was the best representation of a clockwork body part she’d ever seen. For years, many Greenland inventors had attempted to create the automatons, wanting cheaper labor than human servants. Much to the relief of the hardworking class of Lundun, no one had succeeded.

  Yet.

  If this arm was any indication, clearly Bennett had the skill of a master inventor, as she had surmised earlier in the day. He could be the one to put thousands of Commoners out of work.

  A lump formed in her throat. If she and the Commoners were in luck, this arm was as far as Bennett had gotten. It might be possible that he could not create the entire human body.

  But her heart sank as she set down the lamp and surveyed a stack of books. Human Anatomy; Motions, Potions and Locomotions; Mechanical Life. And more.

  Sliding the last book toward her, Ellie noticed a piece of paper inside the page. She pulled it out and brought it over to the lamp for closer investigation.

  It was a drawing. In fairly good detail, it was a rendering of what they had enacted tonight. A man stood behind a woman, his arm holding back both of hers, his hand upon her breast.

  That woman was petite, her hair sketched light, her face young. The man behind her was nearly a head taller, with wide shoulders. On his face was a pair of goggles.

  No wonder Bennett knew how Rosemary was murdered. He’d drawn the entire scene.

  Her palms dampened, knees trembled. Standing in his workshop amid the crazy inventions, she suddenly realized she knew very little about the man.

  It didn’t make sense. How could he have possibly penciled this so quickly? Rosemary was only examined this evening.

  Did he know more than he let on? It would not be possible for him to know the details of Jenny’s death. They’d kept that information private and buried her quickly.

  Oh God. Icy shards of dread stabbed deep in Ellie’s bones.

  Only one other person would know how her cousin died.

  Her killer.

  Chapter Four

  Bennett unstrapped his safety harness and climbed out of the S2. Usually he would spend much of the night nestled in the flyer, waiting and watching.

  Tonight was different. Today he’d met Ella Wilder.

  She made him restless. Her determined, intelligent mind and luscious curves were a distraction he most certainly did not need.

  Bennett tucked the key to his flyer in his pocket and slipped out into the narrow side street. Shadows and darkness loomed, the stench of rotting garbage assaulted his nostrils. He swallowed the gag surging up his throat. One would think he’d be used to it by now. He wasn’t.

  His shoes clicked on the stone, ruining any chance of surprise. He must learn to walk more quietly.

  A stray cat darted past him, hissing and growling as it went. He watched it disappear down another alley.

  So many twists and turns, so many corners and alcoves. The streets of Lundun were rife with hiding places. No wonder death felled many a hapless victim here.

  A few more streets over, Bennett heard the high-pitched giggle of a woman. Instantly, his heart slammed at double speed.

  He slowed his walk, quieted his step until he was just a few yards away. Slowly, he edged along a stone wall. Rats scurried at his approach.

  This could be the one. The one he’d been searching for. When he peeked around the corner, he saw her leaning up against a wall, a man pressing himself against the spread of her legs. Her dark hair bounced over her shoulders as his heavy body pounded into her.

  No.

  Bennett pulled away, disappointment flooding his gut. Not the one he was looking for. Never the damn one he was looking for.

  He stalked back the way he’d come. Now he didn’t care for silence. Let them all know he was here. In only a few more hours, the sun would rise and he’d be on his way back to Barrington Manor.

  Slumber awaited him, as did compelling visions of the tempting and distracting Ella Wilder.

  Ellie left at daybreak the next morning. If Bennett had returned, she wasn’t aware. And she wasn’t going to search for him either.

  Once she’d returned to her room last night, chills and cold sweats accompanied a scarce slumber. Nightmares plagued her—vivid, swirling dreams of Bennett and knives and mechanical arms.

  He wasn’t the killer. He couldn’t be. Wouldn’t she know, somehow sense an evilness lurking in his soul? Her body reacted to Bennett but not with fear. There must be an explanation for the drawing in his work room. There must be a reason he would know how the attack was carried out. Certainly. Blazes, there must be.

  A clear sky and endless blue horizon allowed her to coast her way back to the Lundun border but the thick haze and smoke greeted her as she crossed over the threshold. As much as she loved the vibrancy of the country, the activity which generated the town’s heavy air made her feel welcome. The commoners of Lundun worked. They dirtied their hands, strained their muscles, made their brows sweat.

  Of course, that may not last long if a clockwork could come in and take over for them.

  Ellie shook off the anger bubbling up from her gut as she reached their little shop and set down upon the roof. After locking up and covering the Lightrider, she made her way below and stopped only long enough for a clean dress and to freshen up.

  Uncle Joseph was in the shop. The midday sun managed to penetrate the front windows and cast a shaft of light across his slumped shoulders. He was fixing something, maybe a small toy, but looked up when he heard her.

  A smile lit his worn face. “Ah, Ellie. You remind me so much of my Jenny.”

  He reached an arm out and she hurried to give him the embrace he so needed. Perhaps she needed it too.

  When he let go, she noticed his blue eyes were shining. Her heart ached. She’d give anything to bring Jenny back. Nothing she’d done before or since had prepared her for this kind of pain. She carried the weight of her own, as well as her uncle’s.

  He took her hand. The calluses were rough on her fingers, yet more soothing than the softest skin. “Having you here means the world to me.”

  She nodded. “I-I’m sorry I was gone for so long.”

  “You are young and beautiful. You should not have to spend every minute with your old uncle.”

  She brushed his wrinkled cheek with the back of her hand. “I would be honored to spend every minute with my brilliant uncle.”

  His smile brought a prick of tears to her eyes. Ellie had no doubt then that she’d made the right choice those months ago. She told herself she had been looking for an escape from Hilltop Hall and those that ruled it. But she’d come because Uncle Joseph had been more of a father to her than her own. Jenny had been the sister she didn’t actually have.

  For the next few hours she helped Uncle Joseph fix a clockwork kitten toy. It had stopped chasing after string and the little girl who brought it was most upset at this. The child should be confident that it was in competent hands. There was nothing her uncle could not fix.

  “I neglected to tell you that someone stopped by for you early this morning.” Uncle Joseph squinted his eyes. “Miles. Said to find him at the tracks when you returned.”

  Her chest tightened. Not more bad news. Lord, no. Ellie hurried out the front shop door. She hurried down the uneven sidewalk and past the many drab buildings.

  Almost a mile further into the center of the city, she came across the steps which led to the train tracks. There was a gear-rigged elevator which would have taken her up the five stories, but she preferred the climb. She would not let herself get weak.

  The smell of oil and coal grew stronger. Engines hissed and men shouted. Thick air blew in, filling her lungs with heaviness.

  The trains mostly carried goods, rather than people. In fact, only one car on most was for passengers. Few commoners had reason to leave Lundun. Fewer nobles had reason to enter. Those who could afford it had personal flying craft.

  At last sh
e reached the platform. After a few questions, she found Miles. He stood with the workers, who were shoveling coal from an enormous pile into the mouth of an engine.

  At the sight of her, he hurried over. His policeman’s cap covered long, slick hair.

  “Was worried you wouldn’t come.”

  “I’m sorry. My uncle only told me of your visit this afternoon.”

  “When did you get home? You don’t commonly stay overnight.”

  A chill tickled down her spine. She looked down at his shoes. They were scuffed and covered in ash. “It was unexpected.”

  “Ah.” Miles looked around him and then pulled her to the side by the edge of the platform. Only a short wall separated anyone from falling to their death.

  “Ellie.” He closed his eyes. A bad sign. She held her breath, kept the panic at bay. “There was another attack.”

  The air rushed out of her. “No.”

  “The girl, Sarah Connelly, is alive, though. It happened just after midnight.”

  Another attack. Her eyesight dimmed, reddened at the edges. Heart pummeled against her ribs. The overwhelming urge to have a mob hunt the monster down shot through her like a stab of lightning.

  “Where?”

  “District Three.”

  She looked up. “Three? Are you certain?”

  Miles nodded. “I’m certain. I was at the station last night when it was reported.”

  Ellie clenched her teeth. Damn, he’s moved. Again. He was no longer in Bennett’s district. He’d moved on. The District Three leader should know. She tapped her fingers up on the short wooden slat wall. “Maybe this was someone else? Not the same attacker as Jenny and Rosemary Sanders.”

  He shrugged a shoulder. “I think it’s the same. Thought you’d want to know about it. Maybe put it in your paper. Doesn’t seem like the constable will do nothing. He’s of a mind they deserved it, the sonofabitch.”

  “We’ll find him, Miles. I promise.”

  Ellie was impatient. She knew this. It was a fault of hers, but she had a very hard time waiting when she wanted something done.

  Thus, she didn’t linger for a more reasonable time, although it was after the noon hour, or to send a note ahead when she left again for Barrington Manor. She must see Bennett again.

  Ellie didn’t bother to change into a fine dress as she had for the Syndicate meeting or have her hair done up just right. There wasn’t time. And she didn’t give much of a damn about them anyway.

  After spending the morning meeting with Sarah Connelly and learning how the girl was attacked, yet managed to escape, she must see Bennett. He could hold the key to Jenny’s murder.

  She flew her Lightrider over the pointy roofs of the city around to District Four then straight out to the Greenlands. The spires of Bennett’s manor came into view and she lowered herself down to the front of the house.

  The butler named Craft opened the door and regarded her with nothing more than a single raised eyebrow.

  “I must see Lord Barrington. It is urgent.”

  “He is not available. You gave no advanced knowledge of your arrival.”

  Not available? Asleep, most likely.

  “I am not turning around. I will wait for him inside.”

  Craft stifled a sigh and led her to a parlor room. “I will notify his lordship of your appearance.”

  She nodded and wandered around the room, poking at strange objects, cranking levers, and turning gears. Lights went on and off. Curtains opened and closed.

  “Miss Wilder.”

  Ellie jumped, caught at her nosy curiosity.

  “Lord Barrington asks to not be disturbed. You are to return at supper.”

  She would not return at supper. She was not going anywhere. She needed to see him now.

  “You tell him that I will not leave to return later. If he kept hours like a civilized person, there would be no need for this.”

  Craft stared at her, not flinching.

  “If he will not see me here in the parlor, then I will see him at his location. Even if it is his bedchamber!”

  The butler turned and disappeared up the grand stairwell. Meanwhile, Ellie continued to touch every button and twist every knob. If Bennett was going to make her wait, she could at least be entertained.

  After several moments, Craft returned. He cleared his throat and she put down the clockwork bug that skittered back and forth across a long table.

  “Is his lordship ready to see me now?”

  “You are to have your wish.” The butler blinked. “If you would, please follow me to his bedchamber.”

  Chapter Five

  Ellie followed Craft through the house. Uncertainty and fascination mushroomed with each step she took. A tingle swirled in her gut then danced beneath her breast.

  Bennett was not the killer. He wasn’t.

  Besides, even if he was, he certainly wouldn’t do anything in his own house with his servants all about.

  This nervousness was the result of his mysterious secrets and workroom revelations. He was an attractive man. One who made her mouth water, her pulse leap. She ached for his touch more than she shied from his glare.

  In just a moment she would be inside his bedchamber. She’d not been in a man’s room before. Although she’d imagined it. While Jenny would giggle about simply sleeping next to a man, Ellie would envision having his hands skim over her breasts and what it would feel like to entwine her legs with his.

  Craft stopped before a set of double doors. He gave a slight knock, and at his lord’s reply, pushed open the doors. Then, without a word, he withdrew. She was alone.

  “Miss Wilder.”

  Or not.

  Bennett’s voice was gruff, like a man who’d been woken unwillingly.

  Ellie moved slowly across the expansive room, guided only by the dying embers of the fire. Curtains were drawn and no gas lamps lit dark corners. The familiar clench of fear stole through her gut. But she was not alone.

  Not alone.

  “What is so urgent it could not wait?” The words came from the enormous bed on the far wall. She could make out a shape, which moved as she neared. Blankets rustled.

  “Another woman was attacked the day before last. When I was here with you.”

  He sighed, but nothing more.

  She edged closer. “She’s alive though.”

  “Alive?” Bennett sat up. Blankets fell away to his waist. Her gaze feasted up the dim outline of his torso and bare arms. An intriguing shiver spun to her toes.

  “Yes. I saw her just before I came here.”

  “Is she hurt?”

  She continued forward but her toe kicked something in her path. A pair of goggles skittered toward the bed. They may be a match to Sarah Connolly’s description of ones the attacker wore, but Ellie did not bend to retrieve them. It would raise suspicion with Bennett.

  A slight shiver coursed down her spine. She could very well be in the same room as a killer.

  No, damn it. He wasn’t. She would not be attracted to a murderer. She’d know.

  “She was frightened, but no visible damage other than some bruises on her wrists.”

  He leaned back against the headboard and crossed his arms. “And yet you had to tell me this instant.”

  Ellie was nearly to the bed. Light from a crack in the curtains outlined his chorded biceps and chest. Her mouth watered. She swallowed.

  “The killer is on the move. This happened in District Three.”

  “Ah. I see.” He pointed to the window. “There is a button near your right hand. See it? Good. Press it.”

  She did as he asked and heard the creaking sound of un-oiled gears. The curtains beside her pulled apart. Little by little, moment by moment, daylight filtered into the room. Along with it came a brilliant, sharp view of Bennett’s state of undress.

  For a few brief seconds, she stared at his slick skin, his strong masculine form. Warmth flushed to her toes. A sizzling ache flourished between her legs. An ache she didn’t quite know what
to do with.

  “How…how do I stop it?”

  A short chuckle and then, “Press it again.”

  Her action brought the curtains to a halt. Twelve inches of sunlight was enough for her. Yes, she now had a fine view of the large room, with its usual wardrobes and dressers and chairs. She could plainly see the dropped clothing on the floor and draped over a settee. The goggles she’d kicked were now just at the edge of the monstrous bed.

  And the nearly naked man upon it was watching her with a heated stare. Liquid fire danced under her skin, made her breasts heavy. Were she to lie on this bed, would he skim his fingertips over her shoulders and across the curve of her neck?

  She pulled her gaze away again. “I-I believe he can be stopped.”

  “Oh?”

  “Well, until we can catch him—”

  “We?”

  “Yes, we. You and I will catch this hellish demon. And until we do, we can help the women of Lundun protect themselves.”

  His lips pursed but he said nothing.

  “You should have no trouble creating a gadget of some sort for women to carry on their person.”

  “Hmmm.” Bennett shifted again, forcing the blankets slightly lower than his waist. Her eyes followed the trail of dark hair sprinkled from his chest to a mysterious bulge in the blanket. He was so…well, so very male.

  “Why, Ella, I do believe you are blushing.”

  Mortified, she brought her gaze to his sinful eyes. “If you were dressed appropriately, I wouldn’t be blushing.”

  His lip curled. “If you had come at a better time, I would not be in my bed.”

  “If you didn’t keep vampire hours, you would consider this a normal time.”

  Bennett scratched his whiskered chin. “Fine, Ella, you win. I shall rise and get dressed.” He leaned forward. “Would you care to watch?”

  The gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it. Bennett…getting up from that bed with nothing but the skin he was born in…oh Lord. Heart skipped. Lips dried. At once, a sweet tingle soared through her veins.

  She’d always wondered what a man looked like naked. How exactly did those masculine parts fit between his legs? Did those dark curls cover all of him or just certain parts?