The Convent's Secret

by C. J. Archer

  I nodded and blinked up at him, my eyes and heart full. "I am now. I was a little upset before."

  "Only a little?"

  "British understatement."

  "Ah, the famous stiff upper lip." He skimmed the pad of his thumb along my top lip. "It's selfish of me to want you to be devastated over my death," he murmured. "But I find I can't help it."

  I smiled. "You're allowed one fault, Matt."

  He chuckled and drew my hand to his lips.

  Chronos cleared his throat. "I don't expect you to stand for this sentimentality, Willie," he said.

  "Matt died," she shot back. "He's allowed to get sentimental. We all are." She threw herself at Matt, flinging her arms around him.

  He managed to catch her and steady her, proving he had regained his strength. She could be a fierce little whirlwind when emotion propelled her.

  "I think it's time for answers," I said, ready to hear them now that the watch's magic seemed to have worked. Matt had already tucked it back into his hidden pocket. Tomorrow he would purchase another spare from the Masons. I hoped he would never have to use it for anything other than telling the time, but it was a comfort to know it was there as a backup if needed.

  "We haven't been properly introduced," Matt said, plucking Willie off and extended his hand to Gabe.

  They introduced themselves and I introduced Gabe to the others. "Thank you for saving my life," Matt said. "I know you feel uncomfortable with your role in keeping me alive, but I want to assure you that I'll give you no cause for regret."

  Gabe nodded but looked unconvinced. "So what now? Do I return home as if nothing happened?"

  "If you like," I said. "If you need anything, we can be found at number sixteen Park Street, Mayfair. You'll always be welcome."

  "Always," Matt assured him.

  Gabe eyed Willie carefully.

  Willie scuffed the toe of her boot on the floor and placed her hands behind her. "I weren't going to really kill someone you loved."

  "I'm glad to hear it."

  "We'll drive you home," Matt said. "My carriage is waiting."

  I finally had my explanations as we drove Gabe to Pimlico. Payne had only wounded Matt in the shoulder, but because of his desperate need for healing magic, he'd been in a "bad way," according to Chronos. Matt had hailed a hack and driven to Chronos's lodgings, and they both traveled to Mr. Gibbons's house in order to find me.

  I crossed my arms. "And how did Matt know where to find you?" I asked Chronos.

  "I left him a letter the day I departed," he said. "In it was my new address."

  "Why didn't you give it to me?"

  "It was best that way. I knew he'd only come if it was an emergency."

  "Best for whom?"

  "Let's not start this again, India. Can you not simply be happy that you have him back? You don't want me around too. I'm old and crotchety. Some would call me mad." He shot a smile at Gabe. "If I am mad it's because I've spent a lifetime looking for you."

  Gabe leaned back a little and blinked wide eyes at Chronos.

  "You are not to go near him ever again," I told Chronos. "Is that understood?"

  "Do you know where my parents live?" Gabe asked Chronos.

  "No," Chronos said.

  Gabe blew out a breath. "Well then, I won't be helping you bring anyone back to life."

  Chronos held up a finger. "You can't bring someone back to life if they're dead, only extend their life if they're dying. Matt stopped breathing in that room today, but there must have been enough breath left in him to keep him alive until the magic worked."

  "A few seconds longer would have been too late," Gabe agreed.

  My stomach rolled. Matt had come close. So very close.

  "It was clever of you to remember about the accent, India," Matt said.

  "My granddaughter is smart. I'm proud of her." Chronos's words brought tears to my eyes again. I looked away, not yet prepared to acknowledge that I'd wanted to hear him say those words ever since meeting him.

  "So, tell me," Gabe said, "who is Mr. Gibbons and how did he help you find us? And why was it necessary to have Mr. Steele with you?"

  "Gibbons is a mapmaker magician acquaintance of ours," Matt told him. "India discovered that a cartography magician can draw a map that reveals the location of a magical object if another magician joins his magic to the process. You had my magic watch," he said to me. "Not only did it have Chronos's original magic in it, but it also had yours. All I needed were the right magicians to find it."

  "I chanted my spell while Gibbons chanted his and sketched," Chronos said. "He claims you don't need a spell but simply hold the map edge, India."

  "Remarkable," Gabe murmured.

  Matt watched me from beneath lowered eyelids. "Yes. She is."

  "The problem was, it kept moving," Chronos said. "The watch, that is. We thought we had it in one location and were just about to go there when it moved slowly away."

  "That must have been when Payne left," I said. "He went to find a sick person to see if the watch would heal them."

  "He wouldn't believe India when she told him it only worked for you, Glass," Gabe said.

  Matt took up the story again. "When the watch appeared to be returning along the same route, we decided to head to the original location where it had been located an hour before."

  Chronos pointed his chin at Matt. "He wouldn't wait any longer."

  "If he had, he might be dead," Gabe said.

  "If I had, India might have died," Matt added darkly.

  "And what about Willie and the others?" I asked. They were currently outside with the coachman and on the footman's seat at the back of the carriage since we couldn't all fit in the cabin. "How did they know where to find us?"

  "Once we'd pinpointed the watch's location, Miss Gibbons, Mr. Gibbons's daughter, fetched them. She had them collect Brockwell from Scotland Yard first, upon my instruction."

  Gabe dragged his hand through his hair and huffed out a disbelieving laugh. "I have learned more today about magic than I have in my entire life."

  "You are a unique magician," Chronos told him. "If there is another like you, I am yet to find him or her, and believe me, I have searched."

  The more earnest Chronos became, the more Gabe looked appalled and uncertain. "I won't combine my magic with time magic again, sir. Do not ask that of me."

  "He won't," Matt assured him. "If he bothers you, contact me."

  Chronos threw his hands in the air. "What's the point of all that magic if it's not used?"

  "He can use it," I said. "He can cure minor ailments as he always has. It's combining that magic with yours or mine that is the problem."

  "It's not a problem, it's a gift." Chronos slouched into the corner with a pout on his lips.

  Thankfully he said nothing more and we were able to have a pleasant conversation with Gabe for the remainder of the journey. He inspected Matt's shoulder wound and instructed him to simply clean it when he got home. The magic had almost healed it completely. He really was a kind man—and dedicated to his work at the children's hospital. He was keen to get there and complete his afternoon shift, although it grew quite late.

  "I also think I'd better visit my parents." He gave me a sheepish smile. "I'd like to thank them for their love and kindness over the years. I owe them."

  "I doubt they'll see it as owing," I said. "Perhaps you could also send Sister Bernadette a letter telling her how you are. Saving you cost her, in a way, and she deserves to know that it was worth it."

  We arrived at his lodging house and thanked him again. He was heading up the front steps when Willie called out, "Wait!" She jumped down from the coach and threw herself at him. The poor man staggered under her weight. She spoke some quiet words and kissed his cheek.

  "Duke may have a rival," I said, smiling.

  "Chronos, you could do with some fresh air," Matt said. "Why not ride outside with the others?"

  "No." Chronos crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not lea
ving you alone to take advantage of India. Not until I see something in writing that states you'll take care of her for the rest of her life. Mark my words, India, get an agreement first. You've got your future to think of."

  Matt looked as if he would argue but thought better of it. He simply gave me a sad smile, reminding me of the situation his uncle had forced him into with Patience. I tried not to think about that. Matt was alive and that was all that mattered for now.

  Bristow met us at the door with a beaming smile. "I am very glad to see you looking in such fine health, sir," he said to Matt. "Very glad indeed. On behalf of all the staff, may I say welcome home."

  "Thank you, Bristow. I'll thank the staff personally after I clean up." Matt looked down at his bloodied clothing. "If this doesn't come out, salvage what fabric you can and donate it. Otherwise, burn all of it."

  "It will come out, sir. Between Mrs. Bristow and me, we've not met a stain that could best us."

  "Is my aunt all right?"

  "In the sitting room, sir." Bristow leaned in. "She hasn't been herself ever since Miss Gibbons came with your message and the others left. Polly has been sitting with her."

  Matt and I headed upstairs to the sitting room, Chronos, Willie, Duke and Cyclops following. They didn't seem interested in going their own way, perhaps because none wanted to let Matt out of sight yet.

  "Aunt Letitia?" Matt said gently, sitting down beside his aunt on the sofa.

  "Thank you, Polly," I said to the ladies' maid. "We'll keep her company for a while."

  "Aunt Letitia, can you hear me?"

  "Of course I can," his aunt said, turning glassy eyes onto Matt. "Where have you been, Harry? I've been waiting and waiting." She clicked her tongue. "Look at you; you're filthy. Go and clean up for dinner or Father will be cross."

  "I'll go now."

  "I'll take you to your room, Miss Glass," I said. "We'll get you ready for dinner. Tonight is a celebration."

  "Celebration?" she echoed, taking Matt's hand. "What are we celebrating?"

  "Life and living."

  She nodded solemnly. "Come along then, Veronica," she said, calling me the name of her maid from years ago. "I want to wear something colorful. I don't know why I'm in this dreary black. Mama has been gone long enough; it’s time to wear something other than mourning."

  "And you all call me mad," Chronos muttered.

  I shot him a glare and followed Matt and Miss Glass up the stairs. He opened her door for us and directed her inside, but stopped me with a hand on my arm. His thumb caressed my elbow. His gaze searched mine, but I wasn't sure what he was looking for. He didn't look as happy as a man who'd escaped death ought.

  "India," he said but did not go on.

  "How do you feel?" I asked. "Do you need to rest now?"

  "I feel better than I have in a long time. A very long time. No resting required."

  "So it worked. It really worked." I would not cry again. I would not cry again. I managed to keep the tears in check but my eyes watered.

  Matt stroked my cheek with his knuckles. "Thank you isn't enough, but it's all I can offer, for now. Thank you, India. You saved my life. Again."

  "You rescued me, and Gabe too. We're even."

  "Hardly." The corner of his mouth lifted but quickly fell again. "We need to talk. It won't be quite the talk I had in mind—my uncle has seen to that—but your grandfather is right. We need to plan for the future."

  A lump swelled in my throat. "Tomorrow. Tonight, I want to drink to your health." I wanted to be happy, and I had a feeling our talk would not end the way either of us wanted it to.

  "India!" Miss Glass called from inside. "India, help me choose what to wear."

  Miss Glass didn't need my help choosing an outfit, and once she was sure that Matt had left, she dismissed me. Thankfully she didn't scold me for having a quiet conversation with her nephew. I was in no mood for her lecture.

  I headed to my own rooms, passing Matt's on the way. Bristow exited, carrying bloodied clothing. I caught a glimpse of Matt standing in his room, bare-chested and looking more masculine than I'd ever seen him. The sight sent quite a thrill through me.

  Bristow caught me staring, and although he didn't smile, the brightness of his eyes gave away his thoughts. He was more mischievous than he let on.

  * * *

  I wore one of my best dresses to dinner, a pale cream silk with yellow spring flowers embroidered into the bodice. Somehow Mrs. Potter the cook had managed to put on quite a feast, considering the lateness of our return. To my surprise, Chronos had not yet left. He must be staying for the food.

  Matt had dressed for the occasion too, wearing a double breasted waistcoat and white tie. Miss Glass wore her finest mourning, but everyone else wore the clothes they'd worn during the day. Miss Glass scolded Willie for it.

  "Why don't you tell the men to change?" Willie said. "Why just me?"

  "Because you're a lady," Miss Glass said.

  "No, I ain't."

  "Amen," Duke muttered.

  Instead of arguing with him, Willie smiled and he returned it.

  "You are Matthew's cousin," Miss Glass said. "Therefore you are a lady when you associate with him."

  Willie answered by picking up a slice of rabbit pie and shoving it into her mouth. Thank goodness she didn't try to talk. Her manners were improving.

  Bristow finished pouring the wine, and Cyclops told him to pour another for himself. At Matt's encouraging nod, he did so, and Cyclops lifted his glass in salute. "To your health, Matt."

  "To your health," the rest of us chorused.

  Bristow sipped before starting to make his exit. "Open a few bottles for yourselves," Matt told him. "Then take the rest of the night off. The cleaning up can wait for tomorrow."

  "That's what I like to hear," Chronos said. "Does that mean you're drinking like a proper man now, Matt?"

  "Just a glass or two," Matt said. "That hasn't changed."

  Chronos rolled his eyes. "Willie'll match me, won't you, Willie?"

  "Try and keep up with me," she said, and drank the contents of her glass.

  She was drunk before dinner finished, but in true Wild West spirit, she refused to retire and continued drinking afterward in the drawing room. She even took to playing the piano, badly, until Miss Glass pushed her aside. They bickered until Duke suggested they play a duet. It worked out rather well, even when Willie decided to add her singing voice. It only began to dissolve into bickering again when she changed the words of God Save the Queen to a version I'd only heard drunkards bellowing.

  "Oi!" Chronos added his objection to Miss Glass's. "You can't say that about our monarch."

  "She ain't my queen," Willie said. "And she is aging and has a face like a sow. Look." She fished out a coin from her pocket and tossed it to him.

  He did not catch it and it rolled into the corner of the room. "You should show some respect if you want to live in England."

  Willie swung around to face Matt. "Speaking of which." She crossed her arms and swayed a little on the seat. "Now that you're better, when are we going home?"

  "I can't go yet," Matt said.

  "Why the hell not?"

  "Language," Miss Glass scolded. "And he can't go because he's going to live here permanently, that's why. Aren't you, Matthew?"

  Matt sighed. "I'm not discussing this tonight."

  "Aye," Duke said with a glare for Willie. "Let the man have some peace and enjoy himself."

  She turned back to the piano and muttered, "All right."

  "Do you really want to leave yet, Willie?" Cyclops said. "Are you sure you've resolved all your personal business here in London?"

  "Personal business, eh?" Chronos smirked. "Sounds intriguing."

  "Don't you have somewhere to go?" Willie snapped at him. "And you, Cyclops, you oversized one-eyed so-called friend, you got personal business to fix here too. Catherine Mason don't deserve to have you run off on her without a word of goodbye."

  "Miss Mason, eh?" Chrono
s chuckled. "Well, well, her father's in for a shock when he learns that."

  "He's got nothing to worry about," Cyclops growled. "I ain't pursuing his daughter." He swallowed the remaining contents of his glass and thumped it down on the chair arm.

  "That's enough," I declared. "Tonight is supposed to be a celebration. Miss Glass, please play something uplifting."

  "Something we can dance to," Matt added.

  Willie whooped and leapt off the piano stool. She helped the men push furniture aside to make space for dancing. Miss Glass played a fast, joyful tune that didn't require intimacy. I suspected she'd done it on purpose to keep Matt and me apart, but I didn't mind. The mood turned happier and there was no more bickering. We danced, drank, and played poker—without gambling for money—until the early hours.

  Matt looked healthier and more awake than I'd ever seen him. I'd always thought him handsome, but for the first time since meeting him, he looked his proper age of twenty-nine, not ten years older. The lines that usually fanned from his eyes and scored his forehead had diminished, the color of his skin was normal, not gray, and a smile was never far from his lips. His eyes shone with good humor most of the time, although I occasionally caught him regarding me somberly.

  At those moments, I smiled back, determined not to let the question of our relationship overshadow the happiness I felt at him being healthy again.

  * * *

  The following morning, I insisted Matt purchase a watch before he went anywhere else. We went directly to the Masons' shop, not the neighboring house, but Catherine was there anyway, showing a lady their range of feminine timepieces. She smiled when she saw me.

  "Have you spoken to Abercrombie lately?" Matt asked Mr. Mason at the counter.

  "No, but a guild meeting has been called for tonight." Mr. Mason set out a range of watches on the counter in front of me, not Matt. He seemed to do it without thinking, concentrating as he was on the conversation.

  I picked out the same watch as last time, since it was the best piece there. "To discuss Oscar Barratt's article?" I asked.

  "And all that it implies." He regarded me levelly, without suspicion or fear. He had never looked at me like that. When my father was alive, he treated me like a child, even when I kept house and ran the shop. After my father died and the guild grew suspicious of me, he treated me like a creature that might attack at any moment. It felt good to now be looked upon as an adult, and an equal at that. Very good indeed. "Did your grandfather really try to extend the life of Eddie Hardacre's father, all those years ago?" he asked.