Steam Guardians 01 - A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious

by Mary Wine

  And that knowledge excited her.

  Definitely wicked…

  The sensation was unsettling, and for some odd reason, she sensed that he knew exactly how he affected her. It was in the narrowing of his eyes and the thinning of his lips—tiny little details she shouldn’t have noticed but did.

  “My apologies, Professor, for having your lecture interrupted by a trespasser,” the newcomer said. “I will remove her.”

  “Mr. Lawley, she is still holding the crystal…If you touch her…the current…ah…” The lecturer’s warning came too late. Janette barely felt the man close his grip around her upper arm when he growled and released her.

  “I did warn you, Darius. That’s a level-four sample she’s holding. Because she’s a Pure Spirit, the current is going straight—”

  “Enough. She’s heard too much already. She is not an Illuminist.”

  Darius Lawley offered the professor a frown. When he turned his head, Janette was treated to the view of some sort of device covering his ear. Several copper and silver gears were visible, and the men behind him wore similar devices. These men didn’t look like the other Illuminists attending the lecture. They were burly, and their expressions, hard.

  Like constables.

  Darius jerked his head back toward her the moment she moved. There was sharpness in his eyes, but what she sensed most about him was the fact that he was dangerous. He was unlike any man she’d met. Her world had always been full of gentlemen whom she trusted to remain at a polite distance.

  This man was nothing like that. He’d boldly touched her, and that brief connection felt somehow…intimate. Yet she wasn’t offended. The surge of excitement was only growing stronger as she contemplated leaving with him.

  “If you please, miss, give the crystal to Professor Yulric.” His voice was deep and raspy, setting off a ripple of awareness that traveled down her length in spite of how perfectly polite his words were.

  “Yes, quite right. Hand it here. It’s quite volatile, you understand.” The professor shuddered. He extended his hand with the protective glove still in place.

  “I find the lecture quite amazing. I’d like to remain to learn more about the crystal.”

  “Illuminists only,” Darius informed her. His expression tightened, his lips sealing into a hard line.

  She sighed before turning her hand over so the crystal dropped into the professor’s waiting palm.

  “Clear a path…Clear the way…” Professor Yulric hurried down the aisle, and the crystal began to whine as he neared the other one. “Remove the male, for heaven’s sake, or we’ll have another uncontrollable reaction.”

  “The what? Did you say male? As in gender?” Janette asked, too curious to contain her question.

  “Nothing,” Darius informed her quietly. “You do not belong here.”

  He reached past her and grasped one of her shoulders and neatly turned her around so the sight of Professor Yulric was lost. It was done with such a light touch she stood slightly shocked.

  “But I want to see—”

  “I’ve no doubt you do, but you have snuck inside our chambers, which I cannot allow. Please come with me.”

  She really couldn’t refuse; after all, he was correct. She followed him, and his men fell into step behind them.

  Confusion needled her as they went right past the doorman. Her expectation that she would be tossed unceremoniously out onto the front steps vanished as Darius continued on, granting her the opportunity to see more of the forbidden building.

  It should have alarmed her; instead, she felt another jolt of heat stab into her. She didn’t care at all if the situation was proper, it was exciting.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “To my office.”

  He lifted his hand to touch the device in his ear. Almost in the same instant there was a groan as a door ahead of them opened. Darius led her through it, and the door closed behind them with a solid sound.

  The room they had entered was quite big for an office and had a large desk like one she would expect to find in a police station sitting in the middle of the floor. Darius walked around to sit behind it as his men took up positions behind her. There was no chair in front of the desk. The criminal stood, while the detective sat.

  Darius considered her from head to boot toe with a razor-sharp gaze. “Ladies who practice deceptions often discover themselves far from their comfortable parlors, Miss…?”

  “Miss Janette Aston.”

  How wicked such a simple suggestion seemed coming from him. Her cheeks felt like they were blazing, yet fear hadn’t arrived to dampen her enjoyment of the moment.

  Bold women come to no good end, her father was fond of telling her. But at the moment she felt more alive than she ever had. In fact, she wanted to match the man in front of her.

  “You needn’t be so sour. I haven’t hurt anyone.” She swallowed to clear the huskiness from her tone. “You are not an officer of the law.”

  “Here, I am.” His voice returned to its formal tone. “And before you demand to see my superior, I will tell you I am in command of the Guardian personnel in this Solitary Chamber. You shall deal with me, Miss Aston.”

  There was a flicker of heat in his eyes, a hint of enjoyment that made his statement more personal. A twist of excitement went through her belly, shocking her with just how affected she was.

  “I see.” Apprehension tried to rise inside her, but she shook it off. “Surely you can see the compliment in my desire to attend one of your lectures.”

  He raised a dark eyebrow, appearing too rakish by far. There was a hint of something in his eyes that sent her eyelids fluttering. It was pure response. She failed completely to control it, and it undermined her determination to meet him with boldness. His gaze settled on the blush staining her cheeks.

  “Tell me, does it concern you to be here unescorted?”

  He waved a hand, and the two men behind her turned to leave. Amusement glittered in his dark eyes, rubbing her temper enough to help her recover her poise. The man was clearly toying with her.

  And she was enjoying it…

  But she shouldn’t. She folded her hands primly.

  “Mr. Lawley, I simply cannot stand for this…well…this—”

  “Lack of formality?” he supplied in a tone rich with suggestion. “You have willfully entered my world. Do not be so naïve as to think I will conform to your high-society ideas of what my behavior should be.”

  Her mind was happy to offer several ideas of just what he might be suggesting too. She shook her head to dispel her wild imaginings. Boldness might be fine to toy with, so long as she wasn’t facing a man such as this one. She could not trust him or her reaction to him. The Solitary Chamber truly was another world, and she felt the change dramatically.

  Yet there was something about him—something she felt more than had evidence to support—that made her believe he was only trying to play on her fears.

  “I really am not a rabbit to be frightened off with any hint of impropriety. If that were so, I’d have stopped reading your science circulars years ago, or likely never begun, given my father’s disapproval of anything to do with your order. I find the circulars fascinating.”

  His head cocked to one side as he studied her. “Brave words, easily spoken when you clearly believe your behavior will never be found out by anyone in your corner of the world. Perhaps I should keep you here and send a message to your father to come and collect you.”

  “How unkind of you to threaten me like a child.” The man was trying to unnerve her. It should have bothered her; instead, she was beset by the need to stand firm in the face of his threats.

  “If you want to be treated gently like a lady, you should remain in your dress and petticoat.”

  Maybe she was tired of being t
reated like a lady…

  Her thoughts shocked her, making her struggle to find the correct words to reply. There was too much expectation in his tone, and part of her truly wanted to surprise him. “I never thought the title Illuminist implied your kind were not honorable.”

  “Really?” He stood, and she felt her breath quicken. His devil-may-care attitude fascinated her when it should have sickened or shocked her at the very least. She needed to find her discipline—and quickly.

  “You are amusing yourself at my expense. Even if you persist in accusing me of wrongdoing, you shouldn’t try to frighten me like some dockside bully.” She nodded, satisfied with her reply. At least she sounded confident, even if it was pretense. Even an Illuminist couldn’t see into her thoughts.

  And yet there was a flicker of something in his dark eyes that hinted that he knew just how unsteady she felt. But she maintained her composure, staring straight back at him, and he abandoned his playfulness.

  “And what, pray tell, would you have to say if you had discovered me in your kitchen, Miss Aston? Would the excuse that I was curious as to the pattern of china you keep be sufficient to appease you?”

  He was mocking her, his voice deep and rich. But she felt a prick of guilt.

  “There is a difference between walking up to a door to see if it would be opened and discovering you in my home,” she muttered. “Your man opened the door for me. Go and deal with your doorman for allowing me in without one of your pins.”

  “He only did so because you are a—never mind.”

  “I am a what?” She looked at the gold pin on his lapel, noticing the crystal in it for the first time. “Is my ability to handle crystals the reason I was allowed in? What does that make me?”

  His expression became stone-hard and impossible to read.

  “You are being childish to assume we keep such strict membership requirements if there were nothing inside this building worth keeping secret.”

  There was a note of truth in his words, but part of her was still insanely captivated by the rogue who’d been teasing her. He’d retreated behind a socially acceptable demeanor now, and she found it disappointing.

  “I suppose you are finished now with teasing me about doing your worst. Do you truly believe I was impressed?” The words tumbled out before her better judgment intervened.

  Surprise lit his eyes, and the corners of his mouth twitched up. The smile transformed his face, making him too pleasing by far once again.

  “You are nowhere near ready to handle my worst, Miss Aston. But you are accurate in your assessment. If you weren’t so young, you’d recognize that as a warning and not a compliment.”

  There was a dark promise in his voice. His gaze settled on her lips for a moment, one that lasted longer than was proper. She needed to escape from the room before she did something…impulsive. It was so odd to discover how volatile her nature might be when she was paired with a man who didn’t condemn her for her boldness. Part of her was sure he was encouraging it, pushing at her boundaries to see where her limits were.

  Wicked…and dangerous, for a woman was worth little without her good name. “You have a good point, but I cannot claim I am truly sorry for trying your door personnel. I did not choose where I was born any more than you did,” she stated quietly. “Yet it is time I departed before my friend worries enough to summon the local constables.”

  He shook his head, enjoyment glittering in his eyes. “You were not kidnapped, so I highly doubt your friend will be quick to report where you are.”

  “A moment ago you were insisting that I do not belong here, and now you dangle the idea that no one shall miss me in front of my nose?”

  He was like a cat with a mouse, so confident of his superiority. Her temper rose, burning through the haze that clouded her rational thinking.

  “You shall press that ear device of yours immediately and open that door for me.” She slapped her hand down on the desk to ensure he understood how intent she was.

  Darius jumped the moment her hand made contact, and he reached out to capture her wrists, but he only locked his fingers around one of her hands. Her other hand made contact with the smooth surface of the desk, and when it did, the entire thing lit. A soft whine filled the air, and she felt the current travel through her.

  Darius released her with a muffled word that sounded very much like profanity.

  “Remove your hand.” He sounded annoyed, which pleased her because it placed them back on even ground.

  “Are there crystals inside this desk?” She lifted her hand when his expression tightened with determination to maintain his secrecy. “Why does it pain you to touch me when I’m in contact with those crystals?”

  Science questions were wonderfully devoid of stimulation, at least the physical sort.

  She directed her attention to the desk. Darius reached out and boldly cupped her chin, lifting it so their gazes fused. Her skin flushed uncomfortably hot, her poise deserting her in an instant. Sensation rippled across her skin. She was stunned by just how much she enjoyed his hand on her. So delightful, but wicked nonetheless.

  “You’re being quite forward,” she said, but her tone lacked true conviction.

  “You are hardly sputtering with indignant, puritan outrage,” he muttered. “In fact, you sound…breathless.”

  Now his toying was much more personal and dangerous. Her belly twisted with something that felt like excitement, but her common sense warned her to avoid any further discoveries. He wouldn’t be condemned in his world, but she would be in hers.

  “I’m agitated.” She stepped back to remove herself from his touch. “But you clearly don’t recognize civilized emotions.”

  “Because I’m an Illuminist?” he offered too quickly.

  “Because you are clearly no gentleman, as your behavior proves.” Her father would have approved of her words, but part of her cringed. She was acting the prude when her thoughts were anything but proper. “Why are you being so presumptuous? You judge me, sir, far more than I am guilty of having preconceived notions about your character.”

  Darius came around the desk, his large body capturing her attention. An insane rush of heat washed down her body as he came closer. She became more conscious of the lack of skirt hiding her legs. He was the first man to see so much of her form, and she felt her cheeks burning as he loomed over her. The man never averted his eyes, like a gentleman would have, but surveyed her from head to toe without hesitation.

  Did he like what he saw?

  “Miss Aston, I am responsible for security here, and I don’t have time to teach curious girls lessons their nursemaids should have.”

  He wasn’t attracted to her one bit, which made her a fool. “You are free with your judgments sir.”

  “Perhaps, but I assure you I am very skilled at keeping this Solitary Chamber secure.”

  Now he was formal, and she believed him. Duty was something he held very dear; she could see the devotion in his eyes. He reached up and tapped the device covering his ear. She witnessed it glow. Only in a tiny portion, but the light was unmistakable. The door opened with a soft sound behind her.

  “I will return once I’ve questioned the doorman,” he said. “By all means, continue to think of me as no gentleman. I find the blush on your cheeks…charming.”

  Outrage banished the shame flooding her. “Why, you…rogue.”

  The door closed behind Darius, but not before she witnessed the satisfied smirk on his lips.

  Ill-mannered, gutter hound!

  Insufferable man. She wasn’t going to waste her time on thinking about what he thought of her.

  But you’re still disappointed he is quite out of reach.

  Oh stop already.

  She couldn’t possibly be interested in seeing him again. No. She would deny such feelings, because o
therwise she would be doomed to weeping in her bed.

  Illuminists and ladies did not mix. Ever.

  ***

  “You seem to be failing to impress our guest, Darius.”

  Darius made it to the observation room adjacent to his office to discover Lykos Claxton watching Janette.

  “She lacks a sense of self-preservation. I was attempting to motivate her to stay at her friend’s tea table. I’m sure her father would want it that way.” He wished he agreed more with his better judgment, but his tone betrayed just how little passion he had for doing the correct thing when it came to Janette Aston. She tempted him, and that was dangerous ground.

  Lykos peered at Janette through the wall screen. “You managed to bring a blush to her cheeks and spirit to her voice. No simpering at all. Interesting.”

  Darius didn’t care for the tone of his comment. His comrade was an outstanding guardian, but his second love in life was the art of seduction—a skill he had polished to a high shine with the help of his handsome face. Fair hair and blue eyes added to his appeal with the gentle sex.

  “Why are you here, anyway? I can handle a single trespasser by myself. If you don’t have enough to keep you busy at your posting, I’m sure the council would be happy to assign you someplace that can keep you from wandering away from your post looking for afternoon diversion.”

  “For a look at a Pure Spirit, I’d sit through tea at Buckingham Palace, boring conversation and all. But that little bit of womanhood isn’t hard on the eyes, even if blondes aren’t my favorite.”

  Darius frowned, recognizing the tone of his friend’s voice. Lykos knew how to seduce women far too well. “She’s a Pure Spirit, for all the good it will do us. Her family is upper-crust, not an Illuminist-accepting bone in their bodies.”

  “Why so skeptical? Those cycling pantaloons give me hope.” Lykos nodded. “She won’t be so hard to entice into the order. If she found the courage to step out in those, she’s not the model lady her family wishes.” He flashed a grin at Darius. “Maybe I’m being too rash about those golden locks.”