Steam Guardians 01 - A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious

by Mary Wine

  “I’m warning you, Janette.”

  “Which you have done every time we have met, and I am weary of your dislike of me. Why do you keep trying to encourage me to reject you?”

  His lips thinned, but his eyes still showed her desire. “Because it would keep me from falling victim to your siren song.”

  He kissed her again, his lips ensuring she didn’t have the chance to argue with him. Instead, she found herself battling to recall anything he’d said. All that seemed to matter was the sensation flowing from their kiss. It was the sweetest delight, clouding her thinking and awakening a need to fan the flames so they burned brighter.

  Darius kissed her harder now, pressing until she opened her mouth; when she did, his tongue teased the delicate skin of her lower lip. A ripple of delight went down her body, followed by another when he thrust his tongue into her mouth. It was shocking but immensely intimate. She’d never been so close to another human, and there was a sense of belonging she’d never anticipated.

  Darius pulled away, the hand tangled in her hair holding her in place. Hunger danced in his eyes, and she recognized it even if she’d never seen such aimed at her before. It was as if she’d cast aside childhood and become woman enough to see all the things hidden from the eyes of the innocent.

  “Go to bed, now, before I forget myself further.”

  He made a sound that struck her as disgusted before releasing her. She glared at his wide shoulders before dragging breath into her lungs.

  “Well, if that happened, it would be because I decided I would, and not due to you strong-arming me.”

  He turned in a flash, displaying some of the raw strength she’d noticed he possessed.

  “Don’t challenge me. I’m having enough trouble resisting you.” His tone was hard with warning.

  She should have remained silent. It would have been the wise thing to do, but instead, she propped her hands on her hips and faced off with him.

  “Don’t threaten me, Darius Lawley. I’ve had quite enough of that today, thank you very much.”

  Surprise covered his face, but not for long. Savage enjoyment flared up in his eyes, and it sent a spear of anticipation through her. He lifted a hand and curled a single finger in her direction.

  “If you have the courage, come here.” His voice was almost hypnotic.

  She shouldn’t.

  That bit of wisdom didn’t stick; it slipped out of her mind as her feet began moving. Her confidence increased as she closed the gap and noticed the way his attention was focused so intently on her. She touched him, flattening her hands on top of his chest, and shivered because she was so aware of him, of their reaction to each other. Something was brewing between them, like a storm that threatened to either destroy them or take them on the journey of a lifetime.

  “I am not afraid of you, Darius. But I believe you are of me.”

  He cupped the sides of her face, instantly taking control of their embrace. “Only because I know what happens when passion is spent.”

  He kissed her again, but this time it was hard, demanding, and rough. A tiny wave of fear rippled through her, but it didn’t keep her from kissing him back. Hot need licked at her insides while his mouth demanded a response she was eager to provide. The kiss burned away every shred of thought, leaving her to enjoy the experience. But he lifted his head before she might sink further into the sensations, and it felt like they were being ripped apart.

  “Consider why you trembled just then, Janette. The ride will be intense, but it will have to end eventually. Reality will be waiting, I assure you. The sun will rise, and consequences will be illuminated.”

  His words echoed in her mind long after he left the room.

  She sat down on the bed, feeling too full of mental dilemmas to sleep, but her body was at its limit, and she slumped over onto the pillows.

  ***

  Darius poured himself a half glass of whiskey and tossed it back in one motion. The liquor burned a path down his throat, but it failed to chase the taste of Janette’s kiss away.

  Damn it. He was a monster. So why hadn’t that frightened her?

  He poured another measure but only stared at the amber fluid. He growled and turned his back on it. He wasn’t ready for fate to toy with him again. Not when it came to women. He liked the way the last few years had been, filled with duty and dedication.

  Janette was a huge distraction—in fact, she was a catastrophic one. It had proved almost impossible to keep from calling on her after their garden walk, and the arrival of her friend had been too welcome for the severity of the circumstances.

  Only a beast would find delight in hearing she had been taken into one of society’s clinics. But he had to admit he’d been excited by the prospect of rescuing Janette. The places were horror houses where sanity often slipped away as medical treatment drove the unfortunate victims mad.

  Still, the rescue had been successful, and relief flowed through him. He sat down in a padded armchair, grateful to hear the soft steps above him that announced Janette was moving toward the bed.

  Admittedly, he had been ungentlemanly and possibly even rough in his handling of her. But she was safe beneath his roof, and he was going to find a way to make sure she remained so.

  Darius sat forward, dark thoughts drawing his attention away from his relief. Keeping Janette safe wasn’t going to be easy. Dr. Nerval had avoided being detected as a Helikeian for years, in spite of suspicions surrounding his clinic. Janette was the first witness who could expose him, but even with that, being a Helikeian wasn’t a crime in Britain.

  Only the Illuminists knew the Helikeians for what they were—greedy men who would use the power of the Deep Earth Crystals to construct weapons, a habit repugnant to the Illuminists and everything the Order stood for. Theirs was a conflict that went back through thousands of years of Illuminist history, a conflict he’d devoted his life to ensuring the Helikeians didn’t win.

  If Janette fell into helping the Helikeians, it would be his duty to kill her before she helped shift the balance of power in favor of the Helikeians.

  He stood and took the whiskey. He swallowed it before moving toward his bed for the night. Duty had never disturbed his sleep so much.

  Neither had a kiss.

  ***

  Morning light wasn’t kind.

  Janette rubbed her eyes, and memory rushed in to remind her of what she’d done over the last few days. Her life had altered drastically, yet she didn’t feel exposed.

  Or sullied…

  She’d kissed Darius Lawley and enjoyed it. She refused to feel any shame—absolutely refused—and that was the end of it.

  But that didn’t keep her from lowering her eyes later when she discovered Darius at the kitchen table. The scent of coffee teased her nose, as did the smell of sweet rolls baking.

  “Best eat while you can. The day will be long.”

  “Will it?” She slid into a chair and reached for the coffeepot, but Darius lifted it before she did and filled her cup.

  “Dr. Nerval will no doubt be looking for you, and legally, your father is your guardian. He can have you returned to treatment if your presence here is discovered.”

  Horror shot through her like a bolt of lightning. She reached for the coffee too quickly, turning the delicate china cup over onto its side.

  “Oh my…” Coffee went spilling across the table as she stood to avoid it running into her lap. “I’m sorry.”

  Hector appeared with a large length of towel to soak up the coffee. Janette turned to flee, her appetite gone. A hand landed on her shoulder before she made it very far.

  “Did you think it was over?”

  Darius wasn’t gloating. He turned her to face him, but his expression was far from reassuring.

  “I tried to warn you, Janette, because there
are men who will kill to obtain you. Your natural talent is rarer than gold.”

  She peered out the front window, fearing the sight of blue-coated constables, which ignited her temper.

  “I’ve had a bellyful of fear. That clinic reeked of it.” She wished her voice sounded more confident, but she couldn’t keep the desperation from ringing through.

  “It’s my duty to keep you out of the hands of the Helikeians, but they never would have learned of you if you hadn’t trespassed.”

  “I can’t lament that.” She pointed at the road outside the window. A carriage went by, no horses pulling it. The rooftops weren’t dusted with soot, and the air was clear. “For I never would have seen the wonders of this place. So I’ll hide anywhere I can until I can take that exam—besides, apparently I belong among the Illuminists. Kindly stop warning me away. I intend to challenge the exam.”

  “Thank God for that.” His voice was rough with relief. An odd little grin lifted his lips as he witnessed her confusion. “It’s against the law for me to suggest or encourage any member of society to join our Order. I believe Professor Yulric was as close to breaking that law as I’ve ever seen the man when I told him he had to let you walk out of our Solitary Chamber. But you have to ask.”

  “Well…” She shut her mouth, cutting off the tart retort she’d been about to make. The man was frustrating indeed, but she realized his dedication to upholding the law was something she admired. It made him noble, in spite of how much he vexed her. “That’s why you were tapping your lapel pin before tossing me out.”

  He nodded, and she felt her cheeks burning because she’d failed so completely to take the hint.

  “Becoming an Illuminist won’t change the law. Your father is still considered your guardian unless he disowns you.”

  “He will. If I become an Illuminist, he will never speak my name again.” Unlike the day before, she felt no pain over the parting. Maybe it was because her father had never been happy with her, and now she knew it was her very blood he detested.

  “He can just as easily send you back to the clinic. I have no doubt Dr. Nerval is already at his door demanding to have you returned.”

  Janette looked at him. “Why did you rescue me if you are so sure I can’t escape my father’s authority?”

  “Because Dr. Nerval told you the truth. You are a Pure Spirit, which means your bloodline allows you to handle and hear Deep Earth Crystals. Among Illuminists and Helikeians alike, you are a coveted thing.”

  “Helikeians…as in the fabled enemy of the Atlanteans?” she asked.

  Approval shone in Darius’s eyes. “You might have a chance against that exam after all if you know where the Helikeians come from.”

  “But…Helikeians—”

  “Have long wanted to use the crystals to power weapons that will make them invincible. It’s something the Illuminists oppose them over.”

  “It’s why your Order is so secretive.” The knowledge stunned her. All the wonders about the house hadn’t made her think about what other uses such a power source might have.

  “You have a unique ability, one we can’t afford to have used by the Helikeians.”

  His tone had turned hard, and a shiver went down her spine. “So…that’s why you rescued me? In the hope I’ll decide to work on your side? But that doesn’t explain why you’re trying to scare me now with the facts about the law.”

  His dark eyes narrowed. “I’m trying to make sure you understand how important it is for you to stay with me and not run off out of some worry your virtue is in danger.”

  It was in danger because she had no defense against him…

  Heat churned in her belly, and her lips tingled. She just couldn’t seem to separate the man in front of her from the one who had kissed her. The bright light of day should have made it simple, and still she felt excitement tightening all her muscles.

  “Yes, I understand.” But suspicion tingled along her nerves.

  He made a low sound and reached out to cup her chin. He raised her face so their eyes locked.

  “I believe you think you do, Janette. But I assure you, you don’t understand everything that is happening between us. Do the wise thing and reject it.”

  She stepped back so she could choose whether to keep her eyes locked with his.

  “More warnings, Darius. You’re being repetitive, and truthfully, you sound like the one most worried about virtue.”

  He tried to find fault with her comment, but he lost the battle and chuckled. His lips curved, and his expression softened. She glimpsed the boy he must have been once sparkling in his eyes.

  “And you’re too daring for the attraction between us.” He stepped close once more and smoothed his fingers over her cheek. “Of course, we could simply plan to marry if you are discovered here.” Hunger flashed in his eyes. “That would certainly solve more than one problem.”

  “Marry?” A woman came from the kitchen, her voice raised to gain their attention. Darius spun around, shielding Janette with his body.

  “Now, see here. There will be no talk of marriage,” she insisted.

  The woman didn’t seem concerned about the way Darius was glaring at her or the fact that Hector was wringing his hands behind her. She was dressed head to toe in a traveling suit and radiated confidence. Her tone wasn’t hard, but that didn’t seem to lessen the impact of her words.

  “Who are you?” Darius demanded.

  She flipped her lapel over, revealing the gold pin of the Illuminist Order. “I am Galene.” Her voice was sultry and low. “I am Janette’s grandmother.”

  Four

  There was no way to deny it. Janette stared at the woman and saw her mother’s face, but with less strain and unhappiness. Why had she never noticed how unhappy her mother was?

  “What happened to my mother?” Janette demanded. Her throat had closed up, feeling as dry as a dirt road in summer.

  “I would enjoy knowing the answer to that myself.”

  Galene sent a coquettish look toward Darius before walking right past him and presenting him with only her back. “In my day…”

  She peered back at him while slowly drawing a hatpin out of her straw bonnet. “Even a rogue asked a lady to join him at the table before demanding personal details.” She lifted the hat off her head and stuck the foot-long steel pin into it with a zeal that wasn’t lost on her company. There was as much warning in her eyes as Darius was so fond of employing. Janette fought the urge to laugh.

  Galene extended the hat, and Hector took it from her instantly. She rewarded him with a flutter of eyelashes and a soft smile. The butler left the kitchen with reddened cheeks.

  “Did you also enter homes without invitation?” Darius inquired while extending his hand toward the forgotten breakfast service.

  “I have done many things that shall remain none of your concern, Guardian Lawley.” She looked at a chair, and Darius reached for the back of it with a short grunt. Janette lost her composure and laughed at the picture of frustration he presented.

  “Delightful,” Darius groused before pulling back a chair for Janette since she was still standing.

  “Oh, but it is very delightful to hear my granddaughter discarding some of the stiff nonsense her father insisted on feeding her during her childhood.”

  Darius sat down hard. “Why wasn’t she raised within the Order?”

  Galene traced the delicate handle of a china coffee cup, her expression darkening. “I suppose you shall discover the truth soon enough.”

  She slowly took a sip of coffee, which felt like it took an hour as Janette waited to hear the reason behind her mother’s last instruction to her.

  The coffee cup was placed back onto its saucer before Galene spoke again. “My daughter passed the exam early.” Unmistakable pride lit her eyes. “But alas, she was not
a Pure Spirit. That blood comes from my mother.”

  “Four generations back?” Janette interrupted, anxiety shredding her composure.

  “Yes,” Galene answered quickly to cut off Darius.

  “But you still haven’t explained how your daughter came to be wed outside the Order,” Darius asked.

  Galene abandoned her charming demeanor. The woman transformed into a formidable person instantly. She faced off with Darius as though she believed herself his equal—which, as far as the Illuminists were concerned, she was; her gender was no longer a deciding factor when it came to judging her.

  “She was accused of treason,” Galene delivered softly.

  A muscle on the side of Darius’s cheek twitched.

  “The charges were never decided upon,” she quickly added.

  “Which would have happened only if you had no way of proving her innocence,” he snapped back. His expression was unbendable. There was a core of nobility in him that she couldn’t help but admire, even if it was frustrating.

  Galene drew in a deep breath. “True, but the important matter now is my granddaughter’s future.” A shadow of pain passed through her eyes, but she shook it off quickly. “I am here to take Janette in hand, and gladly so.”

  Galene stood. Now she was all business and intent on having her way without charming it from Darius. It was fascinating. Janette felt her yearning to join the Illuminist Order growing stronger with each passing second. Equality—she craved it.

  “What manner of protection can you offer her?” Darius demanded. He was on his feet the moment her grandmother rose. “If the Helikeians find her, I doubt they will be so careless in allowing us the opportunity to steal her away again.”

  “Which is an excellent reason for her to be removed from this area,” Galene countered.

  “Not to a blood relative’s care. How did you know where to find her?”

  Hector was suddenly behind Janette, grasping her arm to pull her away from Galene.

  “My daughter told me Howard had sent her to the country and of the events that led to his decision to send Janette to the clinic,” Galene answered without hesitation, proving once again that she considered herself on equal footing with Darius. “I slept in my carriage to make sure I arrived as soon as possible because I knew in my heart it had to have something to do with the Order. I’ve often hoped Janette would prove to be a Pure Spirit.”