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

doing here?”
    She immediately recognized the voice, and quickly
steeled her resolve before turning to face him. “Seth.”
    He closed the distance between them, grabbing her by
the arm as though to lead her away. As she struggled to free
herself from Seth’s grasp, Samuel rushed over to help her, looking
ready to plant a knife between Seth’s ribs. She placed a
restraining hand on his shoulder. “Samuel, it’s all right. He’s a
friend.”
    “He may not wanna be grabbing ye like that, if
that’s the case.” Samuel stood his ground, despite the fact Seth
was twice as wide in the shoulders and had a generous six inches
height on him.
    “I mean the lady no harm, lad.” Seth let go of her
arm. “I was just worried about her being out here on her own.”
    “Well, she ain’t on her own, is she?” Samuel asked,
jutting out his chin.
    “Samuel, I should be fine getting a coach here.
Thank you so much for escorting me, and please be sure to let Mrs.
Farthing know you delivered me safely.” Phoebe could see he didn’t
want to leave, but knew he had no choice, having just been
dismissed.
    “Right, then. I’ll be on my way.” He took a few
steps back, throwing a final threatening glare at Seth before
turning to go.
    Phoebe watched his retreating back as he ducked down
the alley— only to see his face peek out from around the corner to
make sure she came to no harm. But once Samuel had disappeared from
view, Seth grasped her elbow once again, moving her briskly down
the road.
    “I’ll ask ye again, Phoebe. What the hell are ye
doing here, and after dark, no less? Are ye trying to get yerself
killed?” It was a sure sign he was upset when the Scots slipped
into his voice.
    He picked up the pace as he interrogated her, and
she felt her temper rising exponentially with each passing second.
She tried to hold her ground and wrench free of his grasp, digging
her heels into the sidewalk, but it only resulted in her getting
yanked into his arms, as their struggles drew more than a few
glances from passersby.
    She cursed the gods for making her so small.
Pounding on his shoulder to try and get herself free, she debated
how wise it had been to keep Samuel from knifing him. “If you don’t
let go of me, I swear I’ll scream.”
    He whirled to face her, her arm still tight in his
grasp, his entire body shaking not only with anger, but worry.
“Damn it, Phoebe. Is this what ye’ve been getting up to while I was
gone? Trying to get yourself killed? Or worse? Ye’ve yet to tell me
what ye’re doing here.”
    Though concern flooded his handsome face, darkening
his normally bright eyes, she could not get past his demanding
tone. For days, weeks, months, she had dreamed of him coming back
to her, and yet now that he was here, his possessiveness did
nothing but anger her. “I’ve yet to tell you because I don’t see
how that’s any of your business— not now and certainly not while
you were away. Let me remind you, I answer to no one but
myself.”
    Phoebe watched his face fall under the impact of her
words, and had a pang of regret. He turned away from her without a
word and hailed them a coach to Viridis.
    ***
    They rode in strained silence, Phoebe’s anger
warring with her heart and guilt. She wanted nothing more than to
have him pull her into his arms and reassure her that they would
find a way to make things work between them. Yet her pride kept her
sitting stubbornly stiff at his side.
    They found Gabriel in the theatre, bantering with
customers while effortlessly running the front of the house. But
when Gabriel spotted Phoebe, his gregarious smile turned into a
frown of concern. “Phoebe, go home. You look exhausted, and I’m
managing here just fine.” Ignoring Phoebe’s protests, Gabriel
turned to Seth for help. “Seth, please talk some sense into her.
She’s the most stubborn woman I’ve ever come across.”
    Seth took her hand in his, knowing she could not
pull away without alerting Gabriel that