Viridis - A Steampunk Romance by Calista Taylor

secrets only couples
could share— displays one would never see in public anywhere else.
In another few hours, William suspected there wouldn’t be an empty
table to be had, and not for the first time, he envied Phoebe her
business sense.
    Phoebe greeted him with a genuine smile and a
welcome, but he could see the tension around her eyes and mouth as
she escorted him to an empty table, taking a seat across from
him.
    “Is it Lilly? Have you found her?”
    “I wish I had news for you, but I have not been able
to find her, though my constable is still looking. I did speak to
her sister, Anne. She has not seen her since Lord Hawthorne’s
murder, though it appears Lilly took what moneys they had saved,
and has likely fled or gone into hiding.”
    Phoebe’s forehead lined with worry. “Her poor sister
must be beside herself. I only wish there were something I could do
to help.”
    “There may very well be. I’m afraid I must once
again ask for your help. In fact, it is truly Mr. Elliott with whom
I wish to speak, and was hoping you might aid me in my quest. Oddly
enough I’ve had little luck finding his residence.”
    A sly smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Ah,
yes. I’m afraid Mr. Elliott prefers to keep his home and workroom a
bit of a secret. Not that I can really blame him, when you take
into consideration his tinkerings. If you do not mind waiting, I
believe he’ll be here soon enough.” She stood, and then said, “In
the mean time, I do hope you’ll accept my offer of food and drink.
I’ll send Seth to your table as soon he arrives.”
    “Thank you.”

Chapter Fifteen
     
    With the front of the house now full, Phoebe
wandered into The Sanctorum to make sure all was well with her best
customers. She mingled for a while, taking the time to chat with a
coy smile and kind words.
    She was just about to slip down the hallway to her
office when Lord Victor Fenwick’s voice cut through the din of the
club, freezing Phoebe to the spot. “Ah, there you are, my
dear.”
    Her back stiffened, but she managed to force a
pleasant smile before turning to meet him. “Lord Fenwick, how nice
to see you here. I do trust you’re having yourself a pleasant
evening?”
    His gaze shifted to mask his disappointment in her
clipped tone. “My dear, I thought by now we’d be past such
formalities and you’d be comfortable enough to address me by my
given name.” He took a step closer, taking Phoebe’s hand in his and
bringing it to his lips.
    “Yes, Victor, of course.” Though her jaw clenched
with annoyance, her gut rolled with uneasiness.
    Victor was the last person she wanted to deal with,
however, it would be a grave mistake to slight him in any way.
Spending so much time at the club, she heard the rumors, and saw
the wide berth and feared respect the other men gave him. He was
powerful enough to make anyone’s life miserable, and vindictive
enough to do it without a second thought.
    “Though a formal invitation will be sent, I wanted
to ask you myself. Would you do me the great honor of attending the
gala I will be hosting at my home? It would not be the same without
your beauty gracing the event.” He brushed the back of his hand
down her cheek, and Phoebe felt a tide of heat rise to her face. He
had some audacity to take such liberties with her.
    Phoebe took a step back, away from his touch.
“You’ll need to forgive me, but I’m afraid I’ll not be able to
attend. Things are rather busy here and I’m not able to get away
much.”
    “Nonsense! I insist.” He took another step towards
her so that Phoebe was forced to take a step back, coming up
against the wall as he loomed over her.
    Just then, Seth stepped up to her side, his eyes
gleaming with a barely contained fury, his hands clenched into
fists. “Phoebe, is there a problem here?”
    “Mr. Elliott. How nice of you to join us.” Victor
spoke through clenched teeth and then turned back to Phoebe,
ignoring Seth altogether. “It will not be