He swallowed hard. “I don’t miss my old life anymore. It never felt like home, and I’ve no desire to go back.”
“I’ve a desire to go berserker on everyone who has ever hurt you,” she muttered. “Out of respect, I’ll spare your mother my sword… but she won’t escape receiving a piece of my mind.”
“She’s old now. It’s been decades. We’re strangers to each other.” He shrugged.
“Is that why you live alone, and pretend to enjoy the seclusion?” Elizabeth asked softly. “Because loneliness is easier than being rejected by someone you care about?”
19
Stephen stared at Elizabeth, his throat thick. How could she guess—
“Please,” he managed. “Let’s talk about something else.”
She gazed at him for a long moment, then nodded. “More tea.”
Briskly, she plucked his cup from its saucer and placed it back into the machine, then set about arranging all the pulleys and wheels and trapdoors and dominoes and other paraphernalia until the device was once again ready to dispense milk.
She pressed the correct lever, then settled into her seat with a smile. “Where were we?”
“You reset the tea machine?” he asked in disbelief.
“You always do it. I thought it was time I did my part.”
“But… how did youknowyour part? No one has ever been able to reset any of my machines. Not even when I was a child, and still learning how to make them.”
“I watched you do it,” she replied. “Isn’t that what I just said? I’ve witnessed you put your devices in order dozens of time. Including a few minutes ago.”
“Yes, of course I saw you were here, but…”
But I didn’t know you were watching.Not like that. Paying attention to how his creations worked. To howheworked. Figuring him out. Putting things in order. Even if that order was messy and chaotic and absurd.
“I would have taken over sooner, but I was afraid I’d get it wrong,” she admitted. “Accidentally put whiskey into your tea, or launch a firestorm of grenades. Keeping up with someone so clever isn’t always simple, but I do enjoy a challenge.”
He stared at her in wonder. She didn’t think him a peculiar, mathematics-obsessed tinker. Well, maybe she did, but she didn’t view it as abadthing. The opposite. She played along with him. Wanted him to be one hundred percent Stephen. The idea was dizzying.
“Come with me,” he said, and put down his tea.
She rose from her chair at once. “Where are we going?”
“My laboratory. I was going to wait to show you what I’ve been working on for your next family members, but… Maybe you would like to help me design the mechanism?”
Her eyes shone. “I would be honored.”
He gave her a quick kiss on the lips because he couldn’t help himself, then wrapped her fingers about his arm and led her to the Great Hall, where a new multi-levered wooden pyramid reached toward the sky.
She took in the new machine with interest. “Does this one also break down to fit inside a single trunk?”
“All of the keepsake devices will,” he confirmed.
“Who is this one for?”
“I’ll give you a clue. This side has a lever that will raise up to four illuminated manuscripts for reading, then automatically store them back inside, away from dust and sunlight. There’s also a mechanical arm for reaching books on high shelves, and a pistol that fires marbles.”
Elizabeth clapped her hands. “Philippa! What else does it do?”
“This side sorts and retrieves wigs and associated accessories in predetermined patterns. For example, if your sibling typically requires A, B, and C for a certain disguise, and C, D, and E foranother, each button can be programmed to select the relevant items, which will be delivered on this tray.”
“Tommy will adore it.” She feigned a swoon. “Are you certain you need me for anything?”
