The Clockwork Heart Read online

  "Bin it," Libby said to the automaton.

  Helen twisted her fingers together. "I can replace it."

  Libby shrugged. "Don't worry about it."

  Helen gazed at Libby, taking in her toned figure. Libby wore a ruffled cotton skirt that ended just above her knee and scooped down at the back framing Libby's legs. She wore a cream shirt with a tailored vest that looked like it was full of pockets. Helen hadn't seen Libby wear anything like this before, something that was quite stylish in her own unique sense. Something was definitely going on.

  "Are you going out?" asked Helen. I hope there isn't someone else. She wiped her palms on her cotton walking dress.

  "I have to go into Bridgewater for business," said Libby.

  "Oh." Helen saw her chance to spend more time with Libby. "Can I come along?"

  "No." Libby's tone was sharp.

  "I was only asking," Helen said defensively.

  "I've got some errands to run you'll be bored." Libby's forehead wrinkled.

  "I won't be a bother," insisted Helen. "The little town has some adorable shops and it's quicker than going all the way into Adelaide."

  Libby's facial expression softened. She sighed. "I don't think it's a good idea."

  "I can look after myself, remember." Helen fluttered her eyes, trying to use her feminine charms to sway Libby.

  "I'm glad you are enjoying the conservatory. This is one of my favourite spots in the house, but I don't have the time to come here as much as I like." Libby changed the subject abruptly.

  Helen's heart sunk with disappointment. Libby hadn't noticed her attempt at flirting with her. This wasn't how she'd imagined a conversation with Libby would go. She blushed. Usually her daydreams ended up with them both in bed. Libby pulled a rose from the vase on the table and took a deep breath. Helen immediately wished she was that rose. I've got to stop thinking like this. Or get a new job.

  "I love the smell of roses." Libby sat back in her chair setting the rose on the table.

  Helen couldn't stop looking at Libby. What is she doing here? No I don't care. Her pulse increased with hope. But I do care. How can I get her to agree to let me come with her into Bridgewater?

  "I don't normally see you around the house," said Helen.

  Libby sat up as if to leave. "Oh, sorry. Am I disturbing you?"

  In ways you don't seem to notice. Helen shook her head. "No, please stay. It will be lovely to have some company for a change."

  "Oh, I've been such a bad host. Please don't take it personally there's just been…" Libby stopped as the maid came into the room with breakfast. "I'm starving."

  I could give you a different sort of workout that wouldn't leave you hungry. Helen looked at the food as the automaton unloaded the silver serving tray: two bowls of fruit, yoghurt, a small jar of honey, an apple and rhubarb compote, and ice tea.

  "I bought enough for two." The automaton's voice was metallic and lifeless.

  "Excellent." Libby took a bowl of fruit. "Helen, I'm sure you will enjoy this." She poured two glasses of ice tea. "Ice tea is a must in this warmer climate."

  Helen looked at the brown liquid in the glass. "There are plenty of ways to drink tea, but that is certainly not one of them." A slice of lemon surfaced in the ice tea along with a mint leaf.

  "It's completely refreshing and will settle the nerves as good as any hot tea." She held out the glass to Helen. Condensation beaded on the outside. Helen felt a drop of sweat ease down her neck. It's not the weather that's making me hot. She took the glass hesitantly and took a sip.

  "Good isn't it." Libby drank her ice tea. "Freshly made with no sugar."

  Helen winced as the slightly bitter liquid went down her throat. "It could do with some sugar."

  "Oh, it's not that bad." Libby put down her glass then poured yoghurt over her fruit, followed by some honey. "Here, put some of this in." She pushed the small jar of honey towards Helen.

  Helen took Libby's advice before taking another sip. Cool sweetness slipped down her throat. It was much easier to drink like this. She smiled.

  "I think I've converted you."

  "Don't be so sure." Helen turned the glass in her hand, not wanting to admit that she enjoyed the sweetened drink. She like to keep some of the rituals she had grown up with in London, no matter how silly they might seem to others. "This might cool me down, but it is not the proper way to drink tea."

  Libby laughed. "It's nothing to do with being proper. It's about enjoyment and pleasure."

  Helen caught Libby's gaze. She held it, looking into Libby's dark eyes. A glimmer of naughtiness caught her attention. A shiver of pleasure ran down her spine. Maybe she has noticed me after all? But then Libby turned away and her hope of getting attention faded.

  Libby stood up. "I'll be in Bridgewater for a few hours. I'll see you at training tomorrow."

  "Wait." Helen stood. "I want to come with you. I mean… I have some things to do in Bridgewater too." She had nothing to do, but she didn't want to be waiting around here anymore. If she wanted to find out more about Libby, then she had to make sure that they were spending time together.

  Libby hesitated. "I'm not so sure it's a good idea."

  "Why? What could possibly happen in Bridgewater? Nothing happens here." She dropped her arms by her side in exasperation. Nothing happens.

  Libby pursed her lips together. "But still I think I should do my errands alone. I'll be quicker."

  "I won't be in your way. You can drop me off at the tea room and pick me up when you are ready."

  Libby paused, contemplating the option.

  "Just tell me what time to meet you. I won't be a bother to you."

  Libby sighed. "Fine you can come with me. But I won't be able to play host. You'll be on your own, and you better be ready to go when I pick you up, otherwise I will leave you behind."

  "That'll be fine." Helen would fit in with Libby's plans today if it meant she would find out what was distracting her.

  "Meet me out front in five minutes." Libby stood. "If you aren't there I won't wait for you."

  "I'll be there," said Helen. She watched Libby walk out of the room. The ruffles in her skirt moved gracefully with her hips. For a moment she forgot about going to get ready as she enjoyed the sight. Then Libby walked through the door, disappearing inside.

  Helen snapped into action. All she needed to grab was her handbag and then head out front to wait. There was no way she was going to be left behind.

  *~*~*

  "Am I going too fast for you?" asked Libby. She crunched up a gear in the steamcar.

  Helen gripped the side of the door, her face pale.

  "No," she squeaked as Libby took the corner too fast and the movement pushed her towards Libby.

  Libby wished Helen had remained back at the house. It was safer there. If Scarlett saw her in public she might end up a target. Libby didn't want anything happening to Helen. She was worried taking Helen with her into Bridgewater now Scarlett was around. Libby couldn't be sure that Scarlett wouldn't try and use Helen to get to her, especially if she thought they were a couple. Scarlett would stop at nothing to get back at Libby for escaping. She wants me chained and ready for her dark pleasures. Libby shivered. She didn't want Scarlett to tie up Helen like she had been. She pushed the horrifying memories to the back of her mind.

  "Driving helps me to relax." Libby pressed down on the accelerator.

  Helen screamed with her mouth closed, a high pitch scream that was a mix of delight and terror.

  Libby supressed a smile. She enjoyed the sounds coming from Helen. It was a nice distraction from the problem of what the hell was Scarlett doing in Bridgewater. Not hoping to rekindle anything I hope. The thought twisted sharply in her gut. There was nothing to rekindle, but Scarlett wasn't the type of women to hear that. The clockwork heart had turned Scarlett's own heart into a clockwork machine, cold and metallic and full of dark intentions. Libby remembered the smell of blood, the tightness of rope around her wrists. She pressed d
own harder on the accelerator.

  "Look out!" yelled Helen. Libby's vision focused just in time, and she turned the steering wheel, speeding around the bend. Helen screamed as they went too close to the edge of the hill.

  "Don't worry it's all under control." Libby gripped the steering wheel harder and kept moving at a fast speed. Wind from the open window tumbled her hair and she imagined the air taking away the memory she wanted to forget. Focus. She didn't want to hurt Helen. She glanced over at Helen and saw her skin looked sickly pale. "Are you all right?"

  Helen took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, and nodded her head. Her eyes were closed. She sat ridgid on the leather seat as if any sudden movement would cause her to break. Libby knew that look. "Sorry, I like to go fast."

  "Normally I wouldn't mind…" She inhaled quickly and held her breath.

  "You should've told me you got car sick." Libby took her foot off the accelerator. Then I really would've been firm about making you stay back at the house. "We're nearly there."

  Helen didn't answer.

  "Just look at the horizon."

  "There are only hills." Helen inhaled sharply.

  "You'll be all right." Libby spoke in a soothing voice. She turned the car into the main street of the Bridgewater and pulled the car to a stop with a jerk.

  Helen gasped and grabbed her stomach.

  "Sorry." Libby got out and rushed around to the passenger's side and opened the door. "The tea room inside have great Devonshire Tea." Libby helped Helen out of the car. I should've been more attentive and driven slower.

  "I'll be fine in a moment." Helen leaned heavily on Libby.

  "Oh, I hope I haven't stopped you from doing your errands in Bridgewater." Libby frowned unable to hide her concern for Helen. At least the tea room was a public place. Helen should be safe here for a few hours. It would be reckless of Scarlett to try anything when people were around. Besides it's me who Scarlett really wants. Libby's stomach knotted with doubt. There wasn't any other choice. She needed to go and check with her contacts to find more about Scarlett, she couldn't waste time taking Helen back to home. Helen will be fine here. She is an excellent teacher and she can handle herself in a fight if she needed to. The knot in Libby's stomach eased.

  Helen glanced at Libby and sighed. "No, it's fine."

  "I can do them for you if you like?" offered Libby.

  "No, no. I can come back into Bridgewater another time."

  Libby pushed open the door to the tea room and helped Helen to the nearest table. "At least it's cool in here."

  Helen nodded as Libby guided her to sit on a winged armchair. There were a dozen tables positioned around in the cosy room, surrounded by more armchairs. Persian rugs in rich reds and greens formed an intricate design covering the floor and Tiffany lamps glowed on each of the tables. A few customers sat relaxing with cups of tea and scones. Yes, she will be safer here instead of with me. A waitress came up with a glass of cool water and handed it to Helen. "Poor girl."

  Helen sipped at the water and then pressed the glass against her cheek.

  "You are looking better already." Libby didn't want to leave Helen, but she had to find Scarlett. If she wanted to keep ahead of her it was important she find out what Scarlett was up too sooner rather than later. "I'll be back in two hours."

  "I'll be here waiting," answered Helen.

  Without thinking, Libby kissed Helen on her forehead. "Rest up. Drink and eat whatever you like. I'll pay the bill."

  Libby's face flushed as she looked down on Helen. Colour was definitely coming back to her cheeks. Before she could further process what that meant, she rushed out of the tea house. She had enough complications in her life right now without having to handle an attraction to Helen.

  *~*~*

  Helen's forehead tingled. She kissed me. She smiled and moved the glass to her other cheek.

  "Here ya go miss." The waitress placed a pot of tea on the small round table next to the armchair. "Took the liberty of bringin' ya some scones. Load 'em up with some jam. That will make ya feel better."

  "Thank you," answered Helen in her crisp English accent. Eating was the last thing she wanted to do right now, so she sipped at the water. The queasiness slowly subsided.

  Helen rested back in the chair, closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. Not what I had hoped for. She cursed herself for getting ill and missing out on the chance to learn more about Libby. She inhaled slowly. The wave of dizziness eased some more and she began to feel almost back to normal.

  "What's a beautiful woman like you sitting here all alone?" asked a stranger.

  Helen looked up, surprised. "Just taking time to soak in the atmosphere."

  A lady dressed in a full skirt taffeta dress made of a swirl of bright purples and blues stood in front of her. "May I join you?"

  Helen's eyes focussed on the woman. She was well groomed, tall, and confident. The dress she wore was perfect for her slender figure and was of high fashion according to the mail orders Helen had been reading to pass the time. The woman's chocolate coloured hair was set in neat curls and adorned with flowers that matched the electric colours of her dress. She looked out of place in the small outskirts town of Bridgewater, but her presence made Helen think of London. She missed her home.

  A heart shaped pendant made from cogs and gears hung around the woman's neck. A shiver went down Helen's back.

  "Can I sit with you?" The lady asked again. Her voice was soothing.

  Helen wasn't sure if she was ready for conversation after the car ride. But then her eyes rested on the heart pendant. The woman smiled at her, filling Helen with friendly warmth that caused her to forget her misgivings.

  "Sure." Helen didn't want to sit alone waiting for Libby. Since she wasn't going to be with Libby, having some polite conversation might help to raise her spirit. "Tea is best drunk with another person."

  The woman sat down opposite Helen. "I agree."

  *~*~*

  Libby strode down the street back to her steamcar. She kicked a stone in front of her and watched it go flying across the street, narrowly missing a gentleman walking in the opposite direction. She turned away to avoid his glare. Her afternoon search hadn't resulted in her finding out anything about Scarlett. She hadn't spent much time in Bridgewater; it was easier to keep away from people after what had happened. She felt safer. But Bridgewater was still her home. This was her stamping ground and she was going to protect it from Scarlett.

  She walked past the pub, nearly doubled back to go in for a drink, but managed to keep walking. Helen is waiting for me. She'd been longer than two hours—more like four—which Libby knew was very impolite. But she'd had to wait for replies to her telegrams from her old contacts back when she'd been collecting artefacts. That had been a waste of time too.

  There's got to be a logical reason why she's here. Or maybe that letter wasn't from her? Libby guessed it could be possible that she had it wrong. But then who sent the letter? Libby's head pounded and she rubbed her temples to alleviate the ache. Leave it.

  Libby drove slowly back to the tea room, concentrating on her driving. She parked out front so Helen wouldn't have to walk far after the incident this morning. I should spend more time with her. A ruffle of brightly coloured skirts caught her eye, and a cold shiver slid down her back. Libby snapped her head to the right and saw someone well-dressed disappear down a side street.

  It's her. Libby jumped out of the car and ran after Scarlett. But when she got to the side street, no one was in sight. Her guard up, she walked down the street, looking into the windows, but found nothing. I swear that was her. She trusted her instincts, but now she wasn't so sure. Maybe I'm just tired. Too much training.

  Libby headed back to the tea room. She knew the real reason she was tired. The memory was dominating her dreams at night and she wasn't getting enough sleep. She took a deep breath as she stepped into the tea room, relieved to see Helen sitting in the same winged chair she had left her.

  Helen
shot her a cold stare. "Two hours?"

  Libby cleared her throat. "Sorry, but my errands took longer than I thought they would." She bit her tongue to stop herself from adding that Helen could've stayed at home. Libby was used to working alone and found it difficult to accommodate someone else. Even if that someone was a curvy woman who was more than capable of looking after herself, and someone that set a burning fire between her thighs. Libby sighed. "I tried to warn you. I'll make it up to you, how about a swim before dinner?"

  Helen narrowed her eyes.

  She's not going to be easily tempted. "I've got ice cream for dessert, honey ice cream, and a swim will be a great way to cool down. You'll enjoy it," said Libby.

  "I don't have a swimming costume," replied Helen.

  "Oh, don't worry about that. I swim naked…" Libby swallowed hard and lowered her voice. "Oh… I mean… well… if you don't mind…"

  Helen laughed nervously, her cheeks deepened in colour. "I will if you will." A cheeky glint in her eyes caused Libby to flush.

  "Oh, I didn't… know you liked…" She took a deep breath. "Of course." She smiled. She likes me. The thought helped to push away all the worries that had been consuming her since receiving the letter this morning. "I'm more than game." She added finding a new confidence flooding through her. She held out her hand. "Let's go."

  "Yes." Helen took Libby's hand. "But please drive slowly this time."

  "Very slowly." She smiled cheekily. "But you'll have to wait longer."

  Helen gasped in pretend shock. "I'm sure it will be worth it."

  *~*~*

  The drive back to the estate was slow. All Helen could think about was slipping into the cool water with Libby. She nearly told Libby to drive faster, but she didn't want to feel car sick again. That would ruin things. She had been waiting too long for a chance of starting something with Libby. Helen didn't want anything to get in the way of that finally happening. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

  The road curved around the edge of the hill and she glanced down. Her stomach flipped. She wound down the window, allowing the breeze to flow onto her face.