Read A Matter of Temperance (The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance Book 1) for Free Online Page B

a hypnotic spell. No, I think now he is merely under some sort of enchantment by my femininity. His place in the world, I think, has not been such that he would have encountered many young ladies.
    “I say, Mr. Temperance, are you quite all right, sir?”
    “Uhb, … uhb, oh, Ma’am! Yes, Ma’am, I beg your pardon. Gee, I sure am glad you’re okay, Miss Plumtartt, I mean, Ma’am.”
    He seems an innocent young man, and he is very shy and bashful in my presence. My first impression of the young man now changes. Though he is thin, I detect a wiry strength in the young tradesman. Topped with sandy brown hair and hazel eyes, as soon as he speaks, he betrays his American origins. He desperately, if not wholly successfully, attempts to conduct himself with exaggerated courtesies. His clumsy etiquette is poorly formed, but sincere in its intentions. His accent is of a soft melodious tone that I infer he developed in the Southern regions of our former colonies. Mr. Temperance is familiar with my sad story through the libelous newspaper account from recent editions, but I must know his!
    “How were you able to see what others could not? Until that time, it was my impression that these horrors were invisible to all but me. Your pistol shots were spot on the creature’s head.”
    “Oh! It was because of my ‘Green Beauties,’ Miss Plumtartt, Ma’am! These are a specialized set of goggles of my own design.”
    The young man is suddenly very excited and animated. He forgets his quaint exaggerated manners as he eagerly describes the inventions of which he is so proud.
    “I was having a stroll when I heard you call out. I reckon I just responded without really thinking. I used my ‘Beauties’ to find you. When I cranked ’em up, that big ol’ worm shone out like an emerald lantern. Last year I built a pair of goggles for your father, the ‘Elemental Protectors.’”
    “Indeed, so you are that Ichabod Temperance. How marvelous! The goggles you built for my father were quite extraordinary. How fortuitous for you to be at hand and that the ability to see these other worldly terrors was then realized in these, your latest fantastic invention, Mr. Temperance.”
    “Aw, shucks, it was quite by accident, actually, Ma’am.” He looks down, in a self-conscious, modest, manner. I detect his booted toe to be tracing circles under the table. “Gee whiz, I’m just happy you are okay, Miss Plumtartt, Ma’am.”
    He flushes with a crimson blush! How sweet! I hope that I am not blushing as well, for now that he is becoming more relaxed, so too does he reveal himself as an attractive young gentleman, of sorts.
    Now is no time for indulgence in matters of the heart. Our lives - and perhaps the lives of countless others - are at risk.
    I fill in the chilling details of my story, beginning with father’s laboratory and the tragedies suffered there, the factory shutdowns, and the attacks upon my own person. We are in agreement that the danger is growing. Indeed, it is probably growing exponentially by the day. Mr. Temperance is determined to assist me, but I am loath to put this impetuous young man in danger.
    It is painfully evident to us both that the problem is bigger than just ourselves: England Herself is in peril.
    I reluctantly accept his help.
    The first order of business I think is to visit one of father’s closest confidantes. I require knowledgeable guidance.
    “Yes Ma’am, Miss Plumtartt Ma'am, seeking wise council and advice is always a good idea, but if you don’t mind, I've got a little errand I’d like to run first.”

Chapter 15 - Chemysts.
    Ichabod
    An idea occurs to me. Remembering how my pistol and knife failed, I do not want to find myself in such a predicament again, for I have a feeling I am not done with the vile, unwelcome visitor varmints. I used a bit of the monster against itself to defeat it. I want to find a way of doing that again.
    The city of London is as heavily populated with those affected by