Read Steam Guardians 01 - A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious for Free Online Page A

just what happened when he forgot what ladies thought of him.
    ***
    The Brimmers’ home was impressive, and the lady of the house knew how to ensure her neighbors were talking about her party the next morning. The ballroom was lit with Illuminist lamps, the lack of smoke welcome. Servants kept the long buffet table looking as though no one had touched it, while butlers offered drinks in crystal goblets. But tension filled the guests as Illuminists were admitted.
    “I simply cannot believe it,” her father sputtered.
    Janette bit her lip to maintain her silence. Her father removed his spectacles, cleaned them with a handkerchief, and put them back on before squinting at the Illuminists standing so calmly inside the Brimmers’ home.
    “We should leave immediately,” he announced firmly.
    Janette’s mother gasped. “We will do nothing of the sort. Mr. Brimmer does plenty of business with you, and we cannot afford to upset his wife. She might well complain, and who knows how tender their relationship is? Appearances, dear, we must maintain appearances.”
    “Perhaps you’re correct, my dear,” her father grumbled. “I know little of how to deal with the sensitive side of women’s emotional natures. I much prefer our civilized union, but I understand there are many couples who embrace a more emotional condition. We shall stay.”
    Janette almost wished her father would order the carriage brought around.
    Coward.
    She didn’t care for just how true her inner voice was. Forcing a smile onto her lips, she called upon every ounce of self-discipline she had to look across the room at Darius Lawley.
    The man could look like a gentleman when he chose to, she noticed as she drew in a deep breath. But that didn’t ensure that he’d act like one.
    Is that a fact or a hope?
    She felt heat rise to her cheeks as her thoughts ran wild. All because of Darius Lawley, once again. He triggered something inside her, something she discovered she liked too much.
    She tried to focus on his attire to bore herself. He was dressed in a formal black overcoat and pants. His vest was the only garment setting him apart from the other guests. Instead of formal white silk, his was a robin’s-egg blue. He was accompanied by another man and a woman, both wearing their Illuminists pins proudly. Darius still wore the ear device, and there was more than one guest attempting to look at it without being caught staring.
    Oh no, not a one of them might commit the sin of looking curious about the Illuminists. Such an action was unforgivable among high society. Fools.
    The woman looked the most uncomfortable, as if the dress she wore was something she found cumbersome. It was very similar to Janette’s, with a fan-type front formed with smocking and a full skirt held out with a taffeta petticoat. She flipped her blond curls back when she felt them on her collarbones, but she’d pinned her gold Illuminist pin to the front of her dress to ensure no one missed it. For the moment, her dance card dangled from her wrist, no gentleman reaching for it.
    “Do you see who is here?” Janette asked as Sophia arrived.
    Sophia hurried up, her petticoat rustling from moving too quickly. An older lady turned and looked down her nose at them.
    Janette wrapped her fingers around her friend’s wrist—their hands hidden by the volume of their skirts—and tugged her down into a curtsy.
    “Good evening, Miss Garret.”
    “Ladies should never scamper like nursery-age children.” Miss Garret delivered the slight in a tone full of arrogance.
    Sophia tugged Janette away. “Sour old spinster.”
    “And you said I’d be the one getting us sent to the Highlands,” Janette whispered. “Be overheard saying things like that and we should go home to pack our trunks tonight.”
    “Go home? So early?”
    Janette gasped as Mrs. Brimmer turned around to peg them with a shocked look. “I simply will not hear of it. In fact, you two are exactly who I require at this moment. You