When Mrs. Mason saw us in her family's shop purchasing a new pocket watch, she insisted we join them for tea. I readily agreed, grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with old family friends. Our relationship had become strained since they learned of my magical ability. I didn't blame them for wanting to distance themselves from me—or for trying to keep Catherine away. They were afraid The Watchmaker's Guild would look unkindly on the friendship and somehow punish Mr. Mason. Now that the guild and its master, Mr. Abercombie, admitted to knowing about my magic, the threat wasn't so pertinent. Of course, it helped that I declared I wasn't interested in setting up a shop.
Or so I thought.
"What will happen to the shop now that Hardacre has proven to be a fraudster?" Mr. Mason asked after pleasantries had been exchanged and tea poured.
"Papa," Catherine hissed. "Let India and Matt enjoy their tea." My friend had joined us along with her parents, leaving her brothers to keep shop.
"It's all right," I said. "I don't mind the questions. I know you're worried, Mr. Mason, so let me assure you that I have no intentions of fixing or selling timepieces even if the shop returns to my family."
"India doesn't yet have possession of the premises anyway," Matt added. "The process will need to pass through the courts to determine who it belongs to."
"It'll be an injustice if Eddie keeps it," Catherine bit off. "Or whatever his real name is. I still cannot believe the lengths he went to for revenge on Chronos, or that we all fell for his lies."
"Nor can I," I muttered.
"He was very good," Matt said gently. "Everyone was taken in."
"It's not just his duplicity working in your favor though, is it?" Mr. Mason said. "It's the fact that your father's will is invalid because he died before your grandfather, who is very much alive." He looked at me as if I were to blame for that, when I'd only learned about Chronos recently too.
"Papa!" Catherine lowered her cup to the saucer with a clank and glared at her father. I liked that she'd developed a spine where her parents were concerned, although I shouldn't be surprised. She visited me several times without their knowledge. She'd grown braver and smarter in recent weeks.
"Mr. Mason," his wife snapped. "Must you talk of death? India and Mr. Glass are our guests."
"It is another thing in my favor," I told Mr. Mason. "Chronos wrote a new will while he was here, leaving the shop to me, so there is that, too, should he pass away. The case is in the hands of lawyers now, so we can only wait for a judge's verdict."
"But your grandfather is not dead," Mr. Mason said. "So rightfully he still owns it, which means you must manage it, India."
"He told me I can do what I want with it. I will probably lease the premises," I said, wanting to assure him that I wasn't a threat to his family business. I was, after all, the only known timepiece magician in the city, so it made sense that he would seek that affirmation. "It may not even be to anyone in the watch and clock trade. If that turns out to be the situation, I'd like to offer you first right of purchase to any stock at a discounted rate, since we are good friends."
"I…I…" Mr. Mason blinked at me then turned to Matt.
"Don't look at me, sir," Matt said. "Any business dealings involving India's property have to go through her. She'll have the use of my lawyer, of course, if she wishes."
"Good," Mrs. Mason declared. "That's settled. India, can you assist me in the kitchen for a moment? You stay, Catherine," she added when her daughter rose.
I followed Mrs. Mason into the kitchen where her maid was slicing carrots for the evening meal. Mrs. Mason asked her to check on the laundry in the copper in the rear courtyard. Once she was gone, Mrs. Mason turned to me.
"I know you and Catherine have been seeing one another these past weeks," she said, "despite our express wishes that she avoid you."
I opened my mouth to protest, but found I couldn't lie, so closed it again.
"That isn't important," she went on. "Perhaps it wasn't fair of us to ask it of either of you. Anyway, it's not why I wanted to speak to you." She glanced at the door and the corridor beyond. "Does Catherine have a paramour?"
Her question was so unexpected that it took a moment for my wits to return. "No," I said with certainty. "She doesn't."
It was not a lie. While Cyclops and Catherine liked one another, Cyclops refused to explore their feelings and see if they could develop into something deeper. It wasn't so much his color that worried him—although it probably played a factor for him, though not for Catherine—but more his past in America. A powerful and wealthy mine owner was hunting him after Cyclops told the authorities how his employer used cheap materials, causing a mine to collapse and kill several miners. The hunt had meant a hard life for Cyclops, constantly on the run and in hiding. Matt and the others had helped him to a certain extent, but it was still no life to take a woman back to. Cyclops was adamant that he would return home, however, along with Willie, Duke and Matt.
A lump rose in my throat at the thought of them leaving. It wasn't just Matt I would miss but all of them. They'd carved out a place in my heart that would be difficult to fill when they left. The space reserved for Matt was the biggest.
"Then what is upsetting her of late?" Mrs. Mason asked. "She's so listless, ever since she ended her liaison with Mr. Wilcox. I do wish she had not cast him aside."
"They were not suited," I said. "He was much too staid for her. Catherine is lively and adventurous, and she requires a husband who will take her places, not tie her by the apron strings to the kitchen."
Mrs. Mason choked and pressed her own apron to her lips. I instantly regretted my insensitivity. Mrs. Mason was a wonderful wife and mother. Her home was her sanctuary and her family was her entire life. She didn't understand Catherine's hankering for something different.
I squeezed her arm. "You've brought up a spirited young woman who is kind, competent, and full of energy. You should be very proud, Mrs. Mason. Catherine is a wonderful person, thanks to the fine example you and Mr. Mason have set."
She dabbed the corner of her eye with her apron. "Yet she will leave me. I know she will. If not soon, then one day."
"We must all leave our parents eventually."
"You did not. You never abandoned Eliot. You were a good daughter, India, and you're a good girl still. I wish Catherine was more like you, more content with her lot in life instead of always looking for more."