Steamlust Read Online Free PDF

light she realized it was coming from inside the huge metal construction. Her breath caught as her chin lifted to take in the outline of the immense machine. Mine . Her pride swelled. How she had pored over drawings of this creation, this beautiful machine. Inspired by her research on insects, she had imagined a machine that would emulate their ability to react, to leap, to track and to hunt. And here it was—part spider, part praying mantis, engineered in metal and powered by combustion engine.
    The pod-like body was designed to rise from the ground on eight legs, strong but spindly, each leg made invincible by internal springs that provided enormous flexibility. She wrapped
her hand around one of the legs, her emotions running high. It had been a fanciful artistic creation, but seeing it constructed in solid metal took her breath away. Awestruck, she made her way around the machine. At the side she heard the low throb of the combustion engine. She ran her hand along the underbelly and felt its heat. Smiling fondly, she felt as if she had been reunited with long-lost kin. She’d come there angry, possessive and thwarted, and yet seeing her design realized as a complete construction made her hands tremble with excitement.
    At the rear she found a metal ladder that dropped from the vessel to the ground. She hitched her skirts and clambered up. Cautiously, she opened the hatch. Inside it was gloomy but toward the front of the pod an oil lamp stood on a brass surface, giving out a warm, inviting light. She paused, still wary, but heard no sound other than the low rumble of the combustion engine in dormant mode. Unable to resist, she climbed inside.
    Nothing could have prepared her for the beauty of the interior. Where solid sheets of sturdy welded metal characterized the exterior, inside it was all gleaming brass dials and copper pipes. The construction was immaculate and finished to a high standard. She stepped over to the control panel and ran her fingers along the casement. She was so fascinated that she did not sense the human presence behind her until it was too late. When she did she tensed and turned on her heel.
    The man rose from a seat in the darkness beyond the hatch.
    Her hand went to the pommel of her sword.
    “What have we here,” the man drawled, “a thief in the night who dares to touch my precious creation?”
    The statement was meant to provoke, she knew that. Nevertheless her anger flared. “I am no thief.” She drew her sword, pointing it around the gleaming interior of the Daedalus. “What is this, if not theft of my design?”

    He laughed softly.
    She assumed an en garde position, challenging him.
    He stepped into the fall of light. Built tall and large, he towered over her. She cast an eye over his greatcoat and polished knee-length boots, taking in the fitted breeches and open necked shirt beneath. His dark hair fell loosely to his shoulders and his eyes were shadowed under drawn-down brows. Stubble marked his jaw. The rugged build of his features looked starker still in the half-light. The sight of him made her will strong and her legs weak.
    “Thief!” she declared.
    He moved swiftly, his sword out and clashing against hers. “And you?” he responded, with amusement. “Lurking on the marshes in the midnight hours, like a common smuggler.” With consummate skill he traded thrusts and parries with her, his blade ringing against hers.
    Her heart raced wildly, but gritty determination to equal him drove her on.
    He nodded approvingly at her maneuvers. “I have to admit your fencing has improved somewhat since our last meeting, my dear.”
    Nina smiled. She had been taking lessons. However his compliment distracted her and before she could draw breath he knocked the sword from her hand. Cursing, she glared at him. His blade flashed again, slicing the fabric of her bodice between her breasts.
    Furious, she backed away and clutched her hands to the polished brass panel behind her.