Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H. Burke (ebook reader browser txt) 📗

“For you, I can manage anything.” She slipped off the counter. “I think I’ll go fuss in front of the mirror for a bit.”

Ellis laughed.

Nyssa cast one last glance around the shop. Her heart sank to her stomach. Across the street stood the red-haired woman, sweat streaming down her face in the San Azulan sun. Nyssa opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind. Let O’Hara watch me. I’m safe here. She’s not going to ruin my evening with Ellis.

Chapter Two

Nyssa smoothed the golden velvet of her skirts. Her hands glided over the fabric, so different from the sturdy clothes she was used to.

“You look lovely,” Ellis assured her as they sat side by side in the hired steam car. Ellis wore a black suit and bow tie, and a top hat sat on his lap. For once he looked every bit the son of wealth he pretended not to be. In the front seat, the driver stared forward, giving the illusion of privacy even though the thin pane of glass between driver and passengers probably wasn’t soundproof. The sky over the houses glowed orange in the sunset.

“I always feel out of place at fancy restaurants. I mean, I love the food and the conversation with you, but I can’t help thinking people are looking down their noses at me.” Nyssa touched her hair. She’d done her best to corral it into a fashionable updo, but unruly strands were already popping out like springs from a busted clock.

“It’s all in your head.” Ellis stroked her wrist. “Trust me. I don’t want to be gawked at any more than you do. Especially tonight.”

The car slowed in front of the restaurant. The driver parked beside the globe-like lights, and a valet hurried to open the door for Nyssa. She thanked him and stood on the curb to wait for Ellis.

Ellis took a briefcase from the steam car’s floor and passed it to Nyssa. She flipped a switch on the side. It unfolded in a whir of cogs and gears before forming into his chair while the valet stood back and gaped.

Nyssa smiled. Ellis certainly has a way of drawing attention to himself, whether he means to or not.

She took his hand, and they continued to the restaurant.

A wide glass door revolved in front of the entry. Nyssa entered and had to brace herself when the floor moved beneath her feet. Ellis chuckled as the conveyor belt-like floor spun them around then deposited them in the restaurant’s foyer. A crystal chandelier hung overhead, sending tiny dots of light over Nyssa’s skin.

A slender man with a thin mustache glanced up from a podium. Tropical shrubbery crowded the room, gleaming green. Nyssa suspected they were fake, coated with wax for shine, but didn’t want to appear naive in examining them too closely.

“May I help you?” the host asked.

“Reservations for Cormac.” In spite of his willingness to be a Dalhart again, Ellis had apparently made the reservations with his alias.

The host checked a black leather book then nodded. “Right this way, sir.”

Nyssa and Ellis followed the man into a dazzling dining room.

White linen reflected the light from the chandeliers. Everywhere she looked was the glint of silver or the sparkle of crystal. A waitress guided a clockwork dessert cart with glass domes covering chocolate delicacies. Men and women in elegant evening attire dined at round tables throughout the floor, speaking in hushed tones quieter than the clink of their glassware.

The host guided them to a corner table then beckoned a waiter in black tails to remove a chair so Ellis could fit. Nyssa took her seat and folded her hands in her lap. The host departed, and another waiter swept in with menus.

“Would you like to start with something to drink? We have an excellent wine selection.”

“Thank you, but I don’t drink,” Nyssa said.

“Even tonight?” Ellis tilted his head. “I was thinking of ordering some champagne.”

Nyssa hesitated. To her, alcohol summoned pictures of drunken men, rowdy and pungent, in smoky taverns and filthy alleyways. Champagne did sound glamorous, though. I can’t always be a stick in the mud.

“I suppose one glass won’t hurt.”

“Excellent.” The waiter beamed. “I will be right back.” With a bow, he left them alone.

“It’s nice to see you trying new things.” Ellis reached across the table.

She slipped her hand into his. “I want tonight to be special.”

“It will be.” He gazed at her, his eyes softening, and a strange, gentle smile on his lips. “You look so beautiful.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Thank you. You do, too … I mean, handsome …” She cleared her throat. “That’s corny, isn’t it?”

“Not at all.” He squeezed her fingers. “You know we’ve been together almost a year now?”

“I guess we have. It’s odd. On one hand it feels like it was only yesterday. On the other, life with you is so familiar now, like I’ve always lived this way.”

He smiled until wrinkles creased the corners of his eyes.

Warmth crept through her. Shock me, I could stare into his eyes forever.

“I made you something.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a box about the size of a book.

She took off the lid. Inside rested an object like a compact mirror, but with a dial marked with numbers on the front. Her throat tightened. “It looks a bit like the RAM from when you … from when we met.”

“It’s partially inspired by the remote access module. I call it a handheld radio … HR, since I know how much you like abbreviations.” He drew an identical item from his other pocket. “Instead of communicating with the computer system in Dalhart Manor, however, these speak directly to each other. Not a long range, about five miles, but on San Azula we’re rarely that far apart.” He tapped the dial on his. “You’ll need to turn this to the correct number to open it. That’s so only the two of us can use them. Think you can guess what I