Bitter Cold: A Steampunk Snow Queen (The Clockwork Republic Series Book 4) Read Online Free

mean she'd have to give up everything that made her happy -- most likely including Kit. While his parents were delighted he'd found a trade so young, her dabbling in alchemy was a source of constant consternation to her family. They expected her to be absorbed in the rules of etiquette and pay meticulous attention appearances. Instead, she was fascinated with bending the laws of science and couldn't possibly care less how she looked or what others thought of her.
    When obsessed with an idea for a new alchemical formulae, she'd neither see nor hear anything else, like a cab horse wearing blinders. Her failure to acknowledge his romantic gestures like the clockwork canary were exasperating, but hardly surprising.
    Oh, she'd squealed with delight when he'd given it to her, and wrapped him in a tight but all-too-brief embrace. But the knowing look, the understanding that it was a gift from a young man to the woman he admired, never came. He was just her Kit, the same Kit she'd grubbed in the garden with as a child, the same Kit who'd rubbed warmth back into her hands while calling her a silly goose when she'd nearly frozen herself.
    He was such a constant presence in her life, she couldn't see even him. At least, not as a suitor.
    He had to concede that, given the treatment she usually gave suitors, that might be a point in his favor. He was fairly sure she'd coated the last one's hat and jacket with an itching formulae, judging by how ferociously he'd been scratching as he stormed off. Kit's workshop was an excellent vantage point to see the results of one gentlemen after another having a very unsatisfactory visit with his neighbors.
    Midday sun poured through the pale green leaves and buds, hinting at the hope of a spring that still felt far away. He pulled off his coat and hung it over his other arm as a breeze ruffled his hair. He still intended to finish that proposal, and it would be best if he weren't soaked with sweat when he did. The path turned, meandering through a thick patch of cedar and pine. Their dark, muted green broke up the monotonous greys and browns of the landscape, which hadn't yet shifted from winter's palette to spring's.
    He frowned, wondering if he'd misinterpreted Greta's response to his romantic gestures. Maybe she'd been ignoring his intentions on purpose. What if she really didn't return his affections? He'd always believed she loved him, but what if she truly felt only friendship?
    While he didn't doubt she'd do whatever she thought was the kindest thing in such a situation, predicting exactly what Greta's mind would consider "the kindest thing" was a puzzle that didn't bear thinking about. She'd once decided the best way to help him get rid of a cold was to give him an alchemical tisane designed to make him sneeze continuously.
    "It'll clear your system faster!" she'd insisted. He'd declined her concoction, but the neighbor's cat must have licked up a bit of it after they'd poured it out. The poor creature never did nose around the laboratory after it finally recovered.
    Her odd reaction to his proposal attempt puzzled him, and admittedly wounded his pride. More importantly, it made him afraid for her. Being certain she wasn't rejecting him for another man was cold comfort. Especially when her parents were so determined to marry her off.
    The Singletons had inherited legacies from both sides of the family. Margaret Singleton was unfailingly sweet, if a bit exasperated. Jonah was something of a bear, though. Kit could never understand why he showed such little affection for his only daughter. Kit had no doubt the man would sell her to the highest bidder and consider himself lucky to be rid of her.
    ~*~
    She was beautiful, but she was so much more than that. He wanted her love, but he also wanted to protect her ability to be her own person. He couldn't imagine anyone else loving her as much as he did. He certainly didn't believe another man would bother getting to know her as well as he did. They