Goblins and Snowflakes by Melanie Karsak

Author:Melanie Karsak [Karsak, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Clockpunk Press
Published: 2018-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6: Of Clockwork Gnomes, Wind-Up Ducks, and Red Capes

As breakfast came to an end, I debated what to do. I really wanted to stay and talk to Archie, but every time I thought about Laura and Lizzie, I felt guilty. They were drowning in work. Shouldn’t I help them? But if I stayed, I could fan the flames under that mutual admiration. Wasn’t that important too? In the end, my sense of obligation to the sisters won out. As the others moved out of the dining room to the parlor, Uncle Horace surrounded by his friends and Archie busy with his grandfather’s associates, I sought my escape. I’d just go to town for a couple of hours and be back by afternoon tea. Afterward, I’d stay at Strawberry Hill for the night.

Avoiding even the servants, I slipped into the coatroom and donned my cape. Going unseen, I rushed from the house. Moving through the deep snow, trying with little success to follow the tracks cut into the snow by a sleigh, I headed back toward Twickenham. I’d barely stepped foot into the forest when I spotted the same merchant who’d been selling fruits and flowers waiting by the side of the road.

I sighed heavily.

“Miss Rossetti, come buy. Come buy.”

Not pausing, I moved quickly past him by. “I’ve told you, I don’t want anything you have to sell. Please, leave me alone.”

“Oh, but I have it this time. I have it. You see, everyone has something they want to buy.”

The man held out a small chest. I didn’t want to look, but now I was curious. I slowed my stride long enough to see what was inside the case.

Hagstones.

“Come buy,” the little man coaxed. “We have everything a person wants. Don’t you want to buy?”

“I…” I paused. “How much?”

“One bronze.”

“One bronze?”

“One bronze curl, that is,” he said, pointing to my chocolate-brown hair with his gloved hand.

My skin rose in gooseflesh. One didn’t have to linger around Strawberry Hill too long to become superstitious. While I hadn’t studied fairy lore, I had grown up on folktales. The little man’s proposal set my teeth on edge.

“No. I’m no fool, and I know what mischief one curl can cause. Try again.”

He laughed, a hissing sound that was vaguely inhuman.

“Smart little mechanical. Well then, I’ll take all the coins in your pouch.”

“No.”

“Then I guess my master was wrong. I guess these are not for you,” he said then clapped the lid on the chest shut.

Frowning, I pulled my money pouch from my belt. I removed some coins, taking out the money I needed for the things I had planned to purchase in town, then jangled the coin purse at the little man. “This or nothing. And this is an outstanding sum for a box of stones.”

“Indeed, indeed. Of course, they are not just any stones, are they?” the little man said then reached out for the bag.

I pulled my hand back.

“The box first.”

He laughed again, his voice a slick hiss. “Very well.” He handed the box to me.

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