The Girl with the Windup Heart (The Steampunk Chronicles) by Kady Cross

Author:Kady Cross [Cross, Kady]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Mila met the rest of Mrs. Rhodes’s boarders the following morning. All of the girls were Pick-a-dilly performers, some of whom she had actually seen perform when she attended the circus with Jack. There was Sasha, the tightrope walker, Marissa and Gina, who flew high above the audience on the trapeze, Lizzie, who did dangerous and amazing things with fire, and Millie and Henrietta—the twins.

The twins were perhaps the most amazing to Mila. They were pretty girls, both with dark hair and eyes, but they were literally joined at the hip. The circus called them the Gemini Sisters and they did things like juggling and playing instruments where the entire act depended on their cooperation and timing.

“Our entire lives have been about learning to work together,” Henrietta told her as she helped herself to another scone, and took one for her sister, as well. “It’s not really all that difficult to do what we do.”

“We know each other so well, it’s fairly simple to predict our behavior and actions,” Millie added as she slathered strawberry jam on the scones she sliced into halves. She set two halves on her sister’s plate.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Mila replied, and she meant it. She smiled at the table full of girls. “I’m so envious of each of you for having such exciting employment.”

Gina, a gorgeous girl with large blue eyes and tanned skin, made a scoffing noise as she poured herself a cup of coffee from the silver pot on the table. “Yes, it’s so exciting to risk our lives for the enjoyment of others.”

Helping herself to some eggs, Mila looked at her. “Is there something else you’d rather do?”

The girl seemed surprised by the question. “Of course not.”

That drew laughter from the rest of the table. Mila smiled, not quite certain she understood the joke.

“What do you do, Mila?” Lizzie asked as she slathered a thick coating of soft butter on a piece of toast.

“I don’t know,” she replied honestly. “I suppose that’s why I’m here. To find out what I’m good at.”

Marissa, a short but strong blonde, raised a brow. “But how do you pay the rent?”

Gina elbowed her. “That’s none of your business.”

“I have a little money,” Mila replied. She didn’t know exactly why, but she knew it was important not to say how much she actually had. It had been given to her for nothing, and these girls worked hard for every penny. Plus, then she’d have to explain about Jack, and she didn’t want to talk about him. Didn’t even want to think about him. It was bad enough that she’d dreamed of him the entire night.

“Excuse Sissy, Mila,” Lizzie said. “She likes to know everything about every person she meets.”

Marissa looked chagrined. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

Mila smiled at the girl and accepted Henrietta’s offer of more coffee. She tried not to stare as Henrietta managed the coffee pot while her attached sister added cream and sugar. They managed to avoid collision despite how close their hands and arms often came.

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