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Click here"But it's church-sanctioned, is it not? I see no reason to punish you for something that is perfectly legal, even if a bit uncommon or unusual."
Annette lowers her shoulders and takes a deep breath. She hadn't planned on disclosing that fact to Cordelia, but for now it seems to have disrupted her interrogation and given Annette a moment of relief.
"I was upset because it was a challenge for me and will be for the child," Annette adds, hoping her sincerity will put Cordelia fully at ease. It's not a lie, she was nervous for Thomas, or perhaps even Judith by now.
"I see," Cordelia relents. "I had a friend who was a twice-born man. Lovely fellow, told the filthiest jokes I ever heard. I think I might have loved him."
"Miss?"
"I wonder what happened to him...?" Cordelia mutters to herself, drifting off into her own nostalgia. "Regardless, is this matter finally resolved? Might we continue?"
"Please, Miss Jones."
Cordelia nods one final time and resumes her walk. With each step, Annette slowly realizes they are returning to the railyard, and she wonders if they've left some important clue to discover in Henry's workshed.
"Annette Baker isn't a Kerish name because it's your reborn name," Cordelia connects after a few silent minutes pass.
"Indeed."
"It suits you," she says simply.
At the railyard once more, now eerily quiet for the night, Cordelia's confident stride reignites. She surprises Annette, turning away from the path that would lead to Henry's workspace and instead making her way towards Mister Bembrook's office. Annette takes a deep breath, forcing herself to once again prepare for his frank and revolting flirtations.
She could not, however, prepare herself for the sight of Mister Bembrook's limp body splayed out across his desk, unbreathing, unmoving. His vacant face wears a look of terror and alarm, and his collared shirt has been stained with what must be his own blood. Annette's next breath chokes in her throat as she can't bring herself to look away from his eyes - the left, frightened and glassy; the right, impaled by the rusted iron of a railroad spike.
- COMMENTS
Purplefizz9 months agoGreat world building, great pacing, colourful characters that develop with the story, the different countries, the concept of being twice born, along with the idea of indentured servants that bear collars to declare that demeaning status is all wonderfully original, the fact that you’re tying it up with what appears to be a genuine Victorian/Steampunk society makes it compulsive reading, very very well done Ma’am, I am seriously impressed. Many thanks for reading and posting here on Lit, best wishes, Ppfzz. 5⭐️
Vell8411 months agoI have questions about the rebaptism! Is it merely a church sanctioned/ordained ceremony of intent? Or some sort of hormonal switch that starts a cross-gender puberty? Or does alternate universe Holmesian England have HRT of some kind? How does it work? Will she be named Judith?
lexstrokerover 1 year agoI am hooked on this story! I don’t know how many chapters you have in mind, but I hope we get several more. You’ve created such a unique world and the characters are incredible. So far, every chapter has been five stars, but to me, each one gets better. Thank you for sharing this with us!
MsAppropriatelyover 1 year agoAuthorYour comments always mean so much! I was honestly really nervous about how this series would be received, and its been a pleasant surprise to find so much positive feedback for it. I'm loving the chance to share Baker and Jones with folks, so thanks so much for reading! :)
Slurpy29over 1 year agoThe mystery continues. Reborn, Brembeck case, I’m enjoying where you’re asking us. Can’t wait for the next part. Thx
