clockwork nessie

The Beginning…

Clockwork Nessie, part 1

1914 Inverness, Scotland

As was our habit of late, my servants and I partook of the briny air and walked the full length of the rocky beach at Inverness. Although the sun struggled to break through the mist and fog, its victory was imminent.

Despite my urgings to hurry, Thomas and Sarah lollygagged behind, examining the odd seashell or beached jellyfish they discovered. Thomas had insisted on joining us on my scientific expeditions after my father’s death a month prior, despite my assurances that we did not require a male’s protection. I’d never encountered anything more dangerous than a cantankerous crab.

I stopped to gauge their progress. “Come, come. It’ll be high tide soon; we mustn’t tarry!”

“You go on ahead, Miss Blake. Sarah is tired, but we’ll catch up.”

I’d rolled up my pant legs to keep the water from soaking the fabric. The scandal-mongers were already tittering about my preference for men’s attire when at work. Baring a bit of ankle couldn’t be that much worse.

At seven and twenty, I had long ago chosen science over matrimony. The anemic attempts by the local gentlemen at persuading me otherwise had only strengthened my resolve.

(To be continued)

Welcome to “Six Sentence Sunday”. Thank you for visiting and especially for any comments you might feel inclined to offer.

This six comes from my story in Conquest Through Determination, a steampunk-themed anthology from Pill Hill Press. My story is called “Clockwork Nessie” and features a strong-minded young woman named Lizzy. She has just discovered her recently departed father left behind a secret science lab on Dog Island in Loch Ness. She and her servant, Robert, rowed out to the island to investigate and have just arrived at the hunting lodge, which appears to be deserted.

A large sign affixed to its door said, “Closed until September 1. Trespassers may be shot.”

“See, Miss. We’d best clear out lest someone make good on yon threat.”

“Oh posh. That’s to keep the riff-raff away, which is why it says ‘may be shot’.”