The Girl in the Clockwork Collar

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar
Kady Cross

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling—or dangerous. Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her “straynge band of mysfits” have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper. Jasper lies in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade–the dangerous device Jasper stole from him for the life of the girl Jasper loves. One false move from Jasper, and the strange clockwork collar around Mei’s neck tightens. And tightens.To help those she’s come to care for so deeply, Finley Jayne must infiltrate a criminal gang, and more than ever rely on powerful English duke Griffin King to balance her dark magic with her good side. At war with himself over his secret attraction to Finley, Griffin will risk his life and reputation to save her. Only problem is, Finley might like the dark side a little too much…"Kady Cross never disappoints." —Sherrilyn Kenyon, #1 New York Times bestselling author

The

Girl in the

Clockwork

Collar

Also available from Kady Cross and

The Steampunk Chronicles (in reading order) THE STRANGE CASE OF FINLEY JAYNE (ebook prequel) THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET Visit www.miraink.co.uk for more information or find us on Twitter @MIRAInk

The

Girl in the

Clockwork

Collar

Kady Cross

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II B.V./S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Mira Ink is a registered trademark of Harlequin Enterprises Limited, used under licence.

Published in Great Britain 2012

MIRA Books, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited,

Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road,

Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1SR

© Kady Cross 2012

ISBN 978 1 408 98146 7

47-0612

For Kenzie Mae.

The world’s a little brighter with you in it.

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar

Kady Cross

www.miraink.co.uk (http://www.miraink.co.uk)

Contents

Chapter One (#u7cc8dc37-c94d-5d7d-bcfc-313f3cd6df20)

Chapter Two (#u79924493-ff9e-509f-bd68-377a8074b4dc)

Chapter Three (#ue44484e2-0dc0-519d-93da-04a5fb3de7e0)

Chapter Four (#u9c9f7419-4ca7-5053-ba9b-d334796dc5b3)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Author’s Note (#litres_trial_promo)