Sooner or later, clockwork requires each piece to accept its nature or break. Hearts are no different.

I have limited experience with steampunk. Most of what I've stumbled across has been romance of some sort or other, which is fine in its way. But that's why I kept expecting someone to leap into bed with someone in this book. There is a romance element - but a PNR this ain't. (*muted rejoicing*)

What this is is the story of Professor Cecil Reardon, whose wife and young son were killed in a terrible accident - and he wants them back. He has been working to conquer all obstacles to the time travel necessary to go back and save them. The work is kept undercover; to keep them from interfering, he is happy to allow the Leviacrum Council to see him as having become a doddering old codger broken by his tragedies. He is getting close, when one night -