The Missing Partner (The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 2)

by Liza O'Connor

  Her words didn’t change the annoyance etched on his face. “I cannot believe he made you pay for the map.”

  “Xavier, aren’t you listening to me? Jacko’s map and assistance were worth the ten pounds I paid.”

  “Ten pounds!” Xavier yelled. “Bloody Hell!”

  “Calm down. Why are you so mad at Jacko?”

  “That valuable map you bought was created by me. And he has the audacity to charge you ten pounds, so I could be saved by my own map.”

  “Well, at least now I know why he laughed when I gave him the money. The man constantly chuckles over nothing. He can be highly annoying, but he did come in handy when stealing Mrs. Carson from Bedlam.”

  He stroked her cheek. “I am glad you let him perform that service.”

  “He said he had done it before, so I felt him more experienced.”

  “Good, pup,” Xavier said and patted her head.

  Vic sat up and frowned at him. “I’m in no mood to be downgraded to a pup after my hard week.”

  She noticed the pain lines forming on his brow and regretted her scolding. “Your ‘good pup’ will retrieve Connors now.”

  ***

  Connors came in alone and stood before Xavier. “I have salicylic acid but I think you are in need of something more.”

  He nodded. “The bastard takes great pleasure in addicting me to opium.”

  “It’s just temporary. We’ll wean you off, just like before.” Connors removed a bottle from his bag and poured a half glass. He handed it to Xavier.

  Xavier’s hand trembled as he reached for the liquid opiate. “Connors, don’t question Vic’s gender. Just let him be. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me and I don’t want you frightening him off.”

  Connors smiled. “I don’t think that would even be possible, but the matter is dropped. Now drink your medicine and rest.”

  Xavier tipped the glass and swallowed the contents in a single gulp. He waited for the gentle clouds to carry him away from his pain.

  Chapter 19

  Gregory arrived with breakfast for all and chicken broth for Xavier. However, after one sniff of Vic, the bossy butler went into a tizzy. “Vic, you have put off bathing for too long. The people outside waiting to return to their homes are a cleaner lot than you.”

  Everyone agreed with that observation, even Mr. Tubs. Vic looked at Xavier. She hated to leave him.

  “He’ll be asleep for hours,” Connors assured her.

  She sighed and nodded at Davy to take her home.

  When she arrived, Claire waited with two tubs of water for her. Evidently, Gregory had warned Claire that Vic needed a ‘pre-bath’ in a tin tub brought up from the servants’ quarters before having a soak in their full-length, cast iron tub.

  Still, Claire was not prepared for the true extent of Vic’s malodorous state. “My God, I’ve smelt pigs less repulsive. What on earth have you been doing?”

  “I have been working,” Vic snapped. “And why are you not at Alice’s estate sorting out the servants? I give you one job, and what do you do? Run home to complain I’m a bit dirty.”

  “A bit dirty? That’s rather like saying the Thames is a bit murky. Vic, you smell so vile, you are making me physically ill.”

  In the privacy of the bath, with only Claire to assist, Vic removed her clothes and stepped into the pre-bath tin tub.

  “You know, this wouldn’t have been necessary if we’d only put in a shower above our tub.”

  “Gregory doesn’t approve of them.”

  “We’ll I wasn’t suggesting we put one in his palace. I meant here in our bathing room.” As the warmth seeped into her aching muscles, she sighed with happiness and stopped complaining. She took a deep breath, scrunched up, and slipped her head beneath the two feet of water so she didn’t have to hear Claire’s continued complaints about her filthy state.

  She didn’t open her eyes beneath the water because Claire had poured a half a box of soap powder in the tub. When she rose for air, she demanded a clean washcloth to wipe her eyes free of the soap.

  “I cannot believe you are complaining about soap when you are covered in filth.”

  “Well the filth won’t burn my eyes from their sockets. However, you put enough soap in the water to permanently blind me.”

  Claire laughed and handed her a fresh washcloth as she continued to scrub Vic clean. “I don’t understand how a person can get so dirty. When was the last time you bathed?”

  Vic really didn’t wish to answer that question. As poor and ancient as their bathing room might be, Xavier’s was nonexistent. Nor did he have servants to heat and port the water.

  Given the difficulty in preparing a decent bath at his place, she may have skipped one or two of her weekly baths.

  Xavier would have probably commented two weeks ago when he showed up to make love to her, except he smelled worse than she did.

  “Vic, unless you want the reputation of being Xavier Thorn’s very bright but odoriferous apprentice, then you need to bathe every day.”

  “Every day? I don’t have time to wash every day. People depend on me to save their lives. Am I supposed to say, ‘Sorry, I would love to help, but unfortunately, I am taking my daily bath’? Just because you have time to take baths every day, do not presume my life is equally as idle.”

  By Claire’s pained expression, Vic realized her verbal jab had driven too deep. “Claire, I’m sorry.”

  “No. You are most correct. My life is far less important than your exciting adventures. I go nowhere but to my laboratory, do nothing but read scientific journals, and see no one but our household staff.”

  That her sister was unhappy with life stunned Vic to the core. Why hadn’t she said anything? She could go out, or invite people over.

  Except the last people her sister entertained, Vic had frightened away. Guilt pushed its way into her thoughts. She had not considered that her efforts to remove obnoxious suitors might cause her sister’s place in society to fall when the word spread she had no dowry.

  “Claire, I’m sorry. Not just for my words now, but for any actions I have done to worsen your life.”

  After several sniffs, her sister shrugged and gave a weak smile. “You are not the source of my problems.” She focused on the bath water, now the same murky brown color as the Thames. “It’s time to change baths.”

  The tubs were set side by side, so Vic stood and step into the other. “The pre-bath was a very good idea. But if we had a shower, it would not have been necessary.”

  Claire sprinkled a lightly masculine perfumed soap powder in the water. She then scrubbed Vic’s short hair with a special hair soap and tonic. “It is I who should apologize for constantly scolding you. I admit, I envy your grand life. I resented that when Xavier disappeared, you still had a purpose, while I had nothing.”

  Vic frowned at their conversations new direction. Xavier had long ago sworn he had no interest in Claire, but Claire seemed to being hinting otherwise. “Exactly what are you saying?”

  Edging closer, her sister whispered, “This must remain strictly between us. Xavier would never forgive me if he knew I told you.”

  A jealous anger bubbled up and threatened to erupt. She’d never liked Xavier spending time with Claire. Everyone had always favored her sister. And while Xavier wouldn’t give a whit about her sister’s beautiful face or petite figure, he would find her brilliant mind fascinating, possibly more so than he found Vic’s. “What are you saying?”

  “Xavier sometimes brings me challenges to work on. Such as, how might a human make themselves disappear, or how to make your tracking device safer. Then my work in the lab has purpose. I’m searching the answer for something that will make a difference. However, when Xavier stopped coming a month and half ago, I had nothing to do in my lab. I am no longer content playing with chemicals for no reason. That’s why I put out the rumor I was wealthy and flirted with educated men. I am searching for a purpose to my life.”

  Relieved there wa
s nothing more between the two than what she already knew, Vic relaxed. While she did not like it, she had come to terms with the fact that Xavier would never ignore a useful resource when it came to protecting Britain. “Is my hair clean yet?”

  “I suppose.”

  She dunked under the water, scrubbed her hair free of the soap and returned to the surface.

  “Silly, I had fresh water available to rinse your hair.”

  “Good, pour it in my eyes!” Vic demanded as she grimaced in pain from the soap.

  “How can you be so extraordinary and such a silly baby at the same time?”

  “Xavier says I’m the product of our modern indulgent lifestyle. Young men grow up physically, but mentally we remain children…or ‘pups’ as he is prone to say.”

  Claire poured the water over Vic’s head and face. “He may have something there. When I compare you to those two young men who came to dinner, you proved the better in all ways. While you may be prone to childish outbursts, you are never intentionally cruel or crude. And the amazing and important feats you do…” Claire sighed and set down the empty pitcher. She held out a large towel as Victor stood.

  Wrapping the towel around her, Vic stepped from the tub. “You have an important job, as well, Claire.” Vic frowned. “Unless Gregory botched his assignment and didn’t deliver you nearly a hundred servants to find placements.”

  Claire laughed softly. “I will never tell Gregory you suggested he might ‘botch’ a job. The servants safely arrived at the estate, and Mrs. Collins, as she now prefers to be called, is using her suffragette connections to find them homes.” Claire walked to the window and pretended to peek out the window. Vic realized her sister was using the curtain to blot her tears.

  Once Claire finished mauling the curtain, she continued. “After we sorted them out, I was of no further use. I have no contacts in society. Other than Alice and Mrs. Collins, I cannot name a man or woman who will speak to me if we pass on the street.”

  Her heart sank to the floor. “Because I said we were poor?”

  Claire continued to peek through the curtains as she dried her eyes again. “I have been on the edge of acceptability since Aunt Maddy’s death. My lack of supervision…”

  “Supervision for what? You stayed in the house for an entire year of mourning!”

  “Not entirely. I went to the library several times a week.”

  “God forbid, you might wish to read something.” Vic finished drying off and grabbed a clean muslin anaconda shirt. She struggled to pull it over her head. “Can you give me a hand here?”

  Claire came to her rescue and tugged the sleeveless undergarment into place as she explained the objections to her library visits. “Some of the matrons coerced the librarian to keep a record of the books I borrowed, none of which met their approval. They were equally appalled you had not hired an older female ‘companion’ to accompany me.

  “A pious old biddy to spy and tattle on us from within our home? Not a chance!” Vic slipped on freshly pressed trousers. She liked the feel of clean clothes.

  “And your occupation and frequent absence from the house was held against me. Then Xavier’s visits…”

  She said this last so soft Vic barely heard her. Vic frowned. “Those visits were all professional.” She said this as a statement of fact, but she needed Claire to confirm it true. She slipped on her shirt and buttoned it as she awaited her sister’s response.

  “Yes, but the ladies assumed otherwise, and they liked nothing about it. The visits occurred at odd hours, frequently un-chaperoned, and with a man they consider unsuitable for a young lady of society.”

  “Claire, I had no idea. Why did you not tell me you were so unhappy?”

  She sighed. “Because I wasn’t. I was very contented with my life. I had a man I loved…”

  “Jonas.” Vic said firmly, wanting to ensure the man Claire loved was her servant and not Xavier.

  “My sweet Jonas. I’m teaching him chemistry. He hates it, but he tries his hardest to learn.” Claire turned to Vic. “What if I’ve made a mistake, Vic? What if I cannot do this?”

  Her question stunned Vic to her core. She hoped Claire wasn’t saying she wanted to change genders so she could work for Xavier, because that would not do!

  “What if I’ve change my mind and wish to marry a gentleman?”

  Vic felt both relief and concern: Relief that Claire did not covet her place in life, but worry Claire would like marriage even less than her current situation.

  She went to her sister and embraced her.

  Claire rested her head on Vic’s clean shirt, dampening it with tears. “Everyone has a purpose except for me. Alice has an estate she runs all on her own, and now a handsome pirate to warm her bed at night…”

  Vic pushed her back so she could see her face. “Pirate? What pirate?”

  Claire laughed softly. “No one for you to arrest. Despite his unruly long hair and a penchant for bright colored silk shirts, he is as gracious and well-mannered as any man I’ve met.”

  “Does he also laugh an excessive amount?”

  “How did you…” Claire smiled. “Of course, you know him. He saved Mrs. Collins.”

  Vic almost pointed out she had some part in saving Mrs. Collins, but let it be. She would sound petty. “Jacko, the laughing pirate. Yes, I know him.”

  “Alice is besotted. However, Mrs. Collins is worried.”

  Vic sighed with disappointment that Mrs. Collins would judge Jacko by his gypsy blood, rather than by his proven good character. “Jacko is completely reliable. We once had him move a very expensive stable of horses to France and he refrained from stealing a one. In fact, he is a man of business, with an office in the New Royal Exchange.”

  Claire smiled as she stroked Vic’s cheek. “Settle down, Vic. Mrs. Collins is only concerned because he has stolen Alice’s heart and she fears if he leaves, her daughter will never recover.”

  Vic still worried. “That seems inevitable, but not for any fault of Jacko’s. If society disowned you for the lack of a chaperone, just imagine how an affair with a gypsy pirate will rile them.”

  “Alice suspects they will drop her entirely. She says this with great anticipation, claiming she looks forward to removing complications and tiresome chores from her life. She just wants to run her estate, spend time with her mother, and enjoy her handsome pirate.”

  “She’s right. Why should she care what society thinks,” Vic insisted, wanting her sister to feel the same.

  “Yes, but she has something to do!”

  “Well, marrying a gentleman isn’t going to solve your problem. He will just dismantle your laboratory the day after your wedding.”

  “Depends upon the gentleman,” Claire replied with caution, which alerted Vic she would not like her sister’s choice of gentlemen.

  Vic’s eyes narrowed. “Well, the only gentleman I know who would allow you to run amuck is Xavier, and he does not want a wife.”

  She could tell by the flush on his sister’s cheeks Xavier was precisely the gentleman she wanted to marry. Jealousy roiled within her. “You are not marrying the man I love, Claire, and that is final.”

  “It would not be a real marriage. He would have you and I would have Jonas. However, it would allow me to have children and—”

  “No!” Vic yelled. “You will not steal Xavier from me. You were happy before you set your eyes on him, you will be happy again, but not with Xavier. He is mine, and that is final!”

  Victor stormed from the room and headed downstairs, cursing Claire beneath her breath. Mrs. Yarrows caught her at the door and brushed her wet hair down.

  “Wouldn’t want it to dry that way,” the woman said and then kissed Vic on the cheek. “How is your Mr. Thorn?”

  “My Mr. Thorn is on the mend. Thank you for inquiring.” At least Mrs. Yarrows understands who belongs to whom!

  Chapter 20

  When Vic returned, Xavier was awake and cursing someone a blue streak about being bloody useles
s. She hoped it wasn’t Mr. Tubs. She had promised him a nicer boss than his prior ones.

  She smiled with relief when she saw Inspector Stone was the recipient of the blistering scold.

  She climbed onto Xavier’s bed and snuggled up against him.

  That stopped his bellowing while he whispered in her ear, “Pup, apprentices do not normally cuddle up against their masters. You are shocking Stone to his teeth.”

  Vic laughed and replied in Xavier’s ear, “Employer! And Stone already knows we share the same bed. He saw my clothes in your closet.”

  Xavier turned and yelled at Stone. “You searched my private living space?”

  Stone glared at Vic and sighed. “I had to verify you were not there. I had no choice in the matter.”

  “Well, I expect you to keep whatever you think you have learned from your illegal search private.”

  “That goes without saying. We are all entitled to our private lives.”

  Vic smiled in appreciation and Xavier cuffed her head. “Don’t smile at him. He is releasing your murderer.”

  Her mouth dropped in outrage as she sat up. “You are letting Mr. Carson go free?”

  Stone rubbed his temple and grimaced. “The prosecutor refuses to try the case. I’m sorry, Victor. You are correct that the laws should protect all, but the woman who was murdered had lived over twenty years in the asylum. She had no family or friends and the warden says she had not spoken a word in the last ten years. Honestly, death was probably a kindness.”

  “So that makes it all right to murder her? Can you not charge the bastard with attempted murder of Mrs. Carson? He certainly attempted to murder his wife. His assassin just made a mistake and killed the wrong lady.”

  After a long moment of consideration, a faint smile appeared on the inspector’s face. “Interesting angle. I’ll talk to the prosecutor.”

  “Then go do it!” Xavier snapped. “I need to talk to my pup in private.”

  With a look of pity thrown in her direction, Stone left the room. The moment the door closed, Xavier’s hand wrapped around her neck and tightened sufficiently that she suspected the inspector had spilled his guts about her cases.