by Lora Edwards
Delphine glanced at Flynn, who shrugged. She was careful to not get too close to any more of the bubbling beakers after that.
“Ahhh here it is,” the old man finally pronounced, producing several stoppered bottles in different colors with labels made of parchment. A phrase was scrawled in ink on each one.
“You are fighting humans, yes, but not ones that are defenseless. We supernaturals become cocky and believe those without power are weak and will be overcome easily. What I have learned of these society members is that they are intelligent, quick-witted, and armed with potions and elixirs made by someone of the blood. Hubris will get you killed. These are antidotes to some of the more lethal potions. I was brought to the scene of the carnage after you affected the rescue, and I have studied the dead and ascertained what was used on them. “You”—he pointed at Delphine—“received one of my healing draughts just a few days ago. It was foolish of you to expend your newfound healing powers in such a way, as you could have doomed yourself to an existence of being neither here nor there, floating in the ether as your body strived to replace the energy you had depleted. Be careful—we cannot heal all, and that is the great burden that comes with the healing power.”
Delphine nodded. She knew the wisdom of this man’s words. She had been lucky to recover from her ordeal. It would be hard to choose who lived and who died, it was a responsibility that Odin believed she was strong enough to shoulder and she would not let him down. If She was to go on and help others, she needed to live to do so.
“For you, the draught I administered that brought you back from the brink will help if you have to heal restoring your energies. It may also help with the fatigue you experience from the changing of forms. Please let me know, as I would be interested in the results of that.” He handed Delphine several bottles of a bright purple liquid as well as a leather satchel.
He then turned to Flynn. “My dear boy, your shifting abilities are not unlike our daughter of the seas. You experience fatigue after the change or after you have held the change for a time, yes?” He lifted one eyebrow at Flynn, who nodded. “This draught will help you as well.” He handed Flynn an identical leather satchel and several bottles of the purple liquid he had given Delphine. “In addition, I will bestow to you antidotes to the potions the humans have developed. Some are deadly, some will not allow you to use your powers, some are used to incapacitate, and others do things that are unspeakable. I have included antidotes to each that I saw used on the poor souls at the manor house, as well as a few vials of a potion that will knock humans unconscious, though only for a few minutes. They are labeled by what they counteract. Some have not been tested so use them only in dire circumstances. Feel free to use the healing draught as often as needed as it has been thoroughly tested.”
He handed Flynn a third satchel, which was already bulging. The sound of clinking glass from the bottles echoed throughout the room.
“Be careful, but bring these people down. They have the potential to expose us, and as you are well aware, there are many more humans than there are of us and humans seek to eradicate what they do not understand. Be wise, be careful, and be successful.” The man shook Flynn’s hand, and to her surprise, he gave Delphine a hug and a pat on the cheek, not unlike what a loving grandfather would do.
Delphine and Flynn shouldered their packs and walked out of the room. Delphine took one last look at the bubbling beakers and steaming cauldrons. It had fascinated her and she wanted to learn more about the man’s work, but it was time to eradicate the society.
As their guide led them out of the building, they passed many more rooms full of people hard at work. Flynn chuckled, grabbing Delphine’s arm and tugging her along as she stopped and stared into each room. It was a fascinating place.
Finally they emerged into the weak London sunlight. In front of them was a gleaming black carriage pulled by two majestic Arabians, their sleek black coats gleaming.
Delphine gasped in delight then walked over and ran her hand down the smooth flank of the nearest one.
The horse turned to look at her, his shiny black eyes taking her in. She heard inside her head: “Welcome, daughter of the water.” Her smiled widened and she responded back: “My thanks. You are beautiful.”
The horse just whinnied and tossed his head in acknowledgement. On his other side, the other horse stamped and threw her mane.
“My mate requires your attention,” the horse thought at her.
Delphine hurried around the massive black horse to the other side, where a slightly smaller version of him stood.
She bowed low to the beautiful animal, running her hands over her flank. As she reached the belly, she felt a fitful kick under hand. Fascinated, Delphine continued to rub the horse’s belly. Putting her ear to the flank, she could hear the little one moving around inside.
“Should you be pulling this carriage in your condition,” Delphine thought at the horse.
She turned and stared at Delphine with what Delphine thought of as a haughty expression.
“The babe is healthy, as am I. Dante will protect us if needed.”
“You are a magnificent pair. Your child will be strong and beautiful,” Delphine thought at them.
Each bent a foreleg and bowed to her.
Delphine returned the gesture and walked back around to where the carriage door stood open.
Flynn only shook his head as he helped her up into the carriage.
When they were settled and the carriage was underway, Delphine looked at Flynn curiously. “What was all that head shaking about?”
“You fascinate me. There are so many facets to you. Just when I think I know all of them, you surprise me. You have a quick wit, a lively intelligence, a searching curiosity, and seeing you with those horses, how you treated them with such respect—I am just in awe of you.”
Delphine blushed deeply. Before she could respond, the carriage came to a stop, and she looked out the window then gasped.
In front of them lay a beautiful townhome. “The institute certainly doesn’t skimp on opulence, does it,” Delphine asked Flynn as the liveried driver opened the carriage door and helped her out onto the sidewalk.
“Wait until you see the interior,” Flynn said in her ear from behind her. He stepped up to her side and took her elbow in his hand, escorting her to the massive double doors.
Before they could reach them, they opened to reveal a well-dressed man standing there.
“I am Stallings, the butler. Welcome to the home of Lord and Lady Draconus,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
“Thank you. We are glad to be here,” Delphine said as she entered. She stopped short and gasped, just gawking at the sight before her.
Opulence was nothing new to Delphine. She had lived in a castle next to the sea all her life, had experienced the finest linens on her bed, and was used to seeing gilt and glamour, but this was on an entirely different scale.
On the Siren isle, Delphine had read all the books that had washed up on shore, and the local wisewoman had created a spell just for Delphine. If the book was mostly intact, she could bring it to her and the spell would make the book as good as the day it was printed. Delphine had devoured every one that had washed up, and there had once been a collection of books from the same shipwreck, drawings of gorgeous homes, astonishingly lovely outside and in. Delphine had pored over these, looking at the pages until they had become wrinkled and worn. She had loved looking at the different pieces that had gone into each of the rooms.
As she stood in the hallway of the home owned by the institute, it was as if these pictures had sprung to life. The crown molding, the furniture, the gilt frames holding portraits of severe-looking ancestors—it was all there. She could not wait to explore the various rooms.
The butler cleared his throat and Delphine shook herself, smiling apologetically. “Let’s give you a tour. Then you can get changed and have luncheon, as I am sure you are famished after your travels. We can then go over the correspondence that h
as come in.” Stallings strode down the hallway, clearly expecting them to follow.
Delphine and Flynn followed behind him. “Correspondence,” she asked.
Flynn explained, “Yes, the servants would have made it known that we are coming. It is a tradition in this time and would have looked odd if there was not any gossip coming from this house. The other homes would have noticed the influx of supplies and the bustle around the house as they made ready for our arrival. Hence we have been invited to parties and such by members of the ton. The season is not in swing and most are doing as we plan to do—taking the waters in Bath or having sumptuous parties at their summer homes. Still, there are always a few who stay in town or flit back and forth between large ancestral estates in the country and town. I am sure we have been invited to a dinner party or some such thing.”
“This is the dining room,” Stallings intoned, stopping next to a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows. It was dominated by a long table that could have seated twenty at least. Delphine looked up at the large crystal chandelier that dominated the ceiling and noticed the mural painted there. She longed to study it further, but Stallings was moving away down the hall again.
“Are we going to attend this dinner party,” Delphine asked, picking up the conversation once again.
“It would be an affront if we didn’t. Plus, you will be able to get a look at another home,” he said, winking as she continued to swivel her head back and forth, trying to take in everything as they walked.
“The gentleman’s study.” Stallings opened the heavy wooden door. The interior was the stereotypical male space: dark wooden desk, wood paneling, leather couch, and the faint smell of cigars.
They continued their tour, seeing drawing rooms and the ballroom. They passed guest rooms done up in different colors with large four-poster beds and silk hangings.
Finally Stallings stopped at a set of double doors. “I have been instructed that you will occupy the suites of Lord and Lady Draconus. We will enter the lady’s suite first and then go through the adjoining door to the lord’s.
Stallings pushed the door open and Delphine felt her eyebrows go into her hairline.
The room was an exact replica of one of the pictures she had studied in the book of sketches that had washed up on the island. She felt strange as she walked into the room, each stick of furniture new yet so familiar. Standing in the center of the room was a young woman.
“Hello, I am Victoria, the lady’s maid.” She did a little curtsey.
Delphine hurried over and grabbed her hand. “Don’t curtsey to me—I am just playing at being a fashionable lady. We are equals.”
Victoria smiled. “You remind me of Lady Draconus.”
“Teagan? Yes, I am sure she felt the same way.”
“Sir, if you please, I will show you to your suite.” Flynn winked at Delphine and followed Stallings into the adjoining room. Delphine got a glimpse of cream and brown striped walls and an imposing four-poster bed, experiencing another wave of déjà vu—that room was also straight from the sketchbook. Shaking off the odd feeling, Delphine turned to Victoria.
“I am supposed to dress for luncheon, and I have no idea what gown is suitable for that.” She giggled a little.
Victoria walked over to the wardrobe and opened it. Tucked inside was a series of gowns in all colors. There was the ball gown she had tried on at the institute, and the sight of it made her sigh. There were simpler gowns, and ones with intricate designs. Placed below were rows of silk slippers, each made to match the gowns above them.
“The blue or yellow silk would be appropriate for luncheon,” Victoria told her.
“The blue please.”
“The color will suit you perfectly.” Victoria pulled the dress and matching slippers out of the cupboard.
The two women laughed and chatted as Victoria helped Delphine dress and fixed her hair, getting along as if they had known each other for many years. Delphine enjoyed the woman’s affable manner and quiet voice, and Victoria instantly put her at ease. When she was dressed and her hair coiffed, Delphine thanked Victoria and headed down to the dining room to join Flynn for luncheon.
Chapter 21
Delphine came downstairs, following the irresistible smells that wafted out of the dining room. She entered, finding Flynn sitting in front of a table groaning with the weight of the platters and bowls piled high with every imaginable delicacy.
“Are we expecting company,” Delphine asked, eyeing the massive amount of food that spread over the table.
“Nope, this is all for us, so I hope you brought your appetite.” Flynn grinned at her again as she took the place across from him.
“I am hungry and this all looks delicious, but you and I will not be able to make a dent in it.” Delphine looked at all the food and dearly hoped it wouldn’t go to waste.
“Do not fret, I have already informed the scullery maid that they are to feast like kings on what we don’t eat. She seemed taken aback, but I used my lord voice and commanded them to do so.”
Delphine giggled. “Your lord voice.”
Flynn sat up straighter in his chair and tipped his chin in the air so he was looking down his nose at her. “Yes, beautiful lady, my lord voice.” He spoke in a commanding and slightly condescending tone.
It only made Delphine giggle at him, her eyes sparkling. Who knew being on a mission could be this much fun? Conversation halted as they dug into the dishes that surrounded them. The wine flowed freely with Stallings stepping in to refill their glasses any time they looked in danger of becoming empty.
Delphine sat back and sighed. The food had been delicious and she felt the corset digging into her overfull stomach. She looked at the remaining food and winced. She wished she had resisted that last fruit tart, but they were so good.
“Miss, if you have finished your meal, we could go over the correspondence? It would look amiss if you did not attend at least one outing while you are in the city. It might also be helpful in getting you introductions for when you continue your journey to Bath.” Stallings stood next to Delphine, hands behind his back.
Delphine looked up at him and smiled. “That would be fine, Stallings. I hope you will help me to determine the right fête to attend tonight as I am out of my element when it comes to deciding which would be the most appropriate.”
Stallings stood a little straighter, and if possible, became even more pompous. “It would be my honor to help, miss.” His words caused Delphine to smile, and she ignored Flynn rolling his eyes at the other end of the table.
The kitchen girls slipped in quietly and whisked away the remains of their luncheon. “Please give the cook our compliments for a truly excellent meal,” Delphine told the closet girl, who blushed in pleasure and nodded, likely having had a hand in preparing the meal.
When the table was cleared, Stallings produced a silver tray with a stack of cream-colored envelopes on it. He handed these to Delphine, along with an ornate silver letter opener.
“It looks as if you have this handled, Delphine. Tell me when and where to show up and I will be at your disposal this evening,” Flynn said before standing and kissing her lightly on the forehead before heading for the study. He wanted to do some research on the people they were most likely to come in contact with, as knowing their details would help weed out the society members from the contemporaries.
Delphine spent the next hour reading ornate invitations and having a lively discussion with Stallings about which to consider and which to discard. He was a fount of information on the members of high society.
“Stallings, does a butler in this time ever travel with a family,” she asked as she slit the seal on the last envelope. This one was made of linen paper embossed in gold, and it looked to be the most expensive of the invitations.
“Yes, it is proper when a family will be taking an extended stay to take a butler with them,” he said absently as he added another invitation to the list of possibilities he was making.
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��Can we take members of the staff to Bath with us if we so choose, or would that be gauche?”
Stallings head came up at the question. “It would be proper for the staff to accompany you to the summer home that has been purchased in Bath. The cook, scullery, kitchen, and lady’s maid will be going as the house has not been staffed. I have already asked the local institute to send a gentleman to act as valet to Mr. Kirk, and they sent over a butler, but he was unsatisfactory. They are supposed to send another candidate this afternoon.”
“Why not you? Your knowledge of the people of the ton is priceless, and you are an excellent butler. Would you consider joining the rest of the staff in accompanying us to the country home?”
Stallings tried to hide his smile and the gleam in his eye behind his traditional austere look. “Miss, I am honored that you would want me to accompany you, and I am at your service in any way that you require,” he replied humbly.
“That is settled then. Now, for tonight, which of these invitations do you believe would be most beneficial for us to accept? We want to see and be seen, get the lay of the land, so to speak.”
“Miss, I believe the elegant dinner party being held at the home of Lord and Lady Blackburn would be best. They are some of the most fashionable members of the set, but they are also kind and welcoming. Plus their home is old and beautiful, something you appear to enjoy, so they are a good choice all around.”
“I have no idea what the proper dress for this occasion would be.” Delphine smiled ruefully at him.
“Not to worry, Miss Victoria will help you. Mrs. Bloom always sends a fantastic array of creations and one will be suitable for an elegant dinner party, I am sure of it.” Stallings gave her a stiff smile and excused himself. Delphine smiled. She couldn’t wait to attend her first function in this time and get to see some more amazing architecture.
Chapter 22
