He smiled and for the first time, moved toward me. I changed my angle so he wouldn’t see Pix in the shadows and accepted Mr. Dancy’s offered arm. My mind raced as he led me out of the study. Actually, I was fairly towing him away. How was I going to extricate myself from the dance I’d promised? And from my companion?
Pix’s plan was obvious: he intended to rob the place and had somehow gotten himself hired as part of the staff. I had to return to Lady Isabella’s study and apprehend him before he filled his pockets.
“Oh, dear,” I said, pretending to trip. I bumped into a young woman who was holding a cup of lemonade. It sloshed all over the front of my gown, and the cup landed on the floor with a crash. I danced aside as it shattered. “Oh, my goodness, I’m so terribly sorry,” I said, just as she echoed my words.
“What a mess,” said the girl. “And your gown!”
“Oh, fiddlesticks,” I said, looking up at Mr. Dancy. His expression was a mask of regret, and I felt a twinge of guilt. “I must see to this stain before it sets. And perhaps you could see to getting Miss . . . ?”
“Miss Laurel Bednicoe,” said the girl, looking up at my companion with hopeful eyes.
“Miss Bednicoe a new drink while I attend to this?” I asked, gesturing to my damp, lemonade-scented bodice. Drat. The gown was completely ruined.
“Of course,” replied Mr. Dancy. He looked down at me with warm eyes and a matching smile. “But please don’t take too long. I understand the orchestra stops playing at half past one.”
Thus excused, I rushed back to Lady Isabella’s study, then paused for a moment before easing the door open. The room was dark once again. I slipped inside and closed the door behind me. And waited, listening and watching.
After a long moment, I judged the chamber to be empty. Drat and bloody blast. Pix had gotten away, likely with sagging pockets filled with . . . well, what would be of value in the study? Surely Lady Isabella didn’t keep money here, and most definitely not jewels.
Right. At least I could see to the task that had brought me here in the first place. I needed to find the invitation list. A wisp of moonlight zigzagged in a sliver of illumination, making a jagged line over the rug, a chair . . . and a large writing desk.
Listening for the sound of anyone approaching, I set to searching the drawers of the desk. These weren’t simple sliding drawers. It took me a few seconds to figure out I had to flip a switch that unlatched the drawer. Then it eased open with a soft purr. Blasted cognoggin thing.
It was too dark to see clearly, but I didn’t dare chance lighting the wall sconces. Hopefully the invitation list would be clearly marked and in large enough writing for me to read. She must keep one, for how would—
A beam of light shot into the drawer I was rummaging.
“Needin’ a bit o’ glim there, luv? ’Ard t’see what yer buzzin’ wivout a light.”
I looked to my left. He stood there, cloaked in shadow. How had I not heard him? The man moved like a ghost! Only the hint of chin and cheek were visible from the shadows. He held some slender device that aimed light in a narrow beam. Right over my nosy fingers.
“Is that how you found what you were looking for?” I sneaked a sideways glance back down into the illuminated drawer. No invitation list yet.
“I warn’t lookin’ fer swag, luv,” he said, shifting the light as if to give me a better view of his face. “But if ye don’ believe me,” he said, his voice dropping, “then yer welcome t’turn me over and look fer yerself.” His eyes gleamed with humor and challenge. “Surely a bold one like ye’d ’ardly flicker a lash at the doin’.”
“I suspect you’d enjoy it entirely too much if I searched you.” Blast if my palms didn’t go damp at the thought. “But I’ve no doubt you’ve found something of value to make off with from Lady Isabella’s cache, and I suggest you return it immediately.”
“Nay, luv, I ain’t got nuffin’ on me o’ any value nor b’longin’ t’anyone but meself,” Pix replied, his Cockney so thick I could hardly understand him. “But ne’er say I ain’t a gennulman at ’eart. Ye got a rum thin’ goin’ ’ere, Miss Stoker, but it ain’t me place to be makin’ like a beak an’ judgin’ ye on what yer after. I’m cer’n ye ’ave a good reason t’be weedin’ through this ’ere desk. ’Low me t’elp ye.”
His movements were quick and smooth, and he placed himself on the other side of the enormous desk. Out of my reach, for the moment.
“This drawer here,” I said, turning the brass knob that set the mechanism into motion. As Pix beamed the light down, the drawer slid open. I allowed him to think I trusted him enough to accept his assistance. Once I finished searching and his guard had dropped, I could . . . apprehend him?
That train of thought stopped as if it slammed into a brick wall. My throat went dry at the very idea of engaging in any sort of physical contact with him.
“Wot’sa matter, luv?” Pix asked. “Did ye find what yer lookin’ fer?”
I returned my attention to the drawer. And there it was. My aimless rummaging had uncovered what looked like a guest list. I snatched it out of the drawer, giving thanks for small favors, and Pix obligingly moved the light closer.
I heard the sound of voices approaching. Someone bumped against the door, and then the knob began to turn. Pix extinguished his light. The door opened, and I ducked behind a long, heavy curtain. So did he.
What were the chances of us both ending up in the same small place? Unbelievable. But there we were, muffled together in close quarters. His strong fingers closed around my arm, and his solid, warm presence rose behind me. I focused on the fact that Lady Cosgrove-Pitt needed a new downstairs maid because the dratted curtain was really dusty. But overriding that musty scent was a pleasant smoky and minty aroma coming from the man behind me.
“Iffen I din’t know any better,” he murmured in my ear, “I’d be thinkin’ you like slippin’ into th’ dark wiv me. Two nights in a row, is it?”
Right. He’d be so lucky. Still cloaked by the curtain, I moved as far away from him and his arrogance as possible. But I couldn’t go far, because two people had entered the chamber. From behind the curtain, I couldn’t see anything but a glow of light, which implied the new arrivals had no reason to hide their presence. They were also speaking with no attempt to keep their voices down. Servants. I could tell by their speech and accents.
Pix’s soft, warm breath buffeted against my ear and temple, and I had to close my eyes against the distraction. It was almost impossible to keep my breathing steady and my heart from pounding. Drat him anyway.
Was that his mouth against my hair? Just above my ear? I bit my lip as warm sizzles rushed from my sensitive ear down through my body. When I got out of this situation, I was going to drag this rogue of a pickpocket down to Newgate and toss him into a cage myself.
“Ye smell nice,” he had the effrontery to say. In my ear. While there were people in the room. “Ver’ nice, luv. Like . . . mmm . . . lemonade.”
Lemonade? I heard the laughter in his voice and wished I dared to expose him right then and there to whoever was in the room. Blasted man.
Desperate to put some space between us without shifting the curtain, I turned my attention to what was happening beyond the dusty velvet swags. By the conversation, it was obvious two maids had been sent by their mistress to retrieve something from the study. They found whatever they were looking for and left the chamber before Pix created any more mischief behind our curtain.
As soon as the door closed behind them, I flung the velvet panel aside and erupted into the cool, clean air. Thanks to Pix, my cheeks were burning hot. I turned back to confront him, and I heard a soft creak. The curtains moved, and then all at once, I smelled the fresh night air.
No! I got to the open window just in time to see a figure land on the ground one story below. He did a neat somersault and then disappeared into the shadows.
Incensed, I considered going after him. My ear still felt warm, and my palms were damp. I didn’t care i
f I ever saw him again, except to point him out to Scotland Yard. But I still held the invitation list, and that was all that mattered. I had what I came for.
Two minutes later, I finished reading it, and I had at least one answer.
Mayellen Hodgeworth was on the list.
Miss Holmes
An Unwanted Encounter
The day after the ball at Cosgrove Terrace, I was in my laboratory working on a new project. Like Uncle Sherlock, I spent a great amount of time conducting studies and experiments, and writing treatises. On this particular day, I was making notations for an instructional paper I intended to write regarding the residues of various powders and creams, in particular those found in a woman’s boudoir.
Unfortunately, I found myself distracted by the events of the prior evening; in particular, the brazen actions of my partner. Miss Stoker’s impulsiveness had endangered not only our persons, but our mission. I had no inclination to continue to partner with such a capricious person. And much as I wanted to speak with Miss Adler about the situation, the lady wouldn’t arrive at her offices at the museum until two o’clock. Thus I had to wait until then to travel across town and apprise her of the events of last night.
I was about to set flame to a dish of geranium-scented Danish facial powder when I was interrupted by a knock on the door. I extinguished the flame and set the finger-size steam-thrower aside. “Come in,” I called, raising my protective goggles.
Mrs. Raskill had learned early on not to heedlessly follow these instructions, but to enter the laboratory with care. Her hesitation stemmed from an incident several years ago when she’d walked in during an experiment with bees. I was properly protected, but she, alas, was not. The multitude of stings she acquired was one of the reasons she wasn’t a particularly attentive chaperone. I could be in the laboratory for days, and she wouldn’t notice, for she only bothered me if necessary.
“A parcel has arrived for you,” she said, poking her head around the door as her eyes scanned the chamber for reasons to retreat.
A package? I was immediately suspicious and on guard. I had been expecting some sort of reaction or response from the Ankh—an abduction attempt or even a threatening letter. Possibly a package. After all, both my father and uncle regularly received such articles, and my uncle had been in perilous situations more than once.
“How did it come to be delivered?” I asked, eyeing it in speculation.
“It’s from the Met,” Mrs. Raskill told me.
My concerns dissipated in a rush of disappointment. It would have been interesting to determine how to open a package without setting off the bomb that might be inside. However, as the Met was a reference to the Metropolitan Police, my concerns were alleviated. There was no reason the police would send me a bomb. But nor could I fathom a reason they would send me a package of any type.
Apparently deciding it was safe to breach my inner sanctum, Mrs. Raskill entered. As always, her gray-streaked black hair was pulled into a no-nonsense bun at the back of her head. Not one tendril dared escape, even during her most active days. I often wondered whether she used some sort of shellac to keep it in place.
Although our housekeeper barely reached my chin, she managed to convey a sense of disapproval as she handed me a package about the size of a small book. I wasn’t certain if today’s disapproval was due to the disarray of my lab or the implication that I was involved with the police.
I took the parcel, examining it closely.
Atop: my name written neatly, but with many splotches and streaks of ink—a bad pen, or someone in great haste. Left-handed.
No other markings, and the wrappings were yesterday’s newspaper; little clue as to the sender. I began to pull the paper off and the object slipped out and clattered to the table.
“What in land’s end is that?” Mrs. Raskill exclaimed, moving closer to gawk at the sleek metal object.
“It’s nothing of import,” I said. But my fingers tingled as I picked up the device that had lately been in the possession of Mr. Dylan Eckhert. Why would he send this back to me after stealing it from my bedchamber?
Or had someone else sent it?
“I ain’t seen nothing like that before,” Mrs. Raskill said. Her tiny, rabbit-like nose was fairly wriggling with curiosity. “Is it a fancy mirror? What does it do?”
“It could be an explosive,” I suggested, hefting it in my palm and attempting to appear concerned.
She edged away. “I’d best get back to the kitchen. The bloomin’ Gussy-Maker’s not workin’ right again. I’ll be havin’ Ben comin’ by to take a look at it later. Maybe you’ll invite him to dinner.”
Ben was Mrs. Raskill’s cloud-headed nephew, and although he was quite competent when it came to fixing mechanical devices, he was not at all the sort of company I preferred for dinner. I didn’t actually prefer any company for dinner—or any other meal, for that required me to relinquish whatever book I was reading or experiment I was conducting in favor of inane conversation on topics such as whether it had been foggy, drizzling, or foggy and drizzling today.
“Thank you, Mrs. Raskill,” I said, still staring down at the device. Mr. Eckhert had said it was a type of telephone, but once again, I couldn’t see how.
As the housekeeper took herself off, I picked up the newspaper wrapping to see if anything else was enclosed. Inside, I found a further message. It was short and simple: Please come. I’m in jail.
I considered whether I wanted to have further involvement with the young man who sneaked out of my house without so much as leaving a note in gratitude for my hospitality, and who sneaked into my bedchamber and stole this device from me.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I also appreciated the distraction from my aggravation toward Miss Stoker.
I made certain I wasn’t followed during my journey across town, and no more than thirty minutes later, I was alighting from a street-lift at the lowest level of Northumberland-avenue. The police commissioner and his men entered the offices at Lower Whitehall No. 4, but the public came in through the rear entrance off Great Scotland Yard, which was how the police headquarters got its familiar name.
For all my uncle’s complaints about the Met and the incompetency of its Criminal Investigation Division, the individuals I met inside were quite efficient in assisting me to find Mr. Eckhert. I’m certain my surname was an incentive.
Moments after my initial inquiry, I was escorted down a curving, dark staircase to a subterranean cell-lined hall. We passed several chambers, dark and dingy, scented with sweat, blood, and other unpleasant aromas, until at last we reached Mr. Eckhert’s cell.
“Mina!” he said when he saw me. He clambered to his feet from where he’d been slumped on the floor in a shadowy, dismal space. Rushing over, he grabbed the bars with both hands. “Thank God you came!”
I concealed my surprise at his informal use of my given name as well as his language. Instead, I turned to the constable. “Thank you,” I said, dismissing him. “I shall see myself out.”
“What are you doing in here?” I said, turning back to Mr. Eckhert. “Did you come upon another murder scene?” I noted he’d stolen clothes from my father’s closet.
The trousers were the correct length, and the shoes seemed to fit. But the coat and shirtwaist were too rumpled and loose, for, despite being slender elsewhere, my father has a healthy paunch. The prisoner had either lost his gloves and neckcloth or hadn’t seen fit to obtain either from my father’s wardrobe.
“Thank you for coming,” Mr. Eckhert said, pressing his face into the metal posts as if he could somehow pass through. His nose and a small wing of blond hair protruded from between the bars. “I didn’t know who else to call or what to do. Thank you.”
“What happened?” I asked again, feeling a twinge of sympathy for the foreigner, despite my misgivings. Even dirty and a bit pungent, he was still very handsome. His blue eyes were soft and filled with admiration and gratitude.
I couldn’t remember the last time someon
e had been so glad to see me.
“Can you get me out of here?” he asked. “I think . . . I think I understand that they’ll let me out on bail. I don’t understand your money system, but I sent you my cell—my phone. My telephone. As payment.”
Something inside me shifted in the face of his obvious desperation and fear, and whatever hesitation I had about him evaporated. “Why have they arrested you?”
His forehead bumped against the bars, making a dull clunk and rattle. “They caught me trying to break into the museum last night. I was trying to get inside so I could look for the Sekhmet statue. I didn’t know what else to do.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “If you hadn’t sneaked away yesterday morning without talking to me, I could have assisted you.” I declined to mention I’d seen his Sekhmet statue only last night, and not at the museum.
“I know, I know,” he said, bumping his forehead against the bars again. “It was stupid. But I didn’t want you to ask me a bunch of questions, and I just wanted to . . .” He sighed. “Whatever. Mina, will you help me? I don’t have anyone else, and . . . I want to go home. I don’t belong here.”
His blue eyes fastened on me. There was something in his gaze that tugged at me. At that moment, I realized I’d walk across a bed of nails for this young man.
I don’t belong here.
How many times had I felt that way?
I tamped down the soft feelings welling inside and replied tartly, “Yes, I’ll help you. I can arrange bail and release you, and even assist if charges are pressed. But I require two assurances in return.”
“What? Anything, Mina. Anything.”
“You’ll tell me everything, and you won’t abscond again.”
“Abscond? Oh, yeah.” He nodded against the bars. “I was stupid to run away. I’ve come to realize that if anyone can help me, it’s Sherlock Holmes’s niece. As weird as that might be,” he muttered. “If you get me out of here, Mina, I promise you won’t be able to get rid of me.”
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