Quicksilver - Amanda Quick [69]
From the moment of his fashionably late arrival that evening with his beautiful assistant on his arm, Gilmore Leybrook had been the star attraction. There was no question that he outshone the guest of honor.
Leybrook was holding court in the center of the room. He was tall, with chiseled features and a graceful, athletic build that was enhanced by his elegantly tailored evening clothes. His dark hair was cut in the latest fashion. No one knew where he had come from, but he had the manners and the accents of an educated gentleman.
Of course, Virginia thought, a good actor could mimic the attributes of the upper classes. Leybrook would not have been the first person of lowly birth to descend on the London scene and convince everyone that he had been born and raised in exclusive circles.
His assistant, Adriana Walters, looked as spectacular as ever tonight, but something in the atmosphere around her made it plain that she was not pleased. Her smile was tight, and her beautiful face looked as if it had been carved in stone. Evidently sensing she was being watched, she turned her head and looked straight at Virginia. There was so much rage in her eyes that for a few seconds Virginia could have sworn that she felt unwholesome energy shiver in the atmosphere.
“Oh, dear,” Pamela murmured. “I know that expression on her face, and it doesn’t bode well.”
“You don’t really think—”
“That the lovely Adriana is looking at you with murder in her eyes because she has reason to believe Leybrook is going to replace her with you? Yes, that is exactly what I think.”
“Ridiculous. Why would Leybrook want me as an assistant? It’s obvious that I lack all of the physical attributes he requires. My bosom is much too small, and my hair is too red.”
Pamela assumed an air of ominous portent. Her voice dropped to a lower, huskier register. “The princess tells me that he has altered his requirements,” she intoned.
Virginia ignored the theatrics. “Why would he do that?”
“I have no idea,” Pamela said, her voice returning to normal. “At least you’ve been given some warning. And I’ll add another word of caution.”
“What?”
“I wouldn’t accept any invitations to tea with Adriana. She’s the type to dump a spoonful of cyanide into the cup.”
Virginia smiled. “I’ll bear that in mind, although I think it is highly unlikely that she will invite me to tea.”
“In that case, let us turn to a far more interesting subject.”
Virginia braced herself. “That would be?”
“Your association with Mr. Sweetwater, of course.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard the news by now, Pamela.”
“Oh, yes, it’s all over the Institute.” Pamela gave her a sidelong glance. “But is it true?”
“I have agreed to allow Mr. Sweetwater to study me while I employ my talents. He is convinced that he can measure my psychical energy patterns.”
“You know what he did to Digby and Hobbes. After he exposed them as frauds, Leybrook was forced to release them from the Institute because of the bad publicity. Doesn’t it concern you that you may be next? How can you prove that you have a true talent?”
“He claims to believe that I do have talent.”
“I see.” A glint appeared in Pamela’s eyes. “That may explain the other talk that is going around.”
“What do you mean?”
Pamela gave her a knowing smile. “Rumor has it that your connection with Mr. Sweetwater extends beyond the boundaries of scientific research and experimentation.”
You knew this was coming, Virginia thought. Nevertheless, she had not been expecting such a blunt approach. She ought to have known better, she thought. This was Pamela, after all, who had gone through almost as many lovers as Leybrook.
“Good heavens, wherever did you get that notion?” she managed lightly.
“Virginia, you are talking to me, not one of your clients. There is no point trying to finesse the situation. I know you too well.”
“I would rather not discuss my relationship with Mr. Sweetwater,” Virginia said quietly.
“You are a grown woman, no longer a young, green girl trying to establish