Quicksilver - Amanda Quick [76]
“Yes, well, Mrs. Harkins is an American,” Virginia said. “You know how it is, the act from out of town always draws the largest crowd.”
Like many who specialized in summoning spirits, Mrs. Harkins had originally hailed from America. The rage for the paranormal had begun in the States decades earlier, and American mediums still commanded considerable attention from the British public.
Charlotte raised her brows. “How fortunate for Mr. Sweetwater that he did not choose to make an example of Mrs. Harkins when he set out to expose a couple of fraudulent mediums last month. She’d have made mincemeat of him.”
Virginia laughed. “I’m sure he has no idea just how lucky he was.” She watched Owen emerge from the chaotic tangle of horses, carriages and people milling about on the street. “Mrs. Harkins has been looking after herself and her career for a long time. She has dealt with more than one investigator who sought to expose her as a fraud. She made them all look like silly fools for questioning her talent.”
Owen reached the top of the steps in time to hear the remark. He grinned.
“I’m not a complete idiot,” he said. “When I set out to expose a few frauds, I chose very carefully, I assure you. Sally Harkins was not on my list.”
“Very wise of you, sir,” Charlotte said. “Legend has it that Mrs. Harkins punished the last investigator who tried to expose her by revealing the name of his current mistress to a correspondent from the Flying Intelligencer. The gentleman’s wife was not at all pleased when the item appeared in the paper.”
“I did some research,” Owen said. “I was aware of that story.” He surveyed the busy street. “Where is Nick?”
“Here,” Nick said, materializing out of the crowd. “I finally found a carriage. The driver is waiting in the lane, Miss Tate.”
“Our carriage is across the street,” Owen said to Virginia. “Are you ready to leave?”
“As the evening has apparently been a complete waste of time in terms of the investigation, I suppose so,” Virginia said. “Not that it hasn’t had its moments, mind you.”
There was a short round of polite farewells, and then Owen was steering her through the crowd. He had his hand clamped around her upper arm. He was not hurting her, but the manaclelike grip spoke volumes about his determination to get her away from the Institute.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“Aside from the fact that tonight I discovered that Gilmore Leybrook wants you as his mistress, do you mean?”
She flushed. “Don’t waste any time worrying about Leybrook. I am quite capable of handling him.”
“He is determined to have you, Virginia.”
“Pamela Egan did say something to the effect that he may be shopping around for a new assistant. But I assure you I have no interest in the position. I prefer to control my own career. I have no wish to work as another practitioner’s assistant.”
“I am not referring to the opening for a new assistant. Leybrook wants you in a much more intimate position.”
“Nonsense. You’re overstating the case.”
“I saw it in his eyes.”
“He does have a very unpleasant history of conducting affairs with his assistants,” she conceded. “Indeed, he is known to select them for very specific physical attributes. I’m quite certain I do not meet his specifications.”
“I think he may have adjusted some of the specifications on his list.”
She glanced at him, startled. “How odd. Pamela Egan said much the same thing. Just what is this new attribute that might move me to the top of Leybrook’s list?”
“Your talent,” Owen said. “He has sensed that it is real.”
“What of it? He possesses some talent himself. I’m sure of it.”
“Precisely. I believe he has concluded that with you by his side he can take his financial empire to even greater heights. It’s a logical move, when you consider it closely. The Institute is already a profitable enterprise. But just think what two people of strong talent could do with the business.”
“If Leybrook offers me the position Adriana now holds, I will decline.