Page 115 of Affair

“Alchemist? Whatever do you mean by that?”

“I believe he sees himself as the product of a mix of extremely volatile chemicals. He felt he had no choice but to learn to control the fires that might ignite dangerous explosions.”

Rosalind’s brows rose. “An interesting analogy. What I wished to say, my dear, is that I believe you to be the best thing that has happened to Baxter in years.”

Charlotte was so startled, she nearly dropped her lemonade. “Lady Trengloss. That is very kind of you but surely you overstate the case.”

“It’s no less than the truth. You appear to understand him and deal with him in a way that no one else can quite manage.”

“Come now, he is not all that mysterious.”

“Actually, he is, but that is beside the point. Pardon my curiosity, but I must ask you a very personal question.”

Charlotte eyed her warily. “Yes?”

“There is no delicate way to phrase this so I shall come straight out with it. Has Baxter by any chance mentioned the possibility of a real marriage between the two of you?”

“No.” Charlotte took a deep breath. “He has not.”And a short while ago he as much as told me that there was no possibility of any other sort of long-standing connection, either.

Their passionate liaison had become inconvenient. It seemed to Charlotte that the brilliant glow of the chandelier dimmed for a moment.

But she had more pressing concerns, she thought. She would not rest easily tonight until she knew for certain that Baxter was safe.

Baxter raised his candle to view the empty chamber in which he and Hamilton stood. He studied the unmarked layer of dust on the floor. “No signs of anyone having been in this room for years.”

It was as though they walked through an abandoned house, he thought. The thick walls and heavy floor timbers muffled even the noisy reverberations of the crowded gaming room on the ground floor.

The upper story of The Green Table was another realm, a gray, spectral world where only a magician would feel at home.

“This makes the fourth chamber we’ve investigated up here,” Hamilton said. “I vow, I’m expecting to see a specter at any moment.”

“Only someone inclined toward Romantic poetry or Gothic novels would see ghosts in these rooms.”

“As it happens, I’m inclined toward both the poetry and the novels,” Hamilton said cheerfully.

Baxter shot him a speculative glance. “I do believe that you’re enjoying yourself.”

“This is the most exciting thing I’ve done in months.” Hamilton grinned. “Who would have thought that I’d be in your company when I did it?”

“I’m aware that you find me hopelessly boring, Esherton. But bear in mind that I hold the purse strings of your fortune for another few years.”

“You certainly know how to ruin the mood.”

Baxter turned to leave the dusty chamber. “Come. Time grows short and there’s still one more room on this floor.” With a last glance at the undisturbed chamber, he walked back out into the hall.

“I’m right behind you, brother.” Hamilton followed quietly.

Baxter went toward the closed door located at the end of the corridor. An old, tattered carpet that stretched the length of the hall silenced his footsteps.

“This one should prove more interesting than the others.” Baxter came to a halt in front of the central door.

“Why do you say that?”

“This chamber is located almost directly over the one you and your friends use for the meetings of your secret club.”

Hamilton studied the door with interest. “What of it?”

“You say your magician appears without warning. One moment he is not in the room, the next, he is standing in your midst.”

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