Page 95 of Affair

“The golden griffin draws closer to the phoenix,” she said at last.

“This grows more fascinating by the hour.”

“And more dangerous,” the fortune-teller cautioned.

“True. But the danger adds a certain element of interest to the thing.”

The fortune-teller placed another card on the table. “The griffin’s connection to the lady with the crystal eyes grows stronger.”

“We must conclude that she is not a random thread in this tapestry, after all.” He was pleased.

Baxter?” Charlotte stirred languidly. She threaded her fingers through the hair on his chest. “It is getting late.”

“I know.” Reluctantly he shifted position to untangle himself from the froth of her skirts. He got to his feet, adjusted his breeches, and glanced at the clock. “Less than an hour until dawn. Must be on my way. Hamilton will be anxious.”

Charlotte sat up quickly and fumbled with the bodice of her gown. “What about poor Norris? I should think he would be the nervous one.”

“Haven’t seen him yet.” Baxter reached for his eyeglasses, shoved them on his nose, and then grabbed his shirt. “Hamilton says he’s very calm about the whole thing.”

“Perhaps the fact that he’s in a trance accounts for his unnatural calm.”

“Bloody magician. Got a lot to answer for.” Baxter scooped up his coat and swung around to say farewell. The sight of Charlotte looking deliciously disheveled made him wish very badly that he did not have such a pressing appointment. “I shall send word when the thing is finished.”

“Be careful, Baxter.” The last of the sweet sensuality disappeared from her eyes as she rose from the sofa. “I do not like this. It has been a strange night. There is something that I did not get a chance to tell you.”

“I shall call on you later this afternoon.” Baxter broke off as he caught sight of a wilted red rose lying on the desk. “There’s that damned flower I saw you carrying earlier at the ball. Meant to ask you about it. Got distracted. Who gave it to you?”

“It’s a long story. It can wait until you’ve resolved Hamilton’s problem.”

He did not care for the troubled expression in her eyes. He crossed the room and plucked the rose off the desk. Then he saw a folded piece of paper beneath it. A chill crawled across the nape of his neck.

“What’s this? A note, too?”

“I assure you, there is no call for jealousy.”

“I’m not jealous. I do not possess the hot-blooded nature required for such a ludicrous emotion.”

“Indeed.” She looked pensive. “I do, you know.”

“What the devil are you talking about?” he asked as he unfolded the note.

“I would hate it if some woman sent you flowers or gave you letters.”

He glanced up, startled by the vehemence in her voice. For an instant the expression in her eyes distracted him from the note in his hand. He cleared his throat. “I doubt that any female would send me a posy.”

“Hah. Don’t place any wagers on that, St. Ives. It is a wonder that I do not have to fend off my competitors with a stick. I suspect that the reason is that you have kept yourself out of Society for so long that no one knows you very well. It’s fortunate for me that you prefer to spend your time in your laboratory.”

Baxter felt the heat rise in his face.Bloody hell, now she’s put me to the blush. Is there no limit to her power over me?“You need not concern yourself with competitors. There aren’t any.”

“Excellent.”

He forced his attention back to the note in his hand. He read it quickly and then read it through a second time in growing disbelief.Your alchemist lover seeks the Philosopher’s Stone of vengeance.… He will use whatever means … including your affections.… Do not become his victim.

“Bloody hell.”

“It is not important now, Baxter. You must deal with the duel first. Then I will tell you about the note and the rose.”

He crushed the paper in one hand and met Charlotte’s eyes across the room. “Who gave you this?”

---