Page 109 of The Paid Companion

Elenora smelled the damp, dank odor that told her she was underground before Parker removed the blindfold. When he untied the cloth, she opened her eyes and found herself looking at the interior of a windowless stone chamber lit with lamps mounted on the walls.

They had descended into this place in some sort of iron cage. Because her eyes had been covered, she had been unable to see the device, but she had felt the movement and heard the noise of the heavy chain that Parker had used to lower it. He had explained with great pride that only he knew the secret to operating the cage.

“There is a special lock that secures it, top and bottom,” he had said. “One must know the combination in order to release it.”

The low, vaulted ceiling told her that the room was very old. The gothic design was original, she concluded, not a modern decorator’s notion of a fashionable interior. She could hear the faint sound of water dripping or lapping somewhere in the distance.

A number of workbenches were arranged around the chamber. Each was laden with an assortment of instruments and apparatus. Some, such as the balance, microscope and burning lens, she recognized. Others were unfamiliar.

“Welcome to my grandfather’s laboratory, Miss Lodge.” Parker gestured widely with one hand. “His collection of equipment and apparatus was excellent. But, naturally, by the time I arrived, they were all several years old. Some were still usable, but I have taken the liberty of replacing many of the instruments with more modern and more advanced devices.”

Her hands were still bound in front of her, but Parker had untied the bonds that he had used to secure her ankles during the carriage ride.

At one point during the nightmarish journey she had tried to throw herself out of the vehicle, only to discover that the door was locked and barred. When Parker had given his orders to the two ruffians on the box, she had quickly realized that there was no point appealing for help in that direction. The villains were clearly in Parker’s employ.

“We did not travel far,” she said, pointedly ignoring his verbal tour of the laboratory. “We must still be in London. Where is this place?”

She kept her voice very even, trying to sound as though she was in control of the situation. Whatever else happened, she would not let him see the terror that filled her heart. She would not give this madman that satisfaction.

“Very astute, Miss Lodge. Yes, indeed, we are still in London. This chamber is located in a rather remote section beneath the ruins of an ancient abbey. Very few people live in the vicinity, and those who do are convinced the place is haunted.”

“I see.” She glanced around, surveying the shadowy corners of the room. It was not difficult to believe that specters and phantoms lurked in this chamber.

Parker put his pistol down on a workbench and removed his coat. Beneath the well-cut coat he wore a snowy white linen shirt and an elegantly made blue and white patterned waistcoat.

“My grandfather encouraged the local legends surrounding the abbey, and I have continued the tradition,” he said. “It is useful for keeping people away from the place.”

“Why have you brought me here?”

“It is a somewhat complicated tale, Miss Lodge.” He glanced at his watch. “But there is time to tell it.” He walked to one of the workbenches and touched the large, malevolent-looking machine that sat there. He stroked the device the way a man might stroke a lover. A terrible reverence glittered in his eyes. “It is a tale of destiny.”

“Rubbish. No serious student of science speaks of destiny.”

“Ah, but I am more than a serious student of science, my dear. I was born to be its master.”

“Your grandmother was right. You are mad.”

He gave a short, derisive laugh. “She certainly believes that.”

“You have committed murder.”

“Murder was only the beginning, Miss Lodge.” He moved his hand slowly, lovingly along a part of the machine that resembled the long barrel of a rifle. “Only the beginning. I still have a great deal more to do.”

The manner in which he caressed the machine disturbed her. She looked away from his long, elegant fingers. “Tell me about your so-called destiny.”

“There can be no doubt about it. Not any longer.” He seemed to have become entranced by his machine. “St. Merryn and I share a bond. Neither of us can avoid our fates.”

“What do you mean?”

Parker took a small red velvet sack from his pocket and untied the thong that secured it. “We have each inherited a legacy of murder and thwarted destiny. But this time around, matters will turn out much differently than they did last time.”

Very carefully he removed a large red gem from the sack and slotted it into an opening on the side of the strange machine.

“What on earth are you talking about?” she asked, desperate to keep him talking.

“My grandfather and St. Merryn’s great-uncle were friends until they became fierce rivals. Eventually the competition between them turned bitter. George Lancaster could not abide the fact that my grandfather was Newton’s equal, you see. Called him mad. Mocked him.”

“You have had your vengeance, haven’t you? You murdered Arthur’s great-uncle.”

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