Page 15 of Unforeseen Affairs
Today Mrs. Stone had demanded that both she and Charlotte sit alongside one another on the way over, facing backward in the carriage. That way, she had explained, they might catch the spirits unaware upon their arrival.
Charlotte had allowed herself to believe that this séance would be exactly the thing to set Mrs. Stone on a positive path again. A private circle in a respected home where she could exhibit hertrue talents. And with the testimony of someone as lauded as Sir Colin to speak to her innate skill.
But to arrive here only to stumble upon Thaddeus Taggart Bass, the unctuous charlatan! If only Charlotte had real abilities like Mrs. Stone, she’d be whispering curses under her breath. The man may be celebrated, but it was only a matter of time, Charlotte was certain; she waited for the day when he would be exposed for what he truly was, when his reputation would collapse like a house of cards. He’d been performing for ten years now, Charlotte had been told, and it baffled both her and Mrs. Stone that he remained at the zenith of mediumship.
For his act was indeed just that—an act. No true medium could conjure up apparitions, invite the spirits to play instruments, or lift furniture from the floor. As if the dead were all one large theater troupe, eager to hit their marks at the behest of those they had left behind.
Charlotte, of all people, ought to know such trickery when she saw it.
She narrowed her gaze, taking in the image of Mr. Bass, from his obnoxious mustache and mutton chops to his loud lavender neckcloth.
He appeared placid as Mrs. Stone now nodded at Mrs. Gearing, smiling. A tight, wan expression. Mirthless.
Oh no.
Someone cleared their throat behind her.
“Beg pardon, Isaidthat this is an awful bit of a blunder.”
She turned slowly.
Sir Colin was still standing there, looking thoroughly uncomfortable, his eyes on a level with hers.
They were a pleasant enough green, she noticed. Mossy, like the forest floor. She found it amusing that the young man, who seemed to know exactly who he was and what was expected ofhim, was now for the second time behaving so awkwardly in her presence.
“You’re still here.”
“Yes,” came Sir Colin Gearing’s artificially cheery reply. “I thought you hadn’t heard—”
“I heard you perfectly well the first time, Sir Colin.” Charlotte paused, wondering whether she ought to prod him again.
A muscle flexed along his strong jawline.
Yes,she decided.
“Just as I heard you the other day in the library.”
His face froze in a terrified expression.
She couldn’t keep the corners of her mouth from lifting.
“About that, Miss Sedley, I—”
“You’re heartily ashamed?”
“Well, er, yes—”
“You agree that such crass language should never pass your lips again?”
“Of… of course. That is…” he stuttered. Those warm green eyes darted about nervously.
“Then you ought to make a vow,” she pressed, leaning forward ever so slightly.
“A vow to…” He paused, thinking. “To what, exactly?”
“To never apologize to me again.”
The pain evident in his features turned to confusion. He fumbled around for a reply, apparently trying to ascertain whether or not she was serious.
