Page 27 of Unforeseen Affairs
Knowing something of this pain, she could not speak of it any further lest her throat thicken.Consumption, she added silently to herself. Her heart ached with the torment of an old injury that had never completely healed.
Worried he might pry were she to leave it at that, she forced herself to make conversation, to move the topic away from such profound loss and back to where she felt more comfortable.
“You’re correct—he is a trickster.”
“Mr. Bass?”
“Yes.” Charlotte turned the program over in her hands, wishing again that it contained any useful information about the fraudulent medium. “I confess, I came here seeking much the same thing as you.”
“Oh?” Sir Colin said the word a bit too eagerly, sounding far younger than an accomplished military man ought to. “To prove him a humbug?”
“Yes,” Charlotte said, narrowing her eyes at the engraving of Mr. Bass on the cover. “I aim to bring about the complete and utter ruination of Mr. Bass.”
“Beg pardon?”
She turned to him, her face solemn and unblinking.
Sir Colin stared at her, and for a moment she feared he would laugh and prove her estimation of him incorrect. But eventually he nodded, ever so slightly.
“I agree.”
“Good,” she said, her voice soft but stern.
Charlotte thought of Mrs. Stone’s pale face, and the way she’d begun shaking with fury the moment she spotted Mr. Bass across the drawing room. She thought of the supercilious look Mr. Bass had given her, and how Mrs. Stone had been so withdrawn in the weeks since, refusing to offer Charlotte any instruction, as well as any attempts at divination or communique.
It was nearly two years since Charlotte had begun learning at Mrs. Stone’s right hand. If she could not bring her mentor around, how would she ever learn to see beyond the veil? How would she ever manage to turn over that last and heaviest stone of human knowledge?
How would she ever hear from her mother again?
If Mr. Bass had the power to render the only true medium in London completely impotent, the choice was clear. Charlotte must destroy him. By any means necessary.
“Might I suggest,” Sir Colin paused to draw in a breath, “a partnership?”
“A partnership?” Charlotte raised a brow; now the young man truly surprised her. “What, you and me?”
“Yes.” His eyes widened, and he leaned toward her so slightly it was almost imperceptible. “One ought to have the best gunson deck, as many as possible. You… you’re quite adept at seeing through all these parlor tricks, Miss Sedley.”
He spoke plainly, matter-of-factly; he obviously had not meant it as flattery. All the same, a curious feeling took hold in her chest. Sir Colin’s green eyes sparkled now, and he leaned further forward with a grin, elbows resting upon his knees.
“It’s a cracking good idea, is it not?”
“I prefer working alone, Sir Colin.”
“In such an endeavor as this? Even Mr. Bass has his toady, that Mr. Trenwith or what have you. I saw him here on stage, moving tables about.”
“I refuse to be your toady, or anyone’s,” she said, scoffing despite herself.
He laid one arm across the vacant seatbacks, scooting closer to her in his eagerness.
“Pray, then, allow me to be yours.” He smiled. “Why, it would be like a game, in a way. All the best games involve partners. Like whist. Do you care for cards, Miss Sedley?”
Charlotte eyed him suspiciously.
“I see. Perhaps I ought to state it more plainly: I’m in dire straits. I’ve taken on something that’s beyond my expertise. And I’ve…” His hopeful expression suddenly transformed into one of worry. He raised a hand and rubbed at his temple.
After a moment he stopped and looked up, his disposition sunny once more.
“Well. I’ve no placement looming before me, no ship to board. I would be completely at your disposal. Please, Miss Sedley.”
