Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly #1)(68)

“How generous of you.”

“Everyone can see you fake your wealth.” He grimaced with a mixture of pity and distaste. “Of course, with a mother like yours, it’s not hard to see where it all gets wasted.”

“Don’t talk about my mother like that. You know nothing about us.”

His eyebrows jumped up. “I know she raised a wild, unruly daughter, whom, despite it all, I like. A daughter who must be married off quickly and taught some manners. I know she raised a weak son who has abandoned his family when they need him most—”

“He hasn’t abandoned us.” I launched myself at him and pounded on his chest. “He hasn’t! You don’t know anything.”

Clarence wrestled me off. I didn’t resist—I couldn’t resist. Somewhere in my pummeling, I had started to cry.

“Calm down,” he said. “You must calm down. You will wake your house.” He pushed me onto the bench and sat beside me. “Eleanor. Miss Fitt. Calm down.”

“How can I?” I whimpered. “How can I be calm when you’re Junior a-and my brother has been taken and I-I ruined the Spirit-Hunters lab and my brother is going to die—the whole city...” I laid my face in my hands and sobbed. I knew my behavior had turned hysterical, but I couldn’t rein in my emotions. It felt as if my brain were separated from my body by a wall. I could think logically, but I couldn’t act it.

“Eleanor.” Clarence yanked my hands from my face and made me meet his gaze. “What do you mean your brother has been taken? And what about the Spirit-Hunters—have they found Elijah’s body?”

“No. He’s not dead. The necromancer has him.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I just do! Now let me go!” I wrenched free of his grasp. He reached for me, but I scrambled off the bench. “Stay away from me.”

The muscles in his jaw twitched. “No. Stop. It makes no sense. Explain.” He sprang up and chased me, his eyes huge and white.

I retreated clumsily, wiping at my eyelashes and damp cheeks. “Wh-where are your bodyguards?”

“Around,” Clarence said. “Don’t worry. I’m safe. Even if you don’t see them, they’re lurking nearby.”

I laughed, a breathy sound. “I’m not worried for you. I’m worried for me.”

“I don’t intend to hurt you.”

“Then why don’t you leave?” I pointed toward the gate. “I don’t want your company.”

“Absolutely not,” he snapped. “There are quite a few questions that need answering. How do you know of your brother? Where did you go tonight? And, most importantly, who told you about the Gas Ring and your father’s company?” He advanced on me.

“Stay away!” I hefted up my skirts and tried to flee, but all I could manage in the mud and petticoats was a quick hobble. He clasped my arm and whipped me around. I toppled into him and clutched at his coat.

“You had better cooperate, Eleanor. There are many lives at stake, including my own.”

“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”

“And the foolish can cite Shakespeare,” he snarled. “Enough with your childish behavior. Answer my questions or I will tell your mother of all this.”

I gasped. “No.” He couldn’t tell Mama. Everything I’d worked for would be ruined—she would lock me away and likely lock herself away too.

Clarence snorted. “Finally, a sensible response. Now satisfy me with answers or I’ll tell.”

“Not tonight.” I licked my lips and searched for an excuse. “I-I’m so tired. In the morning. If you call in the morning, I’ll explain everything.”

“Why should I trust you?” He cocked his head and gestured to my gown. “You’re deceitful.”

“And you’re a corrupt, murdering bastard.”

“Ah.” His eyebrows rose high. “Back to your charming self, I see.”

I wrenched away from him and spat at his feet. It splattered on his patent leather shoes. If I could handle a dy***ite factory, then Clarence Wilcox should be nothing.

Clarence’s lip curled.

“Spare me, Eleanor. Truly, you only embarrass yourself. I’ll be here in the morning. Early. Until then, your little secrets are safe with me.”

I stared, suddenly tongue-tied. He held all the power. I had to do as he asked or he’d tell Mama. If she learned her only son was gone—possibly dead—and that our chances of redeeming our wealth were gone too... I couldn’t imagine the consequences. I had already lost one parent to devastated mourning and insanity.

With one hand Clarence twined his fingers in mine. With the other he brushed an errant curl from my face. I didn’t flinch, though I wanted to.

“You could be such a fine lady if you would only try.” He released me and backed away. “I shall see you tomorrow, then.”

As Clarence wandered into the night, I saw a figure detach itself from the shadows beside the gate. It crept after him.

One of the Pinkertons, I thought. So now at least two people know all my secrets. Can things get any worse?

When Mama discovered my late night with Mr. Wilcox, she was aghast. But that reaction lasted less than an hour. Then her mind realized it was actually what she’d wanted all along: Alone Time with an Eligible Bachelor.