Evermore (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy #3)(11)

"Perhaps he hasn't found the information in a book at all."

George peered down his nose at me. "Where else would he find it? Who would be in possession of such obscure knowledge and not write it down?"

I shrugged, but the more I thought about it, the more the idea took flight. All the books in George's library were written in the last few centuries by Englishmen or translated into English from foreign texts, but the authors must have gotten the information from somewhere. So where? Who had told them about the supernatural in the first place?

"He was elected Grand Master, you know," George said, flicking through a heavy leather bound book.

"Price? Grand Master of what?"

"The Grand Master is head of the Society." He shut the book, tucked it under his arm, and descended the ladder. "I'm not sure how he managed it. He's not particularly well liked, but he is extremely clever. Perhaps the general membership thought he deserved to be leader since he's so devoted to the supernatural."

"Does it give him any special powers?"

"Like flying or super-human strength?"

"Very amusing."

George's blue eyes twinkled behind his glasses. "He chairs our meetings and has the final say on changes to our charter."

"That doesn't sound very interesting."

A footman entered carrying a tray with tea things. He set it down just as Mrs. Culvert entered. "Ah, Miss Chambers, what a lovely surprise." Her tight smile didn't reach her eyes, which were equally tight, pulled back at the corners by her severe hairstyle. "How are you, my dear?"

"Well, thank you."

"And your family?"

"My sister and aunt are also well," I said, although Mrs. Culvert didn't seem to be listening to my answer.

"Mother, don't you have a lunch appointment?" George asked.

"Yes, yes, all in good time. I want to chat to Miss Chambers first. Such a sweet girl. Just like her friend. What's her name again?"

I wasn't looking at George but I could practically hear his eyeballs rolling back in his head. "You know her name is Adelaide Beaufort," he said, "and we can both see through your poor attempt to disguise your interest."

When I first met George, he would never have spoken to his mother so boldly. I wasn't sure whether to be shocked or to cheer him. Mrs. Culvert wasn't a particularly pleasant lady. She didn't like me. When we'd first met, she didn't want me in her house at all. Clearly I was unacceptable company for her son to keep. Being a medium, dusky of skin, and not from Society, I wasn't the sort of girl she wanted near her son in case we formed an affection for one another. Fortunately it was her son's house and he enjoyed my company. It was only after she learned of my friendship with Adelaide that she accepted me.

Mrs. Culvert's smile didn't waver. It was as if it had been painted on along with the rouge on her cheeks. "I suppose you'll be at Miss Beaufort's coming out ball? I'm not going of course. I have other commitments that evening, but I'm sure you younger ones will enjoy yourselves."

"Mother," George said on a sigh, "do you have to?" He'd told me that his mother desperately wanted to go to the ball but had not received an invitation. I felt a twinge of sympathy for her, but only a twinge, mind.

Through the open door of the library, we could hear the knocker bang on the front door. A moment, later the footman announced, "A Mr. Hyde."

"Who?" asked Mrs. Culvert.

"I wonder why Theo is here," I said.

"I imagine it's to see you," said George with a wink.

Theo entered and bowed to Mrs. Culvert and myself. "I hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all." George introduced him to his mother. "She was just leaving."

"In a moment." Her fingers brushed her lips and she eyed Theo up and down with an undisguised flash of desire.

I couldn't blame her. Theo was a handsome man. He was blond like George, but that's where the similarity ended. Where George's hair was a riot of boyish curls, Theo's was thick and straight. He was broader in the chest and shoulders too. George had the lean frame and milky skin of a London scholar.

"Are you related to the Hydes of Mayfair?" Mrs. Culvert asked.

"I'm from Shropshire, madam, but I'm related to the Arbuthnots of Kensington," Theo said.

"Are the Arbuthnots peerage?"

"No."

"Oh." Her mouth flattened and her eyes turned hard and colorless once more. "Don't let me keep you young people from doing whatever it is you do in here." She headed for the door. "Give my regards to Miss Beaufort and Lady Preston, Miss Chambers. And do tell Miss Beaufort that George is very much looking forward to attending the ball." She waggled her fingers at me then left. Her heels clicked on the tiled entrance hall until they disappeared altogether.

George breathed a sigh of relief.

"Theo, what brings you here?" I asked.

He took my hands and kissed the back of one. "I wanted to see you. I went to your house, but your sister said you'd come here." His smile was warm and focused entirely on me. A little thrill skidded down my spine at the attention.

"You don't have lectures this morning?"