Evermore (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy #3)(30)

"The daguerreotype will be proof," George said.

"But we cannot enter her room if she refuses to let us in."

"Theo's right," I said. "But I think there's another way. George, tell your driver to divert to my house."

George banged on the roof of the coach then shouted the order out the window. "Don't keep us in suspense, Em," he said when he sat back in the seat. "What have you in mind?"

"Do you recall how the shape-shifting demon escaped?"

"Your sister accidentally released it."

Theo laughed then quickly apologized. "But it does sound rather ridiculous. How does one accidentally release a demon?"

I told him of the peddler woman who'd come to our house and convinced Celia to purchase a rather interesting amulet to use as a prop at our séances. When I'd summoned the spirit at our next event, she'd used the amulet in what she'd assumed was a harmless manner and the demon had emerged through the open portal.

"I see," Theo said. "If the person cursing the Otherworld is the same as the one who released the demon and Mortlock, then the peddler is our prime suspect."

"And my sister might recognize her."

"Which is why you need her to see Mrs. White," George finished.

"Didn't she meet Mrs. White when she worked at the school?" Theo asked.

"No, she only dealt with Blunt."

"Brilliant move, Emily," George said. "You're exceedingly clever for a woman." He knew he'd said something wrong as soon as it was out of his mouth. I didn't even need to glare at him, although I did anyway. "I, uh, my apologies. That's not what I meant."

"It most certainly is what you meant," I said.

Theo snorted a laugh.

"I don't see the funny side," I snapped at him.

"No?" Theo nodded at George. "Just look at his face. Any moment now he'll get down on his knees and beg forgiveness."

George did look terribly upset so I stopped glaring.

"I am sorry and you must believe me when I say I didn't mean it to sound the way it did. You and Adelaide are the cleverest females I've met. She could match wits with the most learned of paranormal scholars. She's very easy to teach, takes everything in. I admire her greatly."

"So I see," I said dryly. Listening to him back-pedal made me think of Jacob. Now he would never have slighted the whole of womankind.

Theo nudged me with his elbow. "Never mind. I still admire you greatly." His eyes twinkled mischievously. "Shall I list all your virtues to make you feel better?"

"We haven't enough time for that. The ride home is only ten minutes."

He chuckled. "I do admire you though, Emily. You are a most remarkable woman."

"And you are much too kind."

"I wouldn't say that." The twinkle vanished, but he continued to watch me from beneath his long lashes. It was most unnerving. I couldn't begin to guess what was meant by his unexpected intensity. His earlier humor was gone, and the adoration with it, which was rather peculiar, not to mention disappointing. He seemed...disturbed by something.

I chatted incessantly all the way home to distract myself. By the time we arrived in Druids Way, I couldn't recall what I'd said. Something about Adelaide's ball.

It wasn't as easy to convince Celia to come with us as I thought it would be. She refused to leave until we'd all had a quick bite to eat.

"You haven't eaten all day," she said, setting down the letter she was reading on the table beside the sofa. She rose and pulled the bell cord to summon Lucy. "Think of the men. They cannot be expected to work on an empty stomach."

I looked up at the ceiling in the hope of finding some patience there. "Celia, forget about food, this is important."

"It can wait." Lucy arrived and Celia gave orders to serve cold meat, bread and cheese in the dining room. "And take something out for the driver and footmen too."

"Celia! We must go!"

"Actually, Em," George said, "I'm exceedingly hungry."

"We'll eat quickly," Theo assured me.

"And the horses could do with a rest," George went on. "I'll have the driver give them some feed while they wait."

He left, as did Celia to help Lucy. I sat on the sofa and picked up the letter my sister had been reading. My stomach sank as I read.

"Something wrong?" Theo asked, sitting next to me, his hat in his hands.

"Another cancelation."

"Ah."

"You and George were right. My reputation is in tatters and our business on the brink of ruin." I had never liked conducting the séances, but I'd never actually thought a time would come when we didn't do them. It was all rather sudden and not quite real.

His fingers edged around the brim of his hat. "I'm sorry, Emily. I'm truly sorry." He looked at the hat, not at me.

"Thank you, but you don't need to apologize. It's not your fault."

"No, of course not." He looked up at me and his blond hair flopped over his eyes. He seemed much older all of a sudden, and very serious. "I just don't like seeing you in difficulty."

"It's no difficulty. Celia will have some money saved. She always does."