Evermore (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy #3)(37)

"That's not all." I told him how Louis had been to jail, saved a man's life, and was now a successful businessman in Melbourne. "He's made something of himself there. I'm very pleased for him."

When he didn't answer me, I turned to look at him. "What is it?"

"I...I was simply wondering if you were thinking of returning to Melbourne with him."

"No! Of course not. I couldn't leave London."

He flicked his fingernail with his thumb, over and over, a nervous habit he seemed to have just acquired. "Not even if your business fails?"

"It won't fail. It can't. I won't consider it."

George sat up at that moment and rubbed his eyes. "Wh...what's happened?" He fumbled for his glasses and put them on. "Is Mrs. White leaving?" He squinted through the window. "Good lord, look who it is!"

"Who?" I asked, peering past him.

"Miss Beaufort." He fiddled with his tie, smoothed down his hair, and clapped his hat on his head. "How do I look?"

Like he hadn't been home all night. "Very handsome. Is she alone?"

"Her mother is with her." He opened the door and greeted them. I climbed out behind him, Theo at my heels.

We exchanged pleasantries and since George had gone all quiet, it was left to me to explain why we were loafing in the carriage at Grosvenor Square.

"She's in number twelve, you say?" Lady Preston said when I'd finished. "That's Lord and Lady Montgomery's house."

"You know them?"

"Quite well. This Mrs. White...you truly think she's Mrs. Seymour?"

"Jacob is convinced of it, as am I. I wish she'd make a move today. This waiting is very hard on our nerves. Well, it's been harder on Theo and George. They've been here all night."

"All night!" Adelaide took a step closer to George and raised her hand as if she would touch the stubble on his chin, but she did not. Her mother cleared her throat, and Adelaide's fist returned to her side. She looked down at her walking boots.

George's face turned red and he made a great show of watching the mansion. Theo seemed not to be aware of the conversation at all. He was staring into the distance at a group of ladies clustered at the corner.

"It's been quite some weeks since I've visited Lady Montgomery," Lady Preston said. "I think it's time I paid her a call." She stamped the point of her parasol onto the road. "I have a sudden interest in governesses. Come, Adelaide." Lady Preston walked off, using her parasol as a walking stick, not that she needed a crutch. "Our other call can wait."

Adelaide pulled a face. "I'm supposed to be seeing Bertie and the Duchess of Sandridge," she whispered to us. "Talking about governesses will be far more entertaining." She trotted after her mother, glancing over her shoulder at George twice.

He sighed. "She looks particularly lovely today. That jacket is very fetching on her neat figure and I do like the addition of all those ruffles."

"I had no idea you were an admirer of ladies fashion," I teased.

"Only the fashion of one particular lady." His blush deepened.

"Will you two excuse me for the rest of the day," Theo suddenly said. He sounded distracted, and I don't think he'd heard any of the conversation. "I seem to have developed a slight headache, and I have classes to attend today."

"Oh. Yes. Of course," I said. "You mustn't miss any more lectures. We'll manage without you."

He took my hand and bowed over it. "Good luck, and be careful. Culvert, I'm relying on you to protect her if necessary."

"Never fear," George said with a deep breath that puffed out his chest. "I packed the dueling pistols. They're under the seat."

Theo clapped him on the shoulder, bowed again to me, then strolled off. George and I returned to the carriage and waited.

A while later, Lady Preston and Adelaide climbed in alongside us. The elder sat down, her blue eyes hard and flat, her fingers rigid around the stem of her parasol.

It was Adelaide who spoke, however, her voice rising with excitement. "You will never believe what we learned about Mrs. White."





CHAPTER 9





"Do not leave us in suspense!" I cried. "What did you learn?"

Adelaide's face was flushed, her eyes shining as if in a fever. "Mrs. White was a nurse."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I didn't know the particulars of how the person speaking the curse was being brought back to life, but I did know it was possible for someone with the right medical training to do it.

"She was a nurse at St. Thomas's Hospital before she married. That's one of the main reasons Lady Montgomery hired her. One of her girls is sickly, you see, and having a trained nurse in the house eases her mind."

"Good lord." George rubbed his stubbly chin thoughtfully.

"Her guilt is beyond doubt." The quiet steel in Lady Preston's voice drew our attention more than a shout would. The coldness in her eyes made me shiver.

"Agreed," said George. "Come, Emily, let's confront her."

"No!" Adelaide grabbed his hand and he sat back on the seat, looking as dazed as if she'd slapped him. "She has asked for the afternoon off. I think you should wait and follow her when she leaves."