Evermore (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy #3)(42)

Mrs. Stanley nodded. "I think it is for the best. You are part of that world already with your special gift. Your presence there will be powerful, and that can only help."

"I don't like it," George hedged.

"You don't have to like it," I said. "I'm doing it regardless. But I don't trust Mrs. White. If what Mrs. Stanley says is true—"

"It is," she said with a flare of her nostrils.

"If what Mrs. Stanley says is true," I said again, "then Mrs. White cannot be trusted to bring me back. We could go to a hospital and ask them to..." Kill me.

"I do not think a doctor will put you to your death."

"She's right," George said. "Don't worry, Em, we'll all be there. Your sister too, if you want her. We will force Mrs. White to keep you alive."

I sat for a moment, not yet believing what I'd agreed to do. Could I trust Mrs. Stanley? I felt a little mad for going along with her scheme. Actually, more than a little, particularly since I was rather looking forward to it. To see the Otherworld, to see Jacob again...I couldn't deny that it sent a little thrill through me.

"Until we are ready, Mrs. Seymour should be left alone," Mrs. Stanley said. "If we startle her, she will leave London and we will face delays as we try to find another to perform the death and resurrection."

"Agreed," George said.

"Mrs. Stanley," I asked, "where is your tribe?"

"My people will be south of Codicote in Hertfordshire at this time of year. Why?"

"Because you don't have the counter curse, do you? You must not, otherwise you would have had Price deliver it on his last visit to the Otherworld. He could have tricked Mrs. White and delivered the counter curse instead of the one she gave him."

She pressed her hand to her nose once more and I expected to see tears pool, but none did. Her eyes were two black orbs that held my gaze steadily. "Of course I do not have it."

"How long will it take you to reach your people's camp?" I asked.

"I can leave today and be back late tomorrow."

"Only if you rode very fast. I can lend you my carriage," George said.

"Mr. Culvert, my people are excellent horsemen and women. We can ride bareback at speed for twenty days and twenty nights if necessary."

"I'll take that as your refusal of my offer," he muttered.

"Late tomorrow," I said. "That will have to be soon enough."

"We have the ball tomorrow night," George said. "You cannot miss that, Em. It's the event of the century!"

"This is more important. Mrs. Stanley, if you haven't arrived here by the time I must leave for the ball, come fetch me at Lord and Lady Preston's Belgrave Square house upon your return. We'll go to Mrs. White's place of work together and force her to inject me. We'll trick her into thinking I'll be delivering the curse."

"Trick her how?" George asked. "She's no fool."

"I will tell her that you are going to deliver the curse," Mrs. Stanley said. "She doesn't know I have told you everything and will believe me. I will tell her that you think you are delivering the counter curse and that is why you have agreed to do it, otherwise she will be suspicious."

I nodded. So did George, reluctantly. "I still don't like it," he said.

Mrs. Stanley was eager to get on her way to fetch the counter curse from her people and did not stay for tea as politeness dictated.

"Should we trust her?" George asked after she'd left.

It was the same question I'd been asking myself ever since she walked in. "We don't have a choice."

"Yes, we do." He pushed his glasses up his nose and gave me a somewhat smug smile. "I can go independently to her tribe. If she shows up, then we know she's telling the truth. If she doesn't—"

"Then we'll know she lied and never intended to get the counter curse." I didn't tell him that by the time he discovered which side Mrs. Stanley's loyalties lay, it might be too late.





CHAPTER 10





"Don't go alone," I said to George. "Take Theo and Louis."

"Your father?"

"He's a brave man and looks strong. You may need him."

"I'm beginning to think you doubt my abilities when it comes to taking care of myself."

"George." I squared up to him. "You are a gentle man, and you are about to confront a clan of gypsies. I do not think even the three of you will be quite safe, but there's nothing for it but to go."

"You may be right." He removed his coat from the hook near the front door and brushed the sleeve with a flick of his fingers.

I pecked him on the cheek. "Good luck, and be careful."

"Don't worry. I'll have my pistols."

I didn't tell him that two pistols would hardly protect him from a clan of gypsies if they decided they didn't like him. "Just a thought, but it may be better to let my father do the talking. Your manner can be somewhat aloof at times and Theo doesn't seem to like them at all."

He tugged the brim of his hat down. "Emily, you worry too much. Trust me. I know how to handle a group of ruffians."