The Clockwork Scarab (13 page)

I ignored her and led the way to the nearest busy thoroughfare and flagged down a hansom cab. A few streets
away, behind the new Oligary Building and its belching steam, Big Ben’s gears ground rhythmically. A glimpse of his illuminated face through an air-canal told me it was approaching midnight.

Almost three hours since we’d left the party.

“Are you aside of
mad
? I can’t show myself in this condition,” Miss Holmes snapped when I directed the driver to take us back to Cosgrove Terrace. She was trying to rearrange her hair on the top of her head and having a hard time of it. Her voice was tight. Fury and accusation rolled off her like angry waves.

I felt a little pang of
 
.
 
.
 
.
 
well, it certainly wasn’t guilt. It was
 
.
 
.
 
.
 
regret. Maybe.

“Let me help you,” I said grudgingly, and slid over to her side of the carriage. I stuck a few pins in place, rearranged the cunning little clockwork hair clips, and adjusted some tendrils of hair over one shoulder.

When I was done, she settled back in the corner. Her nose remained in the air during the entire ride back to the party. My hair was in even worse condition, but did she offer to assist me? She did not. Thus, using a hint of reflection from the carriage windows, I put myself to rights before the cab arrived at the Cosgrove-Pitt home.

“I don’t expect to stay very long,” Miss Holmes said from between stiff lips as she climbed down from the carriage without waiting for assistance. “Just long enough to go inside and say good evening to our host and hostess. You needn’t
bother to make your carriage available to take me home, Miss Stoker.”

Her spine ramrod straight, she stalked off toward the ascending glider that would take her back into the ball. Her heavy skirts dragged because one of her delicate heels had snapped off during our escape and she had taken off her shoes.

I stifled a smile. Good riddance. And if she was leaving, this would give me the opportunity to find Lady Isabella’s study and locate the invitation list after all. It would be a welcome challenge to avoid the scores of young bachelors looking for a rich and pretty heiress to marry. I happen to fall under both categories.

At the party, I eluded Sir Buford Grandine, who had breath that rivaled the stench from the sewers, and Lord Peregrine Perry-Stokes, who, although quite wealthy, had clammy hands and the tendency to pick his nose when he thought no one was looking. Unfortunately, the habit tended to stain the fingertips of his gloves.

I avoided even Mr. Richard Dancy, who was the least offensive of the lot. He was handsome and had a very comfortable income. Unlike most of his peers, he actually asked
me
questions and listened to my answers when we conversed, instead of rambling on about horses or hounds or the newly signed Hartford Act.

But even if a young man
did
show interest in what I might think, I still couldn’t allow any of the bachelors into my affections. What young man, even in our modern London of
1889, would understand the duty and role of a female vampire hunter, let alone want to be married to one? What young man would understand or accept a wife who was not only compelled to spend her nights patrolling the streets, but also who was stronger and faster than he?

I wound my way through the ballroom and down the nearest hallway. I’d been to Cosgrove Terrace once before and remembered the basic layout. The deserted corridor lined with closed doors, gilded mirrors, and a few interesting statues led to Lady Isabella’s parlor. It was logical that her study was nearby.

The noise of the party faded. I heard only the soft hum of whirring gears and the ever-present
shish
of steam. I tried several doors before I heard someone approaching. I ducked into the next chamber to wait for them to pass.

“Miss Stoker?”

I froze. The door opened, and Mr. Richard Dancy poked his head in.

“Ah, Miss Stoker,” he said, “I thought I’d seen you slip away from the festivities. Is everything all right? Whatever are you doing here in the dark?”

Bloody
hell
.

“I needed to attend to
 
.
 
.
 
.
 
a private matter,” I replied.

He stepped into the chamber and somehow found the light switch. A soft, mellow glow filtered over the room from the wall sconces, and I realized I had found Lady Isabella’s study after all. Now if I could just get rid of my unwanted companion.

“I’ve been attempting to find you all night, Miss Stoker,” he said, closing the door behind him.

He was a handsome young man with light brown hair that curled, falling in thick waves over his forehead. His dark eyes focused steadily on me. It wasn’t surprising I had no problem dismissing the impropriety of being alone in a chamber with him.

“And now you have found me,” I said. My heart was pounding, but not from fear.

Mr. Dancy remained at a proper distance, leaning against the door. His warm smile made my insides flutter a bit, and I drew myself up sharply.
Focus, Evaline. You’ve got work to do
.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” he said, and stepped away from the door. “And you seemed to have disappeared. I cannot tell you how many parties and fetes and balls and picnics I’ve attended this Season, hoping to see you and further our acquaintance. Since your presence is so rare, when I heard your name announced, I thought I’d at last have an opportunity to lead you out for a waltz. And perhaps a stroll on the moonlit terrace?”

“Mr. Dancy
 
.
 
.
 
.” I began, hoping fervently Florence would never learn of his apparent interest in me. She’d have us betrothed in a trice.

“I do wish you would call me Richard, but I suppose it won’t be proper until we’ve come to know each other better. And until we’re better acquainted, I don’t believe it would be prudent for us to be found in such an inappropriate situation,”
he added, his smile turning almost shy as he gestured to the room. “I wouldn’t want to besmirch your reputation. Perhaps you’d consent to a dance, in full and proper view of an array of chaperones?”

“I’m in complete agreement that we shouldn’t be here,” I said. Hadn’t he been the one to follow me, putting us in this compromising position? “And—” I caught sight of a movement out of the corner of my eye. My heart stopped, then surged back into rhythm.

From where Mr. Dancy was standing, he couldn’t see the figure who slipped out from behind a decorative Oriental screen. I wasn’t certain if I should call an alarm or deal with the intruder myself. But then I realized
I
was the intruder.

The shadowy figure flashed me a cocky smile, and I jolted with recognition. I’d know that insouciant pose anywhere.
Bloody blasted drat!
And then Pix had the effrontery to raise a finger to his lips. To tell
me
to hush!

Somehow I managed to keep my expression blank when I turned to Mr. Dancy. “And”—I finished the sentence, which had dwindled off for a moment—“I would be honored to have a waltz with you.”

He smiled and for the first time, moved toward me. I changed my angle so he wouldn’t see Pix in the shadows and accepted Mr. Dancy’s offered arm. My mind raced as he led me out of the study. Actually, I was fairly towing him away. How was I going to extricate myself from the dance I’d promised? And from my companion?

Pix’s plan was obvious: he intended to rob the place and had somehow gotten himself hired as part of the staff. I had to return to Lady Isabella’s study and apprehend him before he filled his pockets.

“Oh, dear,” I said, pretending to trip. I bumped into a young woman who was holding a cup of lemonade. It sloshed all over the front of my gown, and the cup landed on the floor with a crash. I danced aside as it shattered. “Oh, my goodness, I’m so terribly sorry,” I said, just as she echoed my words.

“What a mess,” said the girl. “And your gown!”

“Oh, fiddlesticks,” I said, looking up at Mr. Dancy. His expression was a mask of regret, and I felt a twinge of guilt. “I must see to this stain before it sets. And perhaps you could see to getting Miss
 
.
 
.
 
.
 
?”

“Miss Laurel Bednicoe,” said the girl, looking up at my companion with hopeful eyes.

“Miss Bednicoe a new drink while I attend to this?” I asked, gesturing to my damp, lemonade-scented bodice. Drat. The gown was completely ruined.

“Of course,” replied Mr. Dancy. He looked down at me with warm eyes and a matching smile. “But please don’t take too long. I understand the orchestra stops playing at half past one.”

Thus excused, I rushed back to Lady Isabella’s study, then paused for a moment before easing the door open. The room was dark once again. I slipped inside and closed the door behind me. And waited, listening and watching.

After a long moment, I judged the chamber to be empty. Drat and bloody blast. Pix had gotten away, likely with sagging pockets filled with
 
.
 
.
 
.
 
well, what would be of value in the study? Surely Lady Isabella didn’t keep money here, and most definitely not jewels.

Right. At least I could see to the task that had brought me here in the first place. I needed to find the invitation list. A wisp of moonlight zigzagged in a sliver of illumination, making a jagged line over the rug, a chair
 
.
 
.
 
.
 
and a large writing desk.

Listening for the sound of anyone approaching, I set to searching the drawers of the desk. These weren’t simple sliding drawers. It took me a few seconds to figure out I had to flip a switch that unlatched the drawer. Then it eased open with a soft purr. Blasted cognoggin thing.

It was too dark to see clearly, but I didn’t dare chance lighting the wall sconces. Hopefully the invitation list would be clearly marked and in large enough writing for me to read. She must keep one, for how would—

A beam of light shot into the drawer I was rummaging.

“Needin’ a bit o’ glim there, luv? ’Ard t’see what yer buzzin’ wivout a light.”

I looked to my left. He stood there, cloaked in shadow. How had I not heard him? The man moved like a ghost! Only the hint of chin and cheek were visible from the shadows. He held some slender device that aimed light in a narrow beam. Right over my nosy fingers.

“Is that how you found what
you
were looking for?” I sneaked a sideways glance back down into the illuminated drawer. No invitation list yet.

“I warn’t lookin’ fer swag, luv,” he said, shifting the light as if to give me a better view of his face. “But if ye don’ believe me,” he said, his voice dropping, “then yer welcome t’turn me over and look fer yerself.” His eyes gleamed with humor and challenge. “Surely a bold one like ye’d ’ardly flicker a lash at the doin’.”

“I suspect you’d enjoy it entirely too much if I searched you.” Blast if my palms didn’t go damp at the thought. “But I’ve no doubt you’ve found something of value to make off with from Lady Isabella’s cache, and I suggest you return it immediately.”

“Nay, luv, I ain’t got nuffin’ on me o’ any value nor b’longin’ t’anyone but meself,” Pix replied, his Cockney so thick I could hardly understand him. “But ne’er say I ain’t a gennulman at ’eart. Ye got a rum thin’ goin’ ’ere, Miss Stoker, but it ain’t me place to be makin’ like a beak an’ judgin’ ye on what yer after. I’m cer’n ye ’ave a good reason t’be weedin’ through this ’ere desk. ’Low me t’elp ye.”

His movements were quick and smooth, and he placed himself on the other side of the enormous desk. Out of my reach, for the moment.

“This drawer here,” I said, turning the brass knob that set the mechanism into motion. As Pix beamed the light down, the drawer slid open. I allowed him to think
I trusted him enough to accept his assistance. Once I finished searching and his guard had dropped, I could
 
.
 
.
 
.
 
apprehend him?

That train of thought stopped as if it slammed into a brick wall. My throat went dry at the very idea of engaging in any sort of physical contact with him.

“Wot’sa matter, luv?” Pix asked. “Did ye find what yer lookin’ fer?”

I returned my attention to the drawer. And there it was. My aimless rummaging had uncovered what looked like a guest list. I snatched it out of the drawer, giving thanks for small favors, and Pix obligingly moved the light closer.

I heard the sound of voices approaching. Someone bumped against the door, and then the knob began to turn. Pix extinguished his light. The door opened, and I ducked behind a long, heavy curtain. So did he.

What were the chances of us both ending up in the same small place? Unbelievable. But there we were, muffled together in close quarters. His strong fingers closed around my arm, and his solid, warm presence rose behind me. I focused on the fact that Lady Cosgrove-Pitt needed a new downstairs maid because the dratted curtain was really dusty. But overriding that musty scent was a pleasant smoky and minty aroma coming from the man behind me.

“Iffen I din’t know any better,” he murmured in my ear, “I’d be thinkin’ you like slippin’ into th’ dark wiv me. Two nights in a row, is it?”

Right. He’d be so lucky. Still cloaked by the curtain, I moved as far away from him and his arrogance as possible. But I couldn’t go far, because two people had entered the chamber. From behind the curtain, I couldn’t see anything but a glow of light, which implied the new arrivals had no reason to hide their presence. They were also speaking with no attempt to keep their voices down. Servants. I could tell by their speech and accents.

Pix’s soft, warm breath buffeted against my ear and temple, and I had to close my eyes against the distraction. It was almost impossible to keep my breathing steady and my heart from pounding. Drat him anyway.