“It’s silly. But I don’t care for her. Something about her makes me uncomfortable.”
He frowned, staring at the door through which she’d passed. “She looks familiar to me.”
“She’s been here since our arrival.”
“No, I saw her somewhere else.” Awareness passed over his expression. He took Moira’s arm and drew her back into the morning room. “She was at a tavern last night where I met Ashbury and Weston. I’d wager she’s following us and reporting back to the professor.”
“I’ve thought there was something odd about her. Do you want her dismissed?”
“No. As long as she doesn’t know we are aware of her activities, we might be able to use her to lead us to the professor.” He touched Moira’s cheek with the back of his fingers. “Please be on your guard. She could be dangerous.”
Moira nodded. “I’ve already given instructions that she not be allowed near Amelia or Addie.”
“Excellent.” Lucas smiled. “You’ve always had good instincts.”
Her cheeks heated at the compliment. “Thank you. I’ll gather Amelia and Addie.” She turned back. “Please be careful, Lucas. After what happened to your brother…” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the thought.
“I will. This whole mess will soon be over and then—” He shook his head. “I’ll see you for luncheon.”
She nodded, disappointed he hadn’t finished the sentence. But then again, she already knew what was going to happen, she reminded herself. Not that she liked it. She’d know of Lucas’s imminent departure when she’d accepted his proposal. As she started up the steps, she place a hand low on her stomach. Her best hope was that he’d leave her with part of him.
Surely that would ease the hollowness she felt.
*
Lucas walked beside Moira, her hand tucked in the crook of his elbow, through the entrance of the British Museum. “Where shall we begin?”
“I’m told it’s impossible to see it all in one day. Shall we start on this level?”
“Certainly.” He didn’t care where they went or what they looked at. He only wanted to enjoy time with Moira. He hadn’t slept much the night before. He’d grown far too used to having her warm body beside his. But he didn’t want to become too dependent on her either. Not that his efforts had done any good. Here he was with her once again.
As always, his eye patch drew many looks from passersby. He hoped the stares from other visitors didn’t bother Moira overmuch. She didn’t seem to notice as they entered a large room displaying Egyptian antiquities. They wandered about the room, commenting on several of the more striking pieces. He was once again reminded of how intelligent she was.
The next room housed Greek objects, many of which were statues in various states of undress. There was something rather erotic about wandering through the marble forms with Moira. One particular statue caught Moira’s interest and she paused before it.
“My heart hurts when I look at this,” she whispered.
Lucas had to agree. The embracing couple had such longing for one another in their expressions and the lines of their bodies. Though they held each other, there was a small space between them as though they would be torn from each other at any moment—together yet apart. In many ways, he felt that way about Moira.
Sooner than he cared to think, his reason for staying in England would be over. Then he’d need to make a decision. Could he bear to live here with her and the girls? What would happen when she discovered his terrible ability? Would she see how broken he was and turn away? Would she fear him because of it?
“What is it?” Moira asked, drawing to a halt before another exhibit.
“Nothing.”
“Lucas?” He looked at her, helpless not to. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
He paused for a moment, wondering if that were true. “It’s nothing. Truly.”
A shutter crossed Moira’s expression. It was as though she’d realized he had no intention of telling her the truth. Yet how could he?
He placed his hand over hers and turned to walk, pausing here and there when her attention caught on a particular exhibit. There were fewer visitors as they proceeded through several rooms of displays toward the far end of the museum.
The next room had several large displays throughout the center. A strange rustling sound came from behind them. Lucas turned but didn’t see anything yet his senses remained on edge.
“What’s wrong?” Moira asked.
“I thought I heard something.” He continued to listen, pulling Moira even closer.
Several of the light sconces on the walls went out, leaving the room quite dim despite the two high narrow windows on one wall.
Lucas drew Moira to a halt and turned around. “Let us tour a different room.”
“I’m sorry if I alarmed you.” The raspy voice sent chills through Lucas. A cloaked figure emerged from behind a tall display case nearby.
Lucas stilled, his pulse beating in his ears. No aura was visible around the hood that covered the man’s head and cast his face in shadows. “Who are you?”
His chuckle echoed through the chamber. “Surely you can guess, Berkmond. Though I will say you were always the most wary of the three.” The man leaned heavily on a cane.
“Professor Grisby, I presume?” Though not surprised by his appearance, he was taken aback by the unfamiliar voice and form.
“Indeed. Welcome home.”
His breath caught at the anger that rushed through him. He wanted to grab the man and shake him, demand to know what the hell he’d been thinking. Why he’d thought he had any right to kill Markus. But he had Moira to protect so needed to proceed with care.
“I have a difficult time believing you survived the accident,” Lucas said. “Why don’t you reveal yourself.”
“You would be less than impressed.” He gestured toward the left side of his face and body. “The damage is deep. Bone deep. I must rely on assistance.” He lifted the cane. “Without disguises, my appearance is unsettling.”
Lucas said nothing, hoping the professor would pull off the hood that shadowed his face.
“Your bride is quite lovely. Congratulations on your marriage. Must I address you with your proper title now? The Earl of Berkmond.”
Lucas’s jaw clenched. “How dare you—”
The professor held up his hand, palm out. “Remain where you are. You don’t think I came here without protection, do you?” Several forms emerged from the shadows. Four that Lucas could see with his limited peripheral vision.
Christ. What an impossible situation. The man they’d been searching for was standing before him. Every part of Lucas strained to grab him, but the odds were certainly not in his favor. He couldn’t risk it, not with Moira here.
If he couldn’t capture him, then perhaps he could discover his plan, mayhap even convince him to give it up.
“It didn’t seem as if you were inclined to return on your own,” the professor continued. “Action had to be taken as your presence here is required.”
“You murdered my brother.”
“There was no other way to force you to return.”
Moira stepped forward despite Lucas’s hold on her. “You left two little girls orphans. How can you possibly think that is tolerable?”
Professor Grisby scoffed. “You can hardly compare those two privileged children to those who live in the orphanage. They didn’t see their father that frequently from what I’m given to understand.”
Moira gasped in outrage. Lucas squeezed her hand, hoping she’d understand that while he appreciated her anger on Amelia and Addie’s behalf, she had to take care.
“Murder is an extreme course of action,” Lucas said, unable to let it go. “One that often causes the injured party to seek revenge.”
“You’re quibbling over details.” He waved his hand in dismissal as though done with the topic. “I am here today to share with you the bigger vision.”
“Protesting the murder of
my brother can hardly be called quibbling. The police might have a different opinion as well.”
“As I attempted to explain to Weston this summer, collateral damage is often required for a greater gain.”
“I do not understand your plan. Perhaps you’d care to explain.” He placed his arm protectively around Moira, not caring for the way the professor’s guards lurked nearby. Though tempted to try to leave, he also wanted to see if the professor would tell him more. This might be his one and only chance.
“England has grown weak, as I’m certain you’re aware despite your long absence. We must lead the world. Russia is growing to be a bigger concern each month. If we had a weapon that far out powered those of any other country, lives would be saved. No one would dare threaten us.”
“How do you propose to use the electromagnetic devices as a weapon? I thought you designed those to heal people.”
“That never worked, I’m sad to say. Just look at the two of us. Damaged beyond repair by those currents. However, I have at last mastered control of the device’s power.”
“As I remember it, the velocity of the current was a problem.” Now was not the time to mention the rhodite, but if the professor would tell him more, they could decide if it was worth using it as a lure.
Again, that raspy chuckle sounded. “I can hardly tell you all of my secrets. Not until I can trust you.”
“How can we determine if we’re willing to aid you if we don’t understand what your intentions are or what you’re working on?”
“Those are not our primary focus. What I truly need is your ability.”
Lucas felt Moira stiffen beside him. He cursed himself for not telling her sooner. He could only hope the professor didn’t know what his exact ability was.
“How could that aid you?”
“It appears as though each of you has a unique skill. With you three by my side, we could determine who in the House of Lords is sympathetic to our cause.”
“Once that is determined, will you provide them with a demonstration of the power of the devices?” Lucas’s blood chilled at how the professor intended to accomplish such a thing. Would it result in more deaths?
“Again, I am unable to share specifics with you.”
“Then what do you want?”
“My goal is to work by your side, the four of us together. And not just because of your ability. Over the past several years, I realized that despite your youth at the time, we accomplished far more in those few months than I had by myself previously. Ideas shared from a variety of perspectives from intelligent men who understood and appreciated science created tremendous progress, especially with new inventions.”
“Those were some of the most interesting months of my life.” Lucas stated that with honesty, but hoped it was enough to encourage him to confide more.
The professor nodded. “I agree wholeheartedly.”
“Perhaps the four of us should meet to discuss your plans. Then we can decide if there is any way we can join you.” Lucas wanted something to come out of this unexpected meeting. They needed more to work on if they were going to stop him.
The professor nodded. “Perhaps. I must think on the matter further. After all, I no longer know if I can trust you the way I used to. In addition to that, your brother’s opinions that he shared in the House of Lords did not support my efforts. I worry where yours lie.”
“His opinions were quite different from others—Lord Tysdale for example?”
Professor Grisby’s head jerked up, and Lucas knew he had struck a nerve, so he continued. “You must’ve read his speech in the newssheet. He appears to be in agreement with you that the time has come for England to move into global dominance.”
“I agree with many things of which Tysdale believes. He is a forward thinking individual. Parliament seems to have few of those these days.”
“How do you propose to change their minds? The sword or the pen?”
Again the professor laughed. “Therein lies the question, does it not? I’ve forgotten how clever you are, Berkmond. I’m pleased to learn the accident did not change that. I feared it destroyed your mind if not your body.”
Lucas was grateful for the dim interior of the room, for he feared his expression would give him away. He did not want the professor or Moira to realize how close it had come to doing just that. Never mind that he found it impossible to live a normal life. Not when the auras of those walking around him declared whether they’d live or die. Not when the headaches and despair threatened to consume him.
Moira shifted to hold his arm tight. Whether she did it in a show of support or because she was frightened didn’t matter. It gave him strength.
“I digress. I have a mission for the three of you. One that will prove to me that you are willing to aid me with my plan.”
“What might that be?”
“I want you to visit the House of Lords in two days’ time. They’ll be discussing the path England should take in the coming months. Tell me which lords are in favor of it and which are opposed, using your abilities, then I’ll share more of my plan with you.”
Lucas felt Moira staring up at him, obviously puzzled by the professor’s request. He couldn’t resist glancing down at her, trying to interpret her expression. Had she guessed to what the professor referred?
He had to think not, for her face revealed none of the horror he’d expected.
“You could easily do that yourself by simply listening to the lords’ responses to the discussion.”
“I beg to differ. What one says and what one does are often quite different. People lie far more often than most realize. Especially when in a position of power.”
Lucas couldn’t argue with that. Interesting that a glimmer of rational thinking should come from the professor when Lucas feared none remained.
“Having the three of you in that room to determine who believes and who needs convincing would be extremely helpful,” the professor continued.
Lucas didn’t know if the three of them could discover that, but he wasn’t about to tell the professor. “How would you go about convincing those whose opinions differ from yours?”
“That remains to be seen. Those details will be decided later. We must take this one step at a time.”
Lucas decided he’d learned as much as the professor was willing to share for now. “I will discuss this with Ashbury and Weston. How do we contact you if we decide to attempt this?”
“I will contact you.” Professor Grisby backed up several steps. “Enjoy the rest of your tour of the museum.”
The guards followed him out of the room, leaving Lucas and Moira alone. He looked at her and held his finger to his lips then eased forward to see where the professor and guards had gone. But found only an empty hallway. With Moira at his side, he looked in several of the other adjoining rooms but didn’t see them there either.
“Damn. No sign of him.” Lucas turned to Moira. “I’m sorry you were exposed to that.”
“I’m not. It seems we have much to speak about.”
Lucas was filled with dread. Obviously, the time had come to tell her everything. Not doing so would only put her in danger. But sharing his morbid ability might very well mean the end of his marriage. A knot formed in the pit of his stomach at the thought.
“Yes, I suppose we do.” He took her hand and tucked it in the crook of his elbow, wondering if she’d allow him to touch her at all after they’d spoken.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Moira paced her bedroom, waiting for Lucas who had stopped in the library before joining her upstairs. He’d suggested they speak in her room to provide them privacy. He hadn’t been willing to tell her anything in the carriage on the way home.
She hadn’t understood everything the professor had said, nor was she certain what she should believe. Yet Lucas’s reaction to the accusations and innuendos made her realize they were important. What ‘ability’ did Lucas and the other men have? Did it have something to do with the electroma
gnetic accident? It had to, she decided. She’d known Lucas all her life. Only since his return had oddities in his behavior appeared.
She listed the ones she could think of—his headaches, the despair that seemed to encompass him at times, the peculiar manner he had of looking at her hair. She tried to think of other incidents where the way he’d acted had seemed strange. The time he’d told her that she wouldn’t be able to help Mrs. Smythe from the village had certainly puzzled her.
Yet no matter how she thought over those, they didn’t add up to anything of which she could make sense.
The sound of the connecting door opening halted her. Lucas entered, almost reluctantly.
“You must have many questions,” he said quietly as he came to stand before her, his expression guarded.
She longed to reach out to him, to ground them both in this moment and to offer the comfort of an embrace. But she realized they needed to have this conversation if the two of them had any chance for a future together.
“I do. From what that man said, you apparently have many secrets.” She said it lightly but he remained serious. She couldn’t begin to guess what was going through his mind.
He drew a deep breath. “What if I were to tell you that some secrets are never meant to be shared?”
Hurt struck her hard, stealing her breath. “In other words, you don’t trust me to keep them.” She didn’t ask it as a question for she already knew the answer.
“You are not the issue. It’s myself I cannot trust.”
She shook her head, unconvinced. “Will you at least tell me what this ability is to which he referred?”
“I’d rather not.” He frowned, almost as though in pain.
She turned away as her heart squeezed. Whatever she’d expected, it hadn’t involved Lucas not telling her anything.
That was it then. There was really no hope. No hope for a marriage in truth. No hope that he might grow to care for her more than simply as a friend.
She pressed her fingers to her chest, hoping that would help hold the broken pieces together. The lump in her throat made speaking impossible. She could only pray he had the decency to leave her alone before her emotions got the better of her.
Secrets 03 - Shattered Secrets Page 24