Quicksilver

Chapter 25

At eight forty-five that evening Virginia stood with Pamela Egan in a relatively quiet section of the Institute's reception hall. Together they surveyed the crowded room. Fifteen minutes earlier Virginia had seen Charlotte and Nick arrive. No one had appeared to take any notice of the couple.

When Virginia had walked into the room on Owen's arm, however, the reaction had been decidedly different. The short silence that had fallen on the crowd followed by the sudden burst of loud conversation had told the story. Everyone had noticed.

Pamela surveyed the scene. "There is no getting around the fact that Gilmore Leybrook is a pompous ass." She paused to down a healthy swallow of champagne. "Pity he controls the Institute."

"The good news is that I understand he is planning to tour the Continent soon," Virginia said.

"Bah. One can only hope that afterward he will feel compelled to tour America. When he is in London he lords it over the rest of us as if this were the Arcane Society and he was a genuine Jones."

"I suppose he is the nearest thing we have to a Jones here at the Institute. Let's be honest, Pamela, we are both making a good deal more money now that we can call ourselves Leybrook practitioners."

"Trust me, Leybrook is well aware of the fact that we are in his debt."

"It is the price of doing business, Pamela."

"Hmmph.A damn high price, if you ask me."

Pamela was a stately, full-figured woman in her early forties who conducted a successful business channeling the spirit of an ancient Egyptian princess. In tribute to the spirit that had done so much for her finances, she wore her artificially darkened hair in a style that her hairdresser had dubbed "the Cleopatra." An imitation-gold diadem set with glittering crystals circled her brow, enhancing the dramatic effect. Her eyes were heavily outlined in kohl, and her elegantly tiered gown was in a color known as Egyptian green.

Pamela had waited until Owen had left Virginia's side to collect two glasses of champagne before gliding through the crowd with the speed of a shark knifing through the sea.

She was a friend and former mentor who had offered kindness, support and excellent business advice when Virginia had embarked upon her own career as a practitioner. Virginia was very fond of her, but Pamela was a notorious gossip who prided herself on knowing the latest rumors and scandals.

"Speaking of Leybrook," Pamela said, "I have heard that the relationship with his latest assistant has already begun to fray."

"That didn't last long," Virginia said.

"His assistants never do." Pamela swallowed some champagne and lowered the glass. "I suspect the charming Adriana has begun making demands."

"Leybrook changes assistants almost as often as he does his socks. Adriana must have known that when she accepted the position. It is no secret."

"True, but you know how it is. Each new assistant thinks that she will be the last." Pamela's mouth twisted in disdain. "If I didn't know better, I'd swear that Leybrook actually does have some talent: namely, a paranormal skill for seduction. What's more, he can work his charms on men as well as women. Just look at the way people are flocking to get closer to the Presence tonight. Our guest of honor has been all but forgotten. Poor D. D. Pinkerton is stuck in the corner with Edward Drummer, who is surely boring him to tears. I see Mr. Welch is making his way over there to rescue Pinkerton."

"It's not necessary to resort to a paranormal explanation for Leybrook's remarkable powers of attraction," Virginia said. "He is handsome, and he is exceedingly clever. One must give credit where credit is due. He's a brilliantly successful practitioner who draws sell-out crowds wherever he goes."

From the moment of his fashionably late arrival that evening with his beautiful assistant on his arm, Gilmore Leybrook had been the star attraction. There was no question that he outshone the guest of honor.

Leybrook was holding court in the center of the room. He was tall, with chiseled features and a graceful, athletic build that was enhanced by his elegantly tailored evening clothes. His dark hair was cut in the latest fashion. No one knew where he had come from, but he had the manners and the accents of an educated gentleman.

Of course, Virginia thought, a good actor could mimic the attributes of the upper classes. Leybrook would not have been the first person of lowly birth to descend on the London scene and convince everyone that he had been born and raised in exclusive circles.

His assistant, Adriana Walters, looked as spectacular as ever tonight, but something in the atmosphere around her made it plain that she was not pleased. Her smile was tight, and her beautiful face looked as if it had been carved in stone. Evidently sensing she was being watched, she turned her head and looked straight at Virginia. There was so much rage in her eyes that for a few seconds Virginia could have sworn that she felt unwholesome energy shiver in the atmosphere.

"Oh, dear," Pamela murmured. "I know that expression on her face, and it doesn't bode well."

"You don't really think-"

"That the lovely Adriana is looking at you with murder in her eyes because she has reason to believe Leybrook is going to replace her with you? Yes, that is exactly what I think."

"Ridiculous. Why would Leybrook want me as an assistant? It's obvious that I lack all of the physical attributes he requires. My bosom is much too small, and my hair is too red."

Pamela assumed an air of ominous portent. Her voice dropped to a lower, huskier register. "The princess tells me that he has altered his requirements," she intoned.

Virginia ignored the theatrics. "Why would he do that?"

"I have no idea," Pamela said, her voice returning to normal. "At least you've been given some warning. And I'll add another word of caution."

"What?"

"I wouldn't accept any invitations to tea with Adriana. She's the type to dump a spoonful of cyanide into the cup."

Virginia smiled. "I'll bear that in mind, although I think it is highly unlikely that she will invite me to tea."

"In that case, let us turn to a far more interesting subject."

Virginia braced herself. "That would be?"

"Your association with Mr. Sweetwater, of course."

"I'm sure you've heard the news by now, Pamela."

"Oh, yes, it's all over the Institute." Pamela gave her a sidelong glance. "But is it true?"

"I have agreed to allow Mr. Sweetwater to study me while I employ my talents. He is convinced that he can measure my psychical energy patterns."

"You know what he did to Digby and Hobbes. After he exposed them as frauds, Leybrook was forced to release them from the Institute because of the bad publicity. Doesn't it concern you that you may be next? How can you prove that you have a true talent?"

"He claims to believe that I do have talent."

"I see." A glint appeared in Pamela's eyes. "That may explain the other talk that is going around."

"What do you mean?"

Pamela gave her a knowing smile. "Rumor has it that your connection with Mr. Sweetwater extends beyond the boundaries of scientific research and experimentation."

You knew this was coming,Virginia thought. Nevertheless, she had not been expecting such a blunt approach. She ought to have known better, she thought. This was Pamela, after all, who had gone through almost as many lovers as Leybrook.

"Good heavens, wherever did you get that notion?" she managed lightly.

"Virginia, you are talking to me, not one of your clients. There is no point trying to finesse the situation. I know you too well."

"I would rather not discuss my relationship with Mr. Sweetwater," Virginia said quietly.

"You are a grown woman, no longer a young, green girl trying to establish her career. I respect that. But I am well aware that you have not had much experience with men."

"I have had any number of male clients."

"I meant experience of a personal nature, and well you know it," Pamela snapped. "Mind you, if you had chosen almost any other man for this sort of adventure, I would have been thrilled for you. Every woman deserves the opportunity to discover romantic passion. But why the devil did you decide to embark on an affair with Owen Sweetwater?"

"For heaven's sake, Pamela, will you please lower your voice?"

"No one could be more unsuitable for you. He might even decide to damage your career when your affair ends. You have worked hard to establish yourself. I do not want to see you throw away your future."

"I don't think Mr. Sweetwater will pronounce me a fraud," Virginia said.

She broke off when she sensed a presence behind her.

"Rest assured, that will not happen," Owen said, his voice very dry.

Pamela gasped and swung around so sharply that a few drops of champagne flew out of the glass in her hand. "Mr. Sweetwater. I didn't realize you were in the vicinity."

Virginia turned more slowly. Owen held two glasses of champagne in his hands. He was smiling his coldest smile. His excellently cut black-and-white evening clothes underscored the aura of raw power that always charged the air around him.

"Allow me to introduce afriend, " Virginia said, laying subtle emphasis on the word "friend" so that Owen would understand that he was not allowed to be rude to Pamela. "Miss Egan is a highly regarded practitioner. She was very kind to me at the beginning of my career. Indeed, I owe much of my success to her advice and the introductions she was good enough to provide."

Amusement replaced the ice in Owen's eyes. His smile warmed several degrees. He inclined his head in a formal manner toward Pamela.

"In that case, it is a pleasure, Miss Egan," he said.

Pamela recovered her composure, but Virginia could have sworn that she blushed. "Mr. Sweetwater. I've heard a great deal about you."

"None of it good, I'm sure." He handed one of the glasses to Virginia. "But believe me when I say that I have no reason to declare Miss Dean a charlatan." He took a swallow of champagne and gave Virginia an intimate smile. "In fact, I find her talents extraordinary."

"Will you be giving that information to the press at the conclusion of your study of her powers?" Pamela asked. "It might do wonders for her career."

Owen turned back to her, brows slightly elevated.

"I will be happy to inform the press that Miss Dean possesses genuine psychical abilities, but I doubt that she needs my acclaim. She seems to be doing very well on her own."

Pamela gave him a steel-bright smile. "There is no such thing as too much positive publicity in our business, Mr. Sweetwater. It seems to me that a few good words to the press is the least you can do for Miss Dean under the circumstances."

"Circumstances?" Owen repeated, somewhat ominously.

"I refer, of course, to the fact that you are taking advantage of Miss Dean's generous nature in order to pursue your research project," Pamela said coolly. "She is doing you an enormous favor, is she not, Mr. Sweetwater?"

Virginia winced. "It's all right, Pamela, I assure you."

Owen slanted a long look at Virginia. "Yes, Miss Egan, she is doing me a great favor."

"Then it is only right that you repay her when you end the project," Pamela said. "The most helpful way you could do that is by ensuring that she receives some attractive publicity that might send some new clients her way."

"I see," Owen said.

"After all, it is not as if you have anything else of lasting value to offer her, is it?" Pamela said very pointedly.

"Pamela, please," Virginia pleaded. "That's enough."

"Quite right." Pamela smiled at Virginia. "Enjoy the rest of the evening, my dear, and don't forget the warning from the princess."

"I won't."

Pamela whisked up her green skirts and swept off into the crowd.

Owen watched her leave. "What was that about a warning from the princess?"

"Nothing important. I wonder how Charlotte and Nick are making out. I have lost sight of them. Oh, damn."

"Now what?"

"Gilmore Leybrook and his assistant are coming this way. Well, I suppose it was inevitable."

Owen followed her gaze, suddenly very focused. The atmosphere around him became more highly charged.

"This should be interesting," he said.