turned red. 'Sorry. Good afternoon, ladies.'
Virginia murmured a polite greeting. Now that she could see him more plainly, she realized that Nick Sweetwater was younger than Owen, twenty-eight or twenty-nine, perhaps. There was some family resemblance, most noticeably in the broad shoulders and lean physiques of the two men. But Nick's intelligent eyes lacked the dark knowledge that burned in the depths of Owen's disturbing gaze.
'That particular volume is extremely rare,' Charlotte informed Nick in frosty tones.
'I am well aware of that,' Nick said eagerly. 'I would very much like to examine it to determine its authenticity for myself.'
'I'm afraid that won't be possible,' Charlotte said a little too sweetly.
'What do you mean? This is a bookshop. I am interested in examining a book that I might wish to purchase.'
'I'm afraid I only allowlegitimate practitioners of the paranormal and researchers who are known to me or vouchsafed by someone I trust to examine the books in the locked cases,' Charlotte informed him in lofty accents. 'Many of those volumes contain dangerous information. I cannot let just anyone read them.'
Nick stared at her, shocked. Then he started to scowl. 'I assure you I possess a fair amount of psychical ability. Just ask my cousin, here.'
Owen caught Virginia's eye. She realized he was suppressing a grin.
'I am happy to verify that my cousin does indeed possess a high level of psychical ability,' Owen said.
'What of it?' Charlotte shot back. 'That is not as important as his standing as a researcher. What are his academic credentials?'
Nick's eyes narrowed. 'I'll have you know, Miss Tate, that I can read a number of ancient languages, including three or four that are dead, and I have deciphered the codes of several old alchemists.'
'Hmm.'Charlotte was not impressed.
'I have been a student of the paranormal since I was old enough to open a book. I have, in fact, written a few papers for the Arcane Society'sJournal of Paranormal and Psychical Research, which is, I might add, a far more legitimate publication than the Leybrook Institute's ridiculous rag. It's true that I write under a pseudonym, due to the fact that my family does not like to see the Sweetwater name in print, but that does not alter the validity of my work.'
'Oh, dear,' Virginia murmured. 'I'm afraid Arcane is not the most helpful recommendation, sir.'
Nick switched his attention to her. 'What do you mean?'
Charlotte cleared her throat. 'For your information, Mr. Sweetwater, the Arcane Society carries very little weight in this shop.'
'How can you say that?' Nick swept out a hand to indicate one of the shelves. 'It looks like you've got several years' worth of the Society'sJournal over there. Which means you've got some of my research papers sitting right here on the premises.'
'I do subscribe to theJournal, ' Charlotte agreed. 'But that does not mean that I tolerate its members, which I have always found to be an arrogant and irritating lot.'
'So do I,' Nick shot back. 'Which is why I am not a member of the Society.'
Owen cleared his throat. 'Well, that and the fact that Sweetwaters are not in the habit of joining organizations of any kind.'
'That's not the point,' Nick grumbled.
'No, it's not,' Charlotte agreed.
Evidently concluding that the argument had gone on long enough, Owen took charge.
'Now that we have all survived the social pleasantries,' he said, 'I suggest we move on to the particulars of the situation that brings us together today.'
'An excellent notion,' Virginia said quickly.
'My cousin is assisting me in the investigation,' Owen said. 'This morning he tracked down the clock maker who made the clockwork weapons.'
'That's wonderful news,' Virginia said.
Nick grimaced. 'No, it's not, I'm afraid. Owen and I paid a visit to the shop. It was empty. Mrs. Bridewell, the clock maker, has disappeared. There was no trace of any of her curiosities or her financial records left on the premises.'
'Oh,' Virginia said, deflated. 'Now what do we do?'
'We will leave Mrs. Bridewell to J J,' Owen said. 'I want Nick to help us with another aspect of the investigation. He has agreed to attend the reception at the Institute tonight. I want him to assess possible suspects in the crowd.'
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Nick. 'Are you any good at that sort of thing, Mr. Sweetwater?'
'Yes,' he said. 'As a matter of fact, I am.'
'How do you plan to get inside the Institute without a ticket?' Charlotte asked. 'One must be invited to the reception or accompany an invited guest.'
'I have already dealt with the problem,' Owen said. 'Nick will escort you, Miss Tate.'
Charlotte's eyes widened.'What?'
'Nick has a talent for noticing small details. I want his observations of the guests at the Institute to compare with my own.'
'Excuse me-' Charlotte began in ominous tones.
'Everyone at the Leybrook knows who I am by now,' Owen said, 'or at least they think they know who I am. But no one will recognize Nick.'
'I don't get out much,' Nick explained.
'You will introduce Nick as a new practitioner who is eager to establish himself in your community,' Owen explained.
Charlotte gave a small, ladylike sniff. 'I cannot imagine that scheme working for even an instant.' She glared at Nick. 'What sort of talent will you claim to possess, sir?'
Nick flushed. 'I will pretend to be one of those charlatans who summon spirits. It is the easiest talent to fake.'
'Because there are no ghosts,' Charlotte shot back. 'By definition, everyone who claims to see spirits is either a fraud or delusional. But there are literally hundreds of mediums in London, sir, perhaps thousands. Your talent will not appear exceptional.'
'Which is precisely the effect that we hope to achieve,' Owen said smoothly. 'No one will pay much attention to one more practitioner who claims to summon spirits. Nick will not be perceived as a serious competitor or threat to business by anyone present at the reception. That will allow him to make his observations without drawing scrutiny.'
'I see,' Virginia said quickly, before Charlotte could produce another argument. 'A very ingenious plan. I am also happy to say that Charlotte has offered to make inquiries at the agencies who provide paid companions. We suspect that Lady Hollister's companion will now be searching for a new position. Charlotte may be able to find her.'
'Excellent,' Owen said. He looked impressed and very pleased. 'Thank you very much, Miss Tate. That will be extremely helpful.'
'I'll see what I can do,' Charlotte said, mollified by Owen's obvious gratitude.
'You will have to excuse us now.' Owen strode toward the door. 'Nick and I have a number of details to see to before tonight's affair.'
Nick inclined his head toward Virginia. 'A pleasure, Miss Dean.' He looked at Charlotte. 'It has been interesting, Miss Tate.'
Both men were out the door and lost in the fog before either Virginia or Charlotte could even say good- bye.
'Well,' Charlotte said, when she could speak. 'Both Sweetwater gentlemen are quite expert when it comes to departing in a speedy fashion.'
'Indeed,' Virginia said. 'One would almost think they had a psychical talent for disappearing.'
