some who never forget ancient scandals.”
“Yes,” Virginia said.
“When Elizabeth came to me a few days ago, demanding answers, my first thought was that you had sought her out to tell her the truth. But I later learned that she got the story from a friend who had overheard her mother and another woman gossiping about the old tale. It seems the other woman was a client of yours.” Helen looked down at her hands and then raised her eyes. “She remarked on the family resemblance.”
“I am sorry,” Virginia said gently. “I realize how upsetting this is. But I give you my word Elizabeth is not staying here with me. You may search the house, if you like.”
Helen closed her eyes in anguish. When she opened them again, she looked more frightened than ever. “That will not be necessary. I can see that you are telling me the truth. I admit that I had pinned all of my hopes on finding her here. But if she is not in this house, where can she be?”
“I’m sorry,” Virginia said again. “Perhaps Elizabeth is staying with a friend?”
“No, I’m certain that is not the case. I made a few discreet inquiries before I came here.”
“I still do not understand why you believe she would have come to me.”
“She is extremely curious about you. She has questions, you see. Questions I cannot answer.”
“What sort of questions?”
Helen’s mouth tightened. “My husband claimed to have some psychical powers. He said he could see shimmering currents of energy around people. He said the colors and hues of the wavelengths told him a great deal about the person. Indeed, he was always very good at predicting how others would act, and he had a knack for knowing when someone was lying. But I never believed he actually possessed paranormal abilities. However, when Elizabeth turned thirteen this year, she told me that she could perceive strange lights around other people.”
“She inherited her father’s aura-reading talent.”
“For months I have tried to tell her that it was her imagination. I took her to our country house for a month. I thought the fresh air and daily walks would distract her.”
“But she continued to see auras,” Virginia said.
“Yes. When we returned to London last month I told her that she must not discuss the visions she has with anyone because people would think she was mentally unbalanced. That sort of chatter can ruin a young lady in society.”
“Yes, of course,” Virginia said evenly.
“After that lecture, she stopped talking about auras; at least she did not speak of them to me. But she has begun to take a great interest in all things paranormal. When I let her know that I was concerned, she informed me that the paranormal was all the rage and that her friends were very much intrigued by it. She made it sound as if attending seances and demonstrations of psychical talent were simply fashionable activities for young ladies.”
“For many young ladies, that is true,” Virginia said. “But Elizabeth is attempting to comprehend and accept her own talent. Surely you can understand that she does not want to believe that there is something wrong with her. She is seeking answers that will assure her she is not mentally unbalanced.”
“I realize that.” Helen tightened her gloved hands. “Learning that she has a half-sister who claims to possess paranormal talents, indeed a sister who makes her living with her abilities, was the final straw. I am convinced that she has set out to find you.”
“I would have said that she could not possibly know my address. But since you are obviously aware of it, I suppose she might have discovered it, too.”
“I have been aware of your address for some time,” Helen said. “But I did not tell Elizabeth.”
“If she knows anything at all about me, which I think we can assume is the case, she will likely know to make inquiries at the Leybrook Institute. That is how my clients contact me. Mr. Welch accepts the commission. His assistant, Mrs. Fordham, forwards all requests for consultations to me. I have received no notes regarding your daughter.”
Although she had been aware of Elizabeth since her birth, it had always been difficult to think of the girl as her sister. Mansfield’s legitimate daughter existed in a different dimension. The world she moved in had nothing in common with the one in which Virginia lived.
Tears glinted in Helen’s eyes. “Forgive me.” She pulled out a delicate lace handkerchief and blotted up the moisture. “I have been living in a nightmare since I discovered she was gone. The thought of Elizabeth out there alone on the streets terrifies me. She has no notion of how to survive in the world. What if she has been kidnapped?”
“I will send word to Mr. Welch at the Institute,” Virginia said. “I will ask him to be on the alert for a young lady making inquiries about my services. My housekeeper will have one of the street boys dispatch the note at once. If Elizabeth shows up, Mr. Welch will have his assistant keep an eye on her until I can get to the Institute to take charge of her. If I hear any news I will contact you at once.”
“Thank you,” Helen said, her voice leaden with anxiety. “I am so afraid that she will come to grief before I can find her.”
“You said your daughter is an aura-reader.”
“That is how she refers to herself.”
“Is she a sensible young lady?”
Helen sighed. “I had always believed that to be the case until this morning.”
“If she has a degree of common sense and if she can read auras, she is not as unprotected as you might think,” Virginia said.
“How can you say that? She has no experience of the world.”
“Her talent provides her with a strong intuitive ability that will surely help her avoid people who might be a danger to her. Aurareaders are very good at that sort of thing. That sensitivity will help keep her out of harm’s way.”
“She does seem to have recently developed very sound instincts when it comes to judging others,” Helen admitted. “I can only pray that you are right.”
Virginia rose. “I shall write the note to Mr. Welch immediately.”
Helen got to her feet. “I am very grateful, Miss Dean. I realize that you have no reason to feel any vestige of obligation to Elizabeth.”
“All I am going to do is send a note,” Virginia said. “It is nothing.”
Helen looked at her with an unreadable expression. “The gossip was right, you know.”
“What do you mean?”
“There is a strong family resemblance. You and Elizabeth both have your father’s eyes.”
Helen went out into the hall. Mrs. Crofton opened the door for her with a respectful air. Helen went down the steps and got into the waiting carriage.
Virginia went into her study to write the note to Welch. After she gave it to Mrs. Crofton to send around to the Institute, she opened the bottom drawer of her desk and removed the photograph inside.
For a long time she sat, looking at the picture of her handsome, dashing father, her attractive mother and herself. She had just turned thirteen when the photograph was taken. She looked innocent and happy and loved. For all her budding psychical talent, that day she’d had no premonition that in a few short months her world would come crashing down around her.
TWENTY
The note from Mrs. Fordham, Welch’s assistant, came within the hour. A young lady is here requesting a consultation with you. Won’t give her name. I assume she is the one you asked Mr. Welch to watch out for. I informed her you would see her shortly.
Virginia dashed off a note to Helen and went upstairs to change into a walking dress. By the time she returned to the front hall to collect her cloak and gloves, Mrs. Crofton was waiting at the door. She had been
