A Swirl of Shadows by Andrea Penrose

Author:Andrea Penrose [Penrose, Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective
Publisher: Andrea Penrose
Published: 2022-03-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Arianna accepted a glass of tea, grateful for its warmth as her fingers closed around the gold handle. She had shucked off her heavy outer garments, and Mrs. Schuyler had kindled a blazing fire in the drawing room’s heating stove. Still, a chill seemed to linger deep in her bones.

“Thank you,” she murmured as Mrs. Schuyler settled into the armchair facing hers.

“As I said, I’m sure you have a myriad of questions. But before you begin, I wish to assure you that I have no involvement in Richard’s—that is, Mr. Fitzroy’s—abduction.” Wrapped in a simple navy blue dressing gown, without the exotic clothing embellishments and kohl-rimmed eyes that she used to create the aura of the mysterious mystic, the American appeared younger and more innocent—though perhaps “innocent” wasn’t quite the right word.

“You’ve no reason to believe me. After all, I’m a woman who makes her living through subterfuge and lies.” Mrs. Schuyler swirled her glass, the tea sending up a flickering of amber-hued reflections against her pale cheeks. “But in this, I’m telling the truth.”

Arianna allowed a soft laugh. “I don’t consider myself naïve. But strangely enough, I do believe you.”

“Thank you,” came the simple reply. Mrs. Schuyler pursed her lips. “I sense that you and Fitzroy have a special connection. Have you known each other long?”

“No,” answered Arianna. “But we have . . . things in common.” However, she didn’t intend to discuss her rather complicated relationship with her half-brother. There were far more pressing matters.

“I like him,” announced Mrs. Schuyler. “He’s intelligent, thoughtful, and sharply funny.” A pause. “But more importantly, while most gentlemen don’t feel they have to treat a woman of suspect reputation with any sort of respect, Richard is both kind and speaks with me as if I was an equal.”

“Perhaps that’s because he isn’t a gentleman.”

“But . . .” Mrs. Schuyler looked confused. “He went to Cambridge, he is a respected man of science—”

“In Britain, the title of ‘gentleman’ denotes whether one was born into the right family rather than any personal attributes. Fitzroy’s personal story is his to reveal however he chooses. But suffice it to say, the two of you have a lot in common for having forged your own way in life through your own talents and determination.”

The statement seemed to stun the American. “H-How . . .” She stopped, appearing unsure of how to go on.

“Let’s just say that I know more about Life’s challenges—especially when one happens to be female—than you might expect.” Before Mrs. Schuyler could respond, Arianna quickly added, “There is just one practical matter I need to clarify before we begin to discuss how we are going to find and free Fitzroy and von Wolfram . . .”

Mrs. Schuyler put down her tea.

“Are you an American agent, sent here by your country to foment trouble between Britain and Russia?”

A strangled laugh. “Good heavens, no!”

It took Mrs. Schuyler a moment to compose her thoughts. “I managed to flee from Philadelphia a half step ahead of the

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