Sheer Madness by Laura Strickland

Author:Laura Strickland [Strickland, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Victorian, Steampunk, Fantasy, Ghosts
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2016-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

“Carlotta, I need you to deliver a message for me. Do you think you can get away without being seen?”

“I’m not sure. Where do you want me to go?”

Topaz, already seated at her desk with a sheet of notepaper in front of her, paused. A good question: Where might Patrick Kelly be at this time of day? On duty? In his book-filled quarters? At Nellie’s? Topaz could not send Carlotta there.

Yet urgency—and Romney’s pain—still tore at her, throbbing like a livid wound.

She glanced at the window, where sleet continued to tick against the glass. Neither could she send the little maid out in this—not even if she gave Carlotta cab fare. Sapphire would never forgive her.

She got to her feet and began to pace the bloodstained rug while Carlotta stared. All the while her senses stretched for the least hint of communication from Romney, but none came.

Had he perished? Would she be able to tell?

She said, “You must have some idea where Sapphire has gone.”

Carlotta folded her hands and shook her head. “He said he meant to speak to a few acquaintances, seek lodging for us, even if temporary—and procure a job.”

That made Topaz stare. “He told you that, did he?”

“He promised, miss.”

“He’s never held down a job for more than three weeks at a time. You do understand his character, don’t you? You’re aware of the nature of this star to which you’ve hitched your wagon?”

Carlotta returned her stare with calm eyes. Not for the first time, Topaz wondered about the girl, so quiet and unassuming and yet so ready to jump into Sapphire’s bed.

“Yes, miss.”

“He’s a ne’er-do-well, a philanderer. A brilliant one, perhaps, but a philanderer all the same.”

“No, miss.”

“You think not?” Topaz’s frantic edginess made her brutal. “Then you’re a fool.”

“No, miss. I believe we present one face to the world and another—truer—to those who love us.”

That made Topaz stare harder. Was it so? Did Carlotta see the real Sapphire beneath all the layers of careless dispassion? Even Topaz couldn’t be sure she knew her brother through and through.

“Love,” she grunted. Patrick Kelly had one view of it, Carlotta obviously had another. “An indefinable prospect.”

“Say what you will, Miss Topaz. I believe that your brother loves me and that he will keep his promises.”

“And why,” Topaz asked, not unkindly, “should Sapphire fall in love with you, a servant in his father’s house—convenient to his bed? You do know he has been introduced to most of the heiresses in this city?”

“Yes, miss.” Carlotta raised her chin a notch. “I did ask him the same thing. I am aware that I come from humble beginnings. But he is educating me.”

Topaz just bet he was.

“And he says we knew one another before, in a past life.”

That halted Topaz’s wild pacing. “Eh?”

“He knows such things, miss. Surely you are aware your brother has unusual talents?”

“Yes.” Topaz also imagined he could spin quite a tale in order to get a girl—a good girl—into his bed. “Indeed.” And Topaz would have words for the rascal when she next saw him.

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