The Hanged Man by Elrod P. N

Author:Elrod, P. N. [Elrod, P. N.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781429946643
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 2015-05-18T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

In Which Lord and Lady Hollifield Provide Information and Mince Pies

Alex fought frantically against it, breath trapped, chest aching.

“There now, you’re all right,” said Brook in a steady voice.

Her eyelids shot wide.

Brook held both her wrists; his concern was as solid as a physical embrace. She tried to break free, and he instantly released her. “You fainted is all.”

Not underwater. Not dying.

Deep breath. A gasp, really. A shaky series of gasps. “I nev—I don’t faint.”

“’Fraid you did. Dropped like a stone.”

They were on a level, she lying on a long settee in the front room, and Brook on one knee next to her. Her hat was gone and the top buttons of her collar undone. Good God.

Brook had a damp cloth in hand and put it on her forehead. She forced herself to remember … the kitchen … a door … the back hallway—the rush of utter terror had snaked through Alex and slammed her flat. “Faugh. I walked into that one like a green apprentice.”

“Walked into what?”

“If-if an emotional imprint is strong and you’re not braced, it’s like stepping blind from a cliff. You get a nasty jolt. That one was … exceptional.”

“What caused it?”

“Someone took Mrs. Veltre against her will. She was frightened to death, tried to fight but—did you smell ether?”

“I was busy getting you off the floor. Anything injured? You made quite a thump.”

She took stock. “I’m fine. I haven’t as far to fall as some people.” Barriers restored, if brittle, she sensed his amusement. “What, no alarm? You’re getting used to the job?”

“Plenty of alarm, I thought you’d been shot by one of those damned air rifles.”

“Oh.”

“It was a considerable relief to find you breathing and unpunctured.”

He would have left that emotion behind, contaminating the area. She’d allow for it on a second Reading. “Have you much experience dealing with fainting females?”

“Not directly. I read a lot. Ladies seem to faint in books and in plays far more often than in real life. In your case I went with my instincts. Couldn’t find any smelling salts, though.”

“For which I am grateful.”

With some caution, she sat up, found that standing was possible, and did so. She had collected a few more bruises but nothing worse.

“You’re not dizzy?”

“It was a psychical shock, a bit different from a theatrical swoon.”

He offered his flask.

She shook her head, lips going tight.

Gently eschewing his offered arm, she made her own way toward the kitchen. Doing up her collar, she was careful to block any emotions he might have left when he’d touched the buttons. She did not want to know what he’d felt. That would complicate things and … distract her.

This time Alex entered the back hall with more caution, slowly easing open her internal barriers. She separated Brook’s fresh traces and sought the older imprint of sheer panic. The intensity of emotion was like an explosion, brief and devastating. Veltre had been surprised, fought desperately, and then abruptly faded. Though no scent remained, Alex was sure the smothering feeling was due to ether having been used.

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