At once, there was a flurry of movement; I thought that Lady Clarence had dropped her money onto the table, for her hands darted around quickly. But then I realized, with horror, that one of her hands was reaching for the jar of powder, which Eliza and I had not yet corked, at the center of the table, and her other hand stretched open her pocket. She intended to take the lustrous green powder, no matter my wishes.

I lunged for the jar—snatching it from her fingertips at the last moment and bumping into Eliza with such force that she nearly fell off her box—and did the only thing that came to mind: I tossed the jar of poisonous cantharides powder into the flames of the fire behind me.

The flames exploded into a bright green flare, in an instant rendering the poison worthless. I stared at the fireplace in astonishment, hardly able to believe that a night and morning’s worth of work had just been so readily destroyed. My hands shaking, I turned very slowly to see Lady Clarence, flushed and astounded, and little Eliza, eyes wide as eggs, staring back at me.

“I cannot—” Lady Clarence stuttered. “I can’t—” Her eyes darted around the room like mice, searching for a second jar, more powder. “Have you gone mad? The party is tomorrow evening!”

“There is no more,” I told her, before motioning to the door.

Lady Clarence glared at me, then turned to Eliza. “My gloves,” she demanded. Eliza sprang into action, delicately lifting the gloves from the drying rack and handing them to Lady Clarence. She began to pull the gloves on, shoving her fingers deep into them one at a time. After several heavy breaths, she spoke again. “You can easily make me another batch, I’m sure,” she said.

God, this woman was insufferable. I threw my hands up in dismay. “Is there not some physician that you can bribe? Why must you put this on me, after I’ve refused you twice?”

She draped her veil over her face, the delicate strands of lace reminding me of hemlock leaves.

“You fool,” she retorted from behind her lace. “Don’t you think I’ve considered every physician, every known apothecary, in the city? I don’t want to be caught. Do you even know your own distinction?” She paused, straightening her gown. “It’s been a mistake to place my trust in you. But there’s little use in reversing my decision now.” She glanced down at her gloved hands, counting off a few fingers. “You made the powder in only a day, is that right?”

I furrowed my brow in confusion. What did it matter at this point? “Yes,” I muttered.