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Chapters (40)
  1. Cover
  2. About the Author
  3. Dedication
  4. Map
  5. I
  6. II
  7. III
  8. IV
  9. V
  10. VI
  11. VII
  12. VIII
  13. IX
  14. X
  15. XI
  16. XII
  17. XIII
  18. XIV
  19. XV
  20. XVI
  21. XVII
  22. XVIII
  23. XIX
  24. XX
  25. XXI
  26. XXII
  27. XXIII
  28. XXIV
  29. XXV
  30. XXVI
  31. XXVII
  32. XXVIII
  33. XXIX
  34. XXX
  35. XXXI
  36. XXXII
  37. Seven Years Later
  38. Epilogue
  39. Acknowledgements
  40. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING

‘No,’ I said, and he looked hurt at the forcefulness of my tone. I squeezed his hand to show that I appreciated him. ‘I want your help, of course, but we have to be cautious. You have your business to think of. If anyone saw you, it would be too easy to track you down.’

And I wouldn’t want Grace to let anything slip about Vincent and me, I thought.

‘I will go to Elvira,’ I said. ‘She promised she’d be on standby to help me with whatever I need, and neither Crillick nor the Peelers would take the liberties with her that they might take with you.’

Lucien’s cheek twitched. It angered him that he couldn’t help in the way he wanted to but he saw that what I said was right.

I knew Elvira lived in Mayfair. Could I get there tonight? I looked at the darkening sky – it was coming up to dinner time – but this was my best chance. Tomorrow I would have to be onstage and I couldn’t afford to rouse Crillick’s wrath by missing any more performances. Not after my unexplained illness. I turned on my heel back towards Marble Arch. Lucien followed after me.

‘I can see you are ready to act now, Zillah, but are you ready to talk about what happens after? What comes next once the Leopard Lady and her child are safe?’

I hadn’t got that far. I was still reeling from learning where the Odditorium was.

Lucien opened his mouth to say more, but before he could go any further, I interrupted.

‘I’ll get to it, Lucien, I will, but for now I must do what I can to rescue this woman and her child.’

We stood facing one another. Lucien had put his hand on my arm to delay my leaving, but I couldn’t help looking over my shoulder to the main road. At last, he said, ‘I understand, Zillah. What I have to say can wait. Come, I will help you find a carriage.’

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XXVII

To Mayfair

Lucien flagged a Hansom cab and paid the driver to take me to Berkeley Square. I was grateful for his help but glad he hadn’t come with me. He was throwing up too many complications and, having failed to realise where the Odditorium was, I felt that acting quickly was the best way to make amends.