The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick
“Yes,” she said softly. “We have an understanding.”
A discreet cough from the doorway made them both turn toward the entrance. Edmund and Patricia stood there, expressions carefully composed.
“This had better be important,” Caleb said. He did not release Lucinda.
“Inspector Spellar just sent word that Ellerbeck died during the night,” Edmund said. “He never regained consciousness.”
“Hell,” Caleb said. “That means I won’t get any answers out of him.”
“I killed him,” Lucinda whispered, stunned. “It was only a heavy dose of a sleeping drug but combined with the damage the formula had already done, it was more than enough to kill. Heaven help me, I knew it at the time.”
“Hush,” Caleb said, tightening his grip on her. “He would have been dead within a day or two in any event.”
“Yes, but not by my hand.”
He cast a quick, meaningful glance at Edmund and Patricia. They both vanished without another word, closing the door very softly.
Gently Caleb drew Lucinda to the pair of chairs in front of the hearth. He pushed her lightly into one and sat down next to her. Reaching out, he took her hand in his and threaded her fingers through his own.
For a long time they sat there, gazing into the fire, hands tightly clasped.
After a while, Caleb spoke. “You were right the other night when you told me that there would be times like this in the years ahead,” he said. “Times when the results of our actions will be difficult to live with.”
“Yes,” she said.
“The only way I will be able to do this work is if I know that I will always have you by my side. Marry me, Lucinda.”
“Oh, Caleb,” she said gently. “You would go so far as to marry me just to ensure that the agency carries only the Jones name?”
“I would walk into the fires of hell to marry you, Lucinda.”
A great sense of certainty rushed through her. He would do exactly that, she thought. Without a moment’s hesitation.
“Caleb,” she whispered.
He rose and pulled her up out of the chair and back into his arms.
“Early on I told you that I was not convinced there was such a thing as love because I could not define it,” he said quietly. “But I comprehend it now. It is the overwhelming sensation that struck me the first time I saw you. Even before that. The moment I saw your name on the message you sent requesting my services, I knew, somehow, that I would need you in ways I could never explain. I love you, Lucinda. Now and for whatever lies beyond.”
She put her arms around his neck. “I fell in love with you the first time you entered this room. I will love you always. Of course I will marry you.”
She went up onto her toes and brushed her lips lightly across his. He wrapped her close and kissed her, sealing the solemn vows between them. They stood there, holding each other very tightly for a long time.
FORTY-SEVEN
One month later . . .
The noise of the construction going on below in the gardens was annoying but the day was too fine to close the windows.
Caleb stood with Gabe at the long laboratory workbench. Together they contemplated the array of notes, papers, journals and records that had been removed from Ellerbeck’s house.
“The vast majority of the materials here relate to Ellerbeck’s botanical experiments,” Caleb said. “He attempted some work on the formula but it is clear he was out of his depth. So was Thaxter. That was why they hired Hulsey and son.”
“I suppose it was too much to expect that we would find a neat diagram that described the various Circles of the Order and identified the leaders,” Gabe said, studying the heap of papers.
“The Cabal behind this affair is very good when it comes to strategy. So good, in fact, that I suspect the leader and perhaps his closest associates have a talent for such elaborate planning and secrecy.”
“Strategy talents?” Gabe looked intrigued. “Makes sense.”
“Damn it, we need a more complete record of the talents of the various members of the Society.”
“That won’t be easy. In fact, I’m sure it would be impossible to identify the talents of even a fraction of the members. This organization has existed in the shadows for two hundred years. We are, all of us, including you and me, Cousin, very obsessed with keeping secrets. The habit is in our blood.”
Caleb rubbed the back of his neck and exhaled deeply. “I must get back to work on that psychical taxonomy chart.”
“Lucinda is right. You don’t have time to do everything. You must learn to concentrate on the most important objectives.”
Light footsteps sounded in the hall outside the chamber. A pleasant sense of anticipation whispered through Caleb. He would know those dainty, high-heeled boots anywhere.
The door opened. Lucinda swept into the room, bringing fresh energy and the warmth of the sun with her. She carried a small box in one hand. He noticed she looked very pleased with herself.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” she said cheerfully. “A lovely day, is it not?”
Gabe smiled. “Indeed it is. You appear to be in excellent spirits this afternoon, Mrs. Jones.”
The wedding had taken place a week earlier. The guest list had comprised the entire Jones family and the residents of Guppy Lane. The crowd had filled the conservatory. Caleb suspected that Lucinda’s former neighbors in Landreth Square would be talking about it for months.
“About time you got here, my love.” Caleb rose and crossed the room to where she stood. He kissed her, savoring the little rush of satisfaction that accompanied the act. “The workmen have been pestering me for instructions. I have explained to them on several occasions that it is your conservatory that they are building and that they must get their directions from you.”
“I do hope they have made some progress.” Lucinda whisked up her skirts and hurried to the window to look down. “Oh, good, the herb wing is coming along quite nicely.”
Gabe smiled at Caleb. “A conservatory is a most unusual wedding gift to give your bride.”
“It is nothing compared to the amazing gift that she gave me,” Caleb said with great feeling.
“Herself?” Gabe was amused. “What a very romantic notion, Cousin. Didn’t think you had it in you to be carried away by such poetical flights of fancy.”
Lucinda turned away from the window and walked back toward the men. “Caleb was not referring to my person. My wedding gift to him consisted of the Shutes. They very kindly agreed to take charge of this household. Luckily they have had some experience with an eccentric employer. Henceforth Caleb will not need to worry about finding new staff on the first of every month.”
Gabe nodded. “That explains the expression of rapture on his face.”
Caleb looked at the box in Lucinda’s hand. “What have you got there?”
“New cards for our firm.” Lucinda removed the lid of the box. “They have both of our names imprinted on them.”
Gabe chuckled. “You won that battle, did you?”
“Certainly,” she said. She extracted a crisp white pasteboard and held it so that he could read.
“Jones and Jones.” Gabe laughed. “Has a ring to it.”
Caleb smiled at Lucinda, basking in the bright, warm, effervescent energy that shimmered in the air around her.
“Yes it does,” he said. “It sounds right.”
Amanda Quick, The Perfect Poison
(Series: # )