Chapter 12 #2
“To me and Evie as well.” Xenia cleared her throat. “Seraphina, do you think it is possible that the three of us have accessed the emotions and memories of Rosalinda?”
“It is possible, yes,” Finn said. “When spirits have unfinished business, they may choose to linger and make their energetic presence felt. They create a tear in the veil, through which we in the mortal realm can, temporarily, experience the other side.”
“My wife tells me you have the ability to speak with the dead,” Manderly said.
His politely neutral manner likely served him well as a politician.
“I can facilitate such communications, yes,” Finn said with a regal nod. “Under specific circumstances, my abilities allow the spirits to speak through me.”
“According to my lady, you believe Rosalinda spoke to you in visions and brought you here.” Lord Ethan arched a dark brow. “For what purpose?”
“One can never be certain of a spirit’s intentions. But I believe Rose wishes me to uncover secrets.”
“What kind of secrets?” Manderly asked.
“The kind that keep a soul from finding peace.”
At her reply, fraught silence filled the drawing room. The only sound came from Tansy, who was slurping tea to wash down the heap of sandwiches she’d consumed.
“Is that what we can expect at today’s performance?” Grantley’s tone conveyed that he was no fool, nor would he suffer one readily. “Will we witness you chatting with Rosalinda and Bloody Thom?”
“I will not be conducting a sitting today, Your Grace.”
With satisfaction, Finn saw the confused looks. A good scheme involved subverting expectations and keeping the marks off balance.
“Oh.” Xenia’s disappointment was evident. “May I ask why not?”
You have them hooked. Reel them in.
“A séance must be properly planned,” Finn said smoothly.
“In order for the spirits to grace us with their presence, we must first ensure that the environment is suitable. The dead are notoriously picky. I must first examine the manor and gather what I term ‘impressions’—sensory clues left by the spirits that will help me to determine the best room, lighting, and even temperature for the sitting. My assistants will be taking measurements as well, using a spirit rod and other equipment I calibrated for this purpose.”
“I had no idea a séance involved such complexity,” Evie murmured.
“They are far from simple,” Finn said.
“What about Mrs. Elmwood?” Owen asked.
Finn turned to him, brows arched. “What about her?”
“You chose her at random, did you not?” He frowned. “You didn’t have time to prepare to channel her husband.”
Finn had to admire his logic. Luckily, she enjoyed a battle of wits.
“Before the sitting, my assistants and I cleansed the room of energetic residue,” she said.
“Our efforts amplified the signal from beyond the veil. Moreover, Gerald Elmwood’s relatively recent passing meant his connection to the living realm remained quite intact.
His handkerchief still retained a strong impression, which aided my search for him on the spiritual plane. ”
This time, Lord Ethan didn’t try to hide his snort. “That is a rather convenient explanation.”
“I try to keep things simple for the uninitiated.” She smiled blandly.
“By contrast, Thomas and Rosalinda have been dead for many decades. Their earthly connection to this manor is more fragile. Furthermore, many people have come and gone in the intervening years, which makes sorting impressions rather like separating a pile of grains and seeds. It requires a great deal of effort and time.”
“Let me guess,” Grantley said. “You are compensated by the hour—ouch.”
He rubbed his side where his duchess had daintily inserted her elbow.
“We understand that the process cannot be rushed,” Gigi said. “We trust your expertise and put ourselves entirely in your hands, Seraphina.”
“Will you begin taking impressions today?” Evie asked.
Everything is going according to plan. Now to divide and conquer.
“Yes, I shall start with a general survey of the property,” Finn said. “I would appreciate your guidance as I examine the grounds to gather initial impressions. Meanwhile, my assistants will prepare the main rooms and begin taking measurements.”
She gestured at the Hawks, who exuded somber competence—except for Tansy, whose cheeks were puffed out with cake. When the ladies agreed to the plan, Finn rose, filled with victory. Once she got everyone out, her team could search for the jewels—
“I believe I shall remain indoors.” With casual insouciance, Lord Ethan put a spoke in her wheel. “I am curious to see your assistants at work.”
Before Finn could think of a way to gainsay him, Grantley waded in.
“I’ll join you, Ethan. I, too, am curious about the measurements.” She heard him mutter under his breath, “And anything else they plan to take.”
Caleb kept his expression schooled, but Simon looked a bit panicked.
“Come to think of it, I have been wondering how a spirit rod works,” Gigi said.
“Then stay with us, duchess.” Her husband’s expression turned sardonic. “Madame Seraphina strikes me as a woman who can find her own way.”
Drat. Any excuse Finn could think of to get everyone out of the house seemed too obvious. At least she could divert Owen, Xenia, and the Manderlys—
Tansy staggered to her feet. “I don’t feel well.”
She did, in fact, look alarmingly green around the gills.
“Oh, dear,” Xenia murmured. “You had best come with me, Tansy.”
“I will help,” Evie said.
The ladies left with a queasy Tansy between them.
“I’ll stay behind in case extra hands are needed,” Manderly said. “Owen, you know the grounds better than anyone. Why don’t you give Madame Seraphina the tour?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Owen said.
But Finn barely heard him; she was struggling to keep her balance as her scheme turned to quicksand beneath her feet. She caught Caleb’s smirk and Nell’s worried frown. Meanwhile, Simon looked ready to bolt, and Tansy was likely casting up her accounts somewhere.
Everything was a mess—because Finn hadn’t been up to the task.
A cold voice surfaced, and she couldn’t shut it out.
You’re no good to anyone. No one loves you, and you’ll always be alone.