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.He was crying.He needed to gain control of himself and stop.Immediately.Rather than say another word, he feigned a swoon and managed to thumphis head hard on the table in front of him.Ouch.His forehead bounced on thewood.He turned his cheek to rest on the tablecloth but kept his eyes shut.The tearsstill slid down his cheeks.Tory, poor little Tory, he thought.The serious girl inthe photograph was long gone, he expected.And so was Lily.It was all justechoes.He didn t move, waiting for the tears to stop, while the ladies and theone gentleman around the table called for burnt feathers, smelling salts, brandy.Oliver allowed himself a full minute of simply breathing and relaxing beforehe opened his eyes to see all the concerned faces around him. You were wonderful, Mrs.Stull said as he sat up, feeling as groggy as hemight if he d actually fainted or fallen asleep. I am so reassured.He could only nod.It was beyond him to touch her hand and murmur thesoothing false words he usually employed at this point of the proceedings.Howcould she be reassured? He d given her nothing.Found& nothing.The howlingwent on inside him.This new reality he d stumbled over was raw and jagged.He wanted toreturn to the comfort of his old pretenses.But he didn t expect to be comfortableagain, unless he could find Robert Court and demand he hold him.How oddthat the catalyst of his horrible newfound skills, the very man who wouldprobably throw him in prison, should offer the one refuge Oliver sought.He straightened his tie, pulled out his handkerchief and wiped his face.82 www.samhainpublishing.comThe Psychic and the Sleuth Will you stay and have tea with us? Mrs.Stull asked.The others, with theirshiny, reverent faces, nodded and murmured their hopes that he would honorthem with his presence.Christ, no.The need to escape pressed in on him, the same sensation he d feltin Lady Markham s rooms and during those few days he d held a regular job.Perhaps the bothersome spirits had always been chasing him away from otherpeople.He almost laughed aloud. I am most grateful, he managed to say as he fumbled his gloves from hispocket and pulled them on.He would have fled without payment if Mrs.Stullhadn t gently pressed the envelope into his hand.He usually asked for the donations beforehand, to keep him from being distracted, he explained to hishosts, and allow him to leave this plane of existence.Mrs.Stull led him to the front door herself, trying to lend him the use of hercarriage, pleading with him to come back and sit down, for he seemed far toowan. You must still have one foot in the ethereal world, she said with a touchof wonder.He refused as politely as possible and almost sprinted to the door.When heopened it, a familiar form stood on the doorstep, hand raised to the knocker.Court didn t appear surprised to find him standing there, but Oliver felt ajolt of something akin to joy at the unexpected sight of the detective.The manhadn t warned him he d be coming tonight.Court looked past Oliver and removed his hat before nodding at theirhostess. Am I late, Mrs.Stull? Oh, Mr.Peeler, I am so sorry.Lady Markham wasn t certain if you wouldbe one of our guests today.Poor Mr.Marsh suffered a turn, so we had to cutshort our communion with the other side.He insists on leaving.I wish I couldmake him take my carriage.www.samhainpublishing.com 83Bonnie Dee and Summer DevonCourt turned those cool gray eyes on Oliver. He does seem rather pale.Have no fear, ma am, I shall escort him home. There is no need, Oliver said like an idiot.Please yes, he thought.Come backwith me.Court rocked back on his heels and looked him up and down. If youfainted, Mr.Marsh, I hardly think you should wander the streets alone.Marsh wasn t about to protest any longer.He thanked his hostess again andwalked slowly down the stairs.They walked away while Mrs.Stull watched. I did not faint, Oliver said. Hmm.Pretended to, then?Mr.Court had seen him at his worst, or rather at his strangest, but stillseemed unimpressed by the touch of the eerie in him.Such a firm comfort of aman, and suddenly Marsh felt almost lighthearted. You will not trick me intoadmitting to trickery, Inspector. You are pale, though.Perhaps we should stop for a drink. God, now thegruff concern in Court s voice unsettled him.Oliver s emotions raced up anddown he hadn t felt such careening since he was a boy of fifteen. You do not need to coddle me.I am not a tender young girl, he growled. Girl, most definitely not.Tender and young, perhaps.Oliver stopped walking. What are you saying, Mr.Court?Court stood next to him and pushed his hands into his trouser pockets. Perhaps you need a cup of tea instead of a stronger drink.I wouldn t want tohave to carry you back to your lodgings, though strolling down the street with aman slung over my shoulder might be an interesting& novelty. He turned hisgaze to a starling pecking at an apple core, but the corners of his mouth were84 www.samhainpublishing [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]