Gabriel eagerly accepted the outstretched paper. He unfoldedit to see the line drawing of a skinny male face framed with thin hair. The accompanying text was in German, but the printed nameThomas Bauerglared. Gabriel knew just enough of the language to piece together the rest, and his blood grew cold. “Is this an obituary?” “Yes. For Thomas Bauer, phrenologist. According to this clipping he died two years ago.”
Miss Wilde’s words about her mother’s journal entry flashed in his mind.
Mr. Bauer has blue eyes, not brown.
The man they’d been interacting with was not Thomas Bauer. The real Mr. Bauer had blue eyes and, according to this piece, was dead. The man entertaining the Society guests, whatever his name, was not just a fraud. He was an impostor.
Chapter 31
ELLA HAD TOcalm down. If there had ever been a doubt, their conversation at dinner confirmed it: She would never ever marry Abraham Abernathy.
The heels of her satin slippers clipped the wooden floor as she fled the White Parlor to the great hall, where the guests were already gathering for the fourth night of phrenological demonstrations.
My passions are not hobbies. My goals are important.
Her pace increased. If her father would not put an end to this monstrosity and tell Abraham Abernathy that she would not marry him, then she would.
And she would do it tonight.
Silently practicing the words she’d employ, Ella turned the corner into the great hall. Guests filled the space, and chatter, happier and livelier than she’d noticed the entire event, surrounded her, yet even with all the people present, she had never felt lonelier in her own home.
She scanned the hall, unsure of where to go and what to do.
Phoebe and Miss Sutton sat up near the front in their usual seats, but they’d not saved one for her. Gabriel had not returnedsince he disappeared during dinner. The other ladies were happily engaged with their husbands. Determined to avoid Mr. Abernathy at any cost, she moved to the back row of chairs and sat down.
Dozens of candles were scattered around the room for light, and a fire blazed in the long hearth. The windows were open to combat the heat of so many people gathered, and a damp breeze flowed in.
When Mr. Bauer took the stage to start the demonstration, perspiration beaded his forehead. His face flushed, and he swiped his handkerchief over his brow. “I have so enjoyed getting to spend these days with you, my friends. I’m sorry to say that my colleague, Mr. Gutt, is not feeling well today, so I am working alone now, but never fear. This is my passion, my joy, my zest! It might take a few moments longer than normal to organize my thoughts, but rest assured, I am at my best.
“Tomorrow morning I will lecture on phrenology and the effects on education, but I’m painfully aware that our time together will soon come to an end. I hope I’ve enlightened you to the wonders of the human body and the mind. All ventures into new and unknown territories, be they physical or philosophical, require a certain amount of energy, imagination, and capital to ensure they are fully explored and responsibly executed. I appeal to each of you members, as philosophers, as lovers of this human race, to contribute your support to the research I conduct.”
Ella winced. He was asking for money. Was this it? Was this how he was going to obtain the money he owed his debtors? She looked around the great hall for Gabriel once again. He needed to know about this.
A hum of whispers circulated. Holding her breath, she watched for reactions.
Mr. Bauer procured a wooden box and started it around the audience. To her surprise, the group, accustomed to such appeals, took his petition in stride. The box passed from member to member, and each person, refusing to be outdone by his neighbor, contributed.
And she was helpless to stop it.
Mr. Bauer moved on to the demonstration, calling first on Mr. Hawthorne and then Mr. Templeton. When nothing new or insignificant occurred, Ella thought the evening would pass without further fanfare, but then Mr. Bauer shifted.
“Two men so far!” he exclaimed, dragging his handkerchief over his brow once more. “What interesting men they were. So now have I a lady volunteer?”
Mr. Bauer turned his attention toward Ella.
Their eyes locked. She suddenly felt ill.
He’s going to call on me.
“As our gracious hostess, Miss Wilde, would you not like to come and sit for an assessment? I know you have a specific interest in the topic.”
All eyes turned to her.
Her heart seemed to stop. He intended to intimidate—or humiliate—her. What else could he be doing?
His volume increased. “You impressed me when you spoke earlier today. Your distinctive interests and motivations would provide a fascinating phrenological assessment. So what say you?”
She froze.
