A surreptitious glance around showed that Julianna had paused to adjust the workings of the trough battery with one hand, the aim of her weapon angling askew as her attention momentarily shifted to releasing a lever—
Charlotte spun around and smacked the pistol from her captor’s hand.
With an angry hiss, Julianna grabbed up a long metal conducting rod attached to a length of copper wire and gave a menacing swing, trying to force Charlotte back against the padded table.
Sparks flew from its tip as she danced back. The air crackled as one of the tiny embers caused a flame to lick up from the linen of her chemise. Ducking low, Charlotte managed to bat out the fire and draw her knife just as Julianna came at her again.
* **
Cordelia came to a halt. “Up ahead, we must pass through an archway and into a small picture gallery. At the other end is an opening, which leads into a wood-paneled corridor. At the first turn, there’s a door built into the decorative fluting of the wall.”
Wrexford could just make out a darker shape within the gloom. “You two wait here.”
“Wrex—” began Sheffield.
“Competent as Lady Cordelia appears, she’ll be a distraction if things turn violent. And we can’t leave her alone. This cursed place is too dangerous.”
His friend didn’t argue. “Godspeed,” he murmured.
The earl was already moving. The archway door was ajar, and he eased through the crack. A small domed skylight allowed in a glimmer of light, just enough to illuminate the figure standing still as a statue in the center of the gallery.
“I thought you might show up,” intoned Justinian DeVere. “I’m sorry it’s come to this.” He pursed his lips. “Julianna is brilliant, you know. Absolutely brilliant.”
“She’s a vicious, deranged murderess,” responded Wrexford.
“You don’t understand. The murder of her parents was a grave shock at an early age. As a result, she suffers from certain unfortunate impulses. But these things often accompany genius. The result will be worth—”
“Don’t you dare seek to justify what you’ve allowed.” The earl made to move by him. “Get out of my way.”
DeVere caught his arm. “It’s too late, I’m afraid. I regret what’s happened, but we both know that scientific discovery requires sacrifices. I will make arrangements after tonight to have Julianna confined in a private facility . . .”
Wrexford heard a tinysnickas the other man pulled his hand from his pocket. Pivoting, he smashed his elbow into DeVere’s ribs just as the scholar pulled the trigger of his pocket pistol, causing the bullet to shatter one of the priceless Oriental vases.
“Wrex!” Sheffield burst into the room, his own weapon at the ready.
“Take charge of this miscreant,” called the earl, shoving DeVere to the floor and breaking into a run.
* * *
Backing away, Julianna set aside the rod and snatched up a deadly-looking scalpel from the table of tools beside the trough battery. “You wish to cross blades with me? So be it—you need to die one way or another. I became quite skilled with a knife in India, as I studied anatomy as part of my scientific training.” She glided forward. “So I’ll take pleasure in sliding my sharpened steel into your heart for trying to stand in the way of Progress.”
The silvery point flicked back and forth, like the forked tongue of a serpent seeking to scent its prey.
“You are welcome to try.” Charlotte dropped to a wary crouch and shifted her grip on the hilt. She was no stranger to wielding a knife in self-defense. There had been occasions when she had been forced to ward off footpads. Once or twice, she had even drawn blood.
But never had the clashes been a fight to the death.
“I suggest you surrender,” counseled Julianna. “Poison will be far more pleasant.”
Charlotte slid a step to her left so as not to be trapped against a metal cabinet.
Flick-flick.The scalpel continued its sinuous probing.
“Because Iwillkill you. Imust.” Her rising voice had a manic trill. “You see, the cards have predicted that I possess special powers and am destined for greatness.”
Julianna was beyond madness, thought Charlotte, keeping her feet moving. Beyond humanity. She must find a way to use that to her advantage. In a battle of steel against steel, her adversary held the edge.
Think!What would Wrexford—the master of dispassionate logic—counsel?
