Once the butler had taken his leave, Lyra reluctantly set aside the leather-bound novel. After taking a restorative nap, she’d woken with the desire to read, ironically enough, about second chances. Unfortunately, Jane Austen’sPersuasionwould have to wait a bit longer for her to finish, but considering the heroine, Anne Elliot waited seven years for the love of her life to find her again, she supposed she could wait a couple more hours.
Captain Wentworth’s letter though…
Lyra could only imagine what Alister might say if he knew she was a true romantic at heart, one who yearned for just that sort of passion. Granted, she’d told him of her inner desires, but she doubted that he really believed how far those yearnings went, or that she felt just as tortured over her past mistakes as Miss Elliot had.
Of course, her mother would tell her that she needed to quit spending so much time living in a fantasy world, but what point was there to life when you couldn’t escape for a time and believe in the healing magic of unrequited love?
In light of her earlier encounter with Richard where half of London had been there to witness her shame, she needed something positive to focus on. Especially now when she was faced with another terrifying recounting ofthatday.
With a sigh, she went to her dressing table and checked her appearance in the mirror to make sure she was presentable before heading to the parlor.
“Lady Weston.” The barrister bowed respectfully upon seeing her. “I trust you are well?”
With a tight smile, she managed to reply, “I’m well enough.”
He frowned slightly at her cryptic statement, although he didn’t remark upon it. After she took a seat across from him, he opened his writing desk and began to take out his supplies. “I assume Albright will be joining us shortly?”
“I’m not sure. He’s out at the moment.”
“Ah.”
Lyra wondered at his vague answer, for there seemed to be a wealth of meaning in that single syllable, but seeing as how it wasn’t her business to pry, she kept silent on the matter.
The barrister frowned. “I thought I might try something different today, but without our reliable witness…”
“He’s here.”
Lyra felt the breath leave her lungs in a rush as the duke walked in. His entire demeanor was one of power and authority as he handed over his gloves and greatcoat to the butler who had followed him into the room. His auburn hair was windblown and his expression was intent, as if he’d rushed to get there. Combined with his attire—a sapphire blue waistcoat and matching jacket, with a pair of thigh-hugging, black trousers that disappeared into a gleaming pair of Hessians—Lyra found herself unable to look away from such a commanding presence. How was it possible that anyone in the ton could characterize such a man as an imbecile?
Mr. Lyridon stood, and the two men greeted each other with a handshake and a brief, murmured conversation. Finally, the duke turned that heated, brown gaze on her.
Lyra instantly felt her pulse skip. Perhaps it was only her imagination, but his voice seemed a bit huskier than usual when he asked, “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.” And in that moment, she realized she was. With Alister by her side, she could face anything.
He seemed to take her at her word, for he gave a brief nod and took a seat near the door like he had during the last interview. In turn, Lyra clasped her hands in her lap and turned her attention back to the barrister who had sat back down across from her.
“As I started to say,” Mr. Lyridon began again, “I wanted to try something different today, although it might seem a bit…strange to you.” He paused briefly. “I don’t suppose you are familiar with the German physician, Dr. Franz Mesmer and his theories on animal magnetism?”
Lyra didn’t even hesitate. “Do you mean his works onMesmerismus oder System der Wechselwirkungen. Theorie und Anwendung des thierischen Magnetismus?”
“Uh…” For a moment, that was his only reply before he blinked a couple of times and replied in somewhat of a daze, “Yes…as a matter of fact…”
She offered a tentative smile. “I like to read.” Straightening her shoulders, she added, “To answer your question, I am well acquainted with most of Dr. Mesmer’s memoirs. The one I mentioned I actually acquired for my library. His works on astronomy and the natural energy we all possess have been quite popular for the past several decades, even if some of his healing methods involving magnets on the body have been rather unorthodox for some.” Suddenly, the barrister’s words sank in, and she asked hesitantly, “Are you suggesting that…?”
Talon was already shaking his head. “No. While Ididstudy mesmerism in Paris with Henin de Cuvillers, a follower of Dr. Mesmer’s practices, he didn’t practice animal magnetism so much as using mental suggestion in his treatments. He called this new processhypnotique.”
Lyra bit her lip. “How does that work?”
“Well,” Talon said slowly. “Instead of using your body’s magnetic aura to put you in a trance-like state, I will do it using soft, calming tones and focal points. If you will permit the procedure, my hope is that it will open your mind enough to recall the missing pieces following your struggle with Lord Weston.”
Lyra swallowed nervously, but she forced herself to take a deep breath. “What do you want me to do?”
Mr. Lyridon leaned forward and took hold of her hand. “Just focus all of your attention on my eyes and try to relax your body. Concentrate on your breathing and slowly start counting backward from one hundred until you get tired, but not so far that you actually fall asleep.”
Lyra glanced over at Alister, who was a silent but focused observer. His strength passed to her, and she looked back at the barrister and stared into his silver eyes. In the back of her mind, she began the countdown.100, 99, 98, 97…
She was probably somewhere in the seventies when the sound of the ticking clock finally receded into the distance and Talon’s face became a strange blur between reality and a semi-conscious dream.
