Sebastian’s eyes were set forward. “Zhang, try to cross the barrier on the astral plane now.”
Zhang’s eyelashes began fluttering, like he was in a dreaming sleep. “Jesus, Sebastian, you obliterated the guardian ring.”
“I’m angry,” Sebastian said, in a quiet tone that reminded Wesley that for all his sweetness, he could be very dangerous when he chose to be.
Zhang’s eyelashes were still moving. “Key is in the guardhouse,” he said. “Hanging on the south wall, about five feet above the floor, second hook from the right. Just a little higher. Another inch to the right.”
In the passenger seat next to Wesley, Jade’s face was set with concentration. A moment later, a key ring with a single large key came floating their way. The key floated out through the bars of the gate and inserted itself into the padlock.
“Oh,” Wesley said weakly as the lock opened and the chain fell to the ground. “I suppose this is one way to solve our problem.”
The gate swung itself open for the Bentley. Wesley drove them along the graceful drive for a quarter mile before the trees cleared and the manor loomed in front of him. The sprawling, gothic structure was exactly as he remembered from three years prior, the endless row of arched windows, the peaked roof above the wide front stairs and the dome with the turret on top.
As Wesley pulled the car between the front door and the giant fountain, a white man in a butler’s long tails and gloves was hurrying toward them, old-fashioned even by Wesley’s curmudgeonly standards.
He leaned over the doorframe as the man approached.
“Excuse me,” the butler started, “but how did you get in? And who are—”
“The Viscount Fine,” Wesley interrupted, ignoring his first question. “Where the hell is Blanshard? I need to speak to him at once.”
The butler wrung his hands. “I’m sorry, sir, but the earl is in London.”
“What?” Wesley snapped, like he was surprised. “When I’ve come all this way? How outrageous.”
“My lord—”
“This entire appointment is his fault,” Wesley went on, which was perfectly true, “and now you’re telling me he doesn’t intend to show? I came up from London myself for this. Am I to sit in his driveway with my American associates until he can be bothered to take a train?”
The butler winced. “I’m sure this is a misunderstanding,” he said, a little desperately. “Please come in and enjoy the earl’s hospitality while I sort everything out.”
He opened Wesley’s door as a footman came hurrying over to get Jade’s door for her, and then the backseat. Wesley was relieved to see Sebastian behaving like a man with some sense, not calling attention to himself and his likely resemblance to his brother with his head ducked and his cap pulled low.
Their group of four was escorted into the foyer and then into a chilly parlor with no fire in the grate. “Apologies, we’ll see to it,” the butler promised, looking very harried.
“This is highly irregular,” Wesley said, in his curtest tone. “Take me to the phone. I’m going to call the earl myself.”
“I’ll join you,” Zhang said, which Wesley now knew probably meant he’d get Zhang’s body while his astral projection gallivanted off with the paranormals.
“We’ll wait here,” Jade said, her sweet voice completely at odds with Wesley’s sharp tones. “We’ve surprised you terribly today. If the earl is out, perhaps you’re short-staffed? It’s all right if we need to wait.”
The butler shot her a grateful look. “That’s very understanding of you, miss.”
“I’m afraid I’m not nearly so understanding,” Wesley cut in. “The phone. Now.”
“Of course, sir.” The butler’s smile looked rather plastered to his face as he led Wesley and Zhang out of the parlor.
Sebastian frowned as the door closed behind Wesley and Zhang’s physical body.
“I’m with him,” Zhang’s astral projection promised. “The servants will certainly be calling or telegramming the earl themselves to tell him Lord Fine is here, but we’re safe enough to separate for now. The manor is very leanly staffed and most of them are in another wing, in the kitchen.”
“Lord Fine’s map had the trophy room one floor up,” said Jade. “Let’s start there.”
They slipped out of the parlor and walked on silent feet down a long carpeted hall lined with portraits.
“Blond man in a ruffled cravat. Blond man in breeches. Blond man in a waistcoat.” Jade eyed the portraits. “Was there not one single Blanshard ancestor with even a wife? How did today’s Earl of Blanshard come to exist?”
“Maid’s coming,” said Zhang’s projection.
