Page 107 of Her Scandalous Pursuit

“I’m beginning to doubt that,” Desmond muttered.

“A hard worker. I’ve come to regard you with great affection. You’re practically a son to me.”

“A son? You abducted me!” Desmond’s voice rose. He was finding it more difficult by the moment to remain calm and clearheaded. Anger and impatience welled in him.

“That’s a harsh way to put it.”

“How else could I put it?” Desmond drew a breath, pulling his voice back to reasonable calm. He needed to win this argument, not infuriate these fanatics. He could not allow them to push him into a rage. “Gentlemen, I fear this is pointless. I shan’t be able to use the Eye. I seriously doubt that anyone can.” Except perhaps someone in Thisbe’s line, but that thought was one to avoid at all costs. “If you will but think about it, Professor, you’ll see that your proof is suspect. You said they changed their name. Can you prove that? Can you prove that the Ballew name didn’t simply die out naturally in that community? Or migrate? You took a flying leap across several generations. That’s not research—that’s wishful thinking.”

“You’re wrong.” Wallace’s voice was fierce. “The research is correct. I found the Eye, didn’t I, despite its changing hands?”

“Yes, you did,” Desmond said, continuing his easygoing tone. “Perhaps I’m wrong about the research. But even if you are right and I am descended from Anne Ballew, doesn’t it seem unlikely that her powers would remain in her descendants? The talent she had has surely been watered down to almost nothing now.”

“There’s one way to find out, isn’t there?” Wallace strode to a cabinet and unlocked it, pulling out the carved wooden box Desmond had seen in the dowager duchess’s sitting room. Desmond stiffened at the sight of it; something hard and sharp pierced his chest.

“The Eye.” Desmond watched Wallace set the container on a small table and reverently remove the Eye, holding it up. Desmond’s breath quickened. The dawn light through the windows sent rainbows arcing from the glass, so beautiful Desmond couldn’t take his eyes from it. He remembered when the dowager duchess revealed it to him and Thisbe in London, how lovely it had been, but it could not compare to this exquisite dance of color and light. He wished that Thisbe could see it now. He wished... His heart squeezed in his chest.

“Look at it.” Wallace carried the Eye over to Desmond. “This small instrument carries all the power in the world. Can you not feel it? Don’t you want to see what it offers? A world beyond our wildest dreams.”

Desmond struggled to keep his face a blank. The truth was that something tugged at him deep inside, pulling him toward the Eye. He yearned to hold it in his hand and admire it. To look deep into its depths and see...everything that lay beyond. The truth, the meaning, the all-encompassing wisdom of the ages.

The need to discover had always been with him, but this was something more. Something different. This was a visceral thrum in his belly, an ache. He wanted to grab the Eye from Wallace’s hand. The man didn’t deserve it, wasn’t worthy even to touch it. The Eye belonged to him.

THE THOUGHT STRUCK him like a slap in the face, knocking him out of his bizarre trance. Good Lord, was the thing actually creeping into him, seeking to control him? He thought of Thisbe’s dreams, her fear that the Eye would overwhelm him.

Well, that was not going to happen. Maybe it wasn’t all a hoax; maybe the thing really did have power. But he was not about to let anything take over his mind and will. Nor was he willing to give these men the satisfaction of seeing how much the Eye tempted him. He brought the thought of Thisbe into his mind and focused on her image—her firm mouth, her resolute chin, the love and trust in her green eyes when she looked at him.

Desmond shrugged. “It’s a quizzing glass.” He went on in a coolly analytical tone, “Rather large, with some interesting facets. Elegant carving on the handle.” It afforded him a good deal of pleasure to see outrage flood Wallace’s face.

“You’re a fool.” Wallace jerked away the glass and returned it to the box.

“No doubt,” Desmond agreed, ignoring the fierce spurt of loss and regret. “Clearly, I’m not the one who should operate it. The best thing is to untie my hands and send me on my way, and we will all forget this incident. I shan’t bring charges against you for kidnapping, and...”

“You will do as I say!” Wallace erupted, his face flooding with red. Gordon took a nervous step backward.

“I won’t.” It was easier now, with the Eye out of his sight, though he still felt that edgy, impatient pull.

“You have to!”

Grieves stepped forward and backhanded Desmond, making his head ring, but at least it was a blow that didn’t knock him out. “He’ll do it. A bit more of this, and he’ll be begging to.”

“You think beating me unconscious will enable me to use the Eye?” Desmond directed his gaze at Wallace.

Grieves raised his hand threateningly, but Wallace snapped, “No. Don’t be a fool. Step back, Grieves.”

Gordon hastened to join the conversation, smiling in a benign way. “There’s no need for animosity here. I’m sure Desmond will come to his senses. Just imagine the fame, my boy, the respect in the scientific community. Think of the knowledge.”

“Think of the money,” Wallace added harshly. “That’s what matters. I’ll pay you. Five hundred guineas. That’s more money than you’ve ever seen, I warrant.”

“I won’t do it.”

“Yes, you will.” Wallace smiled thinly. “Eventually. You sit there and think about it. Think about what that amount of money can do for you. And think about the fact that it’s the only way you’re getting out of here.”

“You cannot keep me here forever.”

“I’ll be happy to end your visit if you like,” Grieves replied, grinning.

“The Morelands know where I am,” Desmond pointed out.