brew. Hardly surprising, since it is unlikely to work on anyone. Nevertheless, she obviously believes it will be effective on someone, so it appears that she is conducting tests. Perhaps she seeks an accomplice." Accomplice." Emma considered the word. That has a rather nasty ring to it." He raised his brows. You do see the problem, do you not? If she believes that she possesses a potion that would allow her to cheat at cards, the possibilities are unlimited." Fortunes are won and lost in the games played in the homes of the ton," Emma whispered. Thousands and thousands of pounds are dropped in the card rooms at balls every week." Indeed." This is amazing." She shot him a quick, assessing look. But you said that the elixir is only a single legend from that ancient book you mentioned. Why are you searching for it?" If I can find the person who possesses the recipe for the elixir, I may well have found the thief who stole the book." Yes, I see. But if the elixir does not work" Understand me well. I have no doubt but that the brew itself is useless. Nevertheless, people have been known to risk a great deal in order to obtain something that they believe to be valuable. Men have died because of this damned recipe. The last one was an apothecary in London." Her eyes widened in alarm. Did he die because he drank the brew?" He shook his head. I believe that he was murdered by his client, the person to whom he sold some of the special herbs required to make the stuff." She frowned. You know the ingredients of the recipe?"
No. But I do know that it originated on the Isle of Vanzagara. The herbs that grow there are rare and unique to the island. Lorring alerted the handful of apothecaries in London who stock Vanzagarian herbs. He asked them to notify him if anyone attempted to purchase some." I see. One of them sent word that he had sold some of the rare herbs?" Yes. Lorring is so ill that he can no longer leave his home. So I went to see the apothecary as soon as the message arrived. But I was too late. He had been stabbed. He lived only long enough to tell me that whoever had purchased the herbs was planning to attend Ware's house party." My God." A fresh wave of alarm shot through Emma. Do you believe Miranda murdered the poor man?" If she is the one who possesses the recipe, I must assume that it is entirely possible that she killed the apothecary. And, perhaps, others as well. But do not fret, Miss Greyson. You will be safe so long as you play the innocent." I am actually rather good at that," Emma muttered. It is a require ment in my profession." He gave her an odd smile. Do you know, until I made your acquain tance, I had no notion that paid companions were so clever and resourceful." It is a demanding career, I assure you, sir." I believe it." He paused meaningfully. If you are satisfied with the description of your new duties, there is just one more thing I would like to have plain between us." What is that?" If you ever do find your way into my bed, Miss Greyson, it will not be because I have paid you to do so."
CHAPTER SEVEN he following evening, before he dressed for dinner, Edison lit a candle and set it on the floor. He sat down in front of the taper, legs folded into the correct position, and contemplated the flame. He had long ago discarded most Vanza rituals. But once in a while, when he needed to look deep into his own thoughts, he used the candle. Meditation with the aid of specially scented and colored candles was an ancient practice on Vanzagara. The monks used it in the temples, and every Vanza master taught his students how to use the flame to focus their concentration. Traditionally each student received his first candles from his master. The particular scent and color of the tapers were unique to that partic ular master. There was an ancient Vanzagarian saying, To know-1 the master, look at the student's candles. It was customary for the student to use the master's candles until he had achieved the Third
No. But I do know that it originated on the Isle of Vanzagara. The herbs that grow there are rare and unique to the island. Lorring alerted the handful of apothecaries in London who stock Vanzagarian herbs. He asked them to notify him if anyone attempted to purchase some." I see. One of them sent word that he had sold some of the rare herbs?" Yes. Lorring is so ill that he can no longer leave his home. So I went to see the apothecary as soon as the message arrived. But I was too late. He had been stabbed. He lived only long enough to tell me that whoever had purchased the herbs was planning to attend Ware's house party." My God." A fresh wave of alarm shot through Emma. Do you believe Miranda murdered the poor man?" If she is the one who possesses the recipe, I must assume that it is entirely possible that she killed the apothecary. And, perhaps, others as well. But do not fret, Miss Greyson. You will be safe so long as you play the innocent." I am actually rather good at that," Emma muttered. It is a require ment in my profession." He gave her an odd smile. Do you know, until I made your acquain tance, I had no notion that paid companions were so clever and resourceful." It is a demanding career, I assure you, sir." I believe it." He paused meaningfully. If you are satisfied with the description of your new duties, there is just one more thing I would like to have plain between us." What is that?" If you ever do find your way into my bed, Miss Greyson, it will not be because I have paid you to do so."
CHAPTER SEVEN he following evening, before he dressed for dinner, Edison lit a candle and set it on the floor. He sat down in front of the taper, legs folded into the correct position, and contemplated the flame. He had long ago discarded most Vanza rituals. But once in a while, when he needed to look deep into his own thoughts, he used the candle. Meditation with the aid of specially scented and colored candles was an ancient practice on Vanzagara. The monks used it in the temples, and every Vanza master taught his students how to use the flame to focus their concentration. Traditionally each student received his first candles from his master. The particular scent and color of the tapers were unique to that partic ular master. There was an ancient Vanzagarian saying, To know-1 the master, look at the student's candles. It was customary for the student to use the master's candles until he had achieved the Third
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