Read Online The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom by Vicki Lockwood - Free Book Online

and you’ll be right as rain. Just stand there and look mournful while she’s doing her readings.” He stopped outside a tent and lifted the flap. “She does palms and cards and the old crystal ball. You know the kind of thing. She just needs you looking sad and serious to help add a little solemnity to proceedings. Madame Aurora,” he called inside, “your new assistant is here.”
    Lizzie peered into the shadows. Exotic perfume filled her nose. An oil lamp, turned low, barely lit the luxurious drapes that swathed the inside of the tent.
    â€œSend her in.” A sultry voice sounded in the dim light.
    As Lizzie stepped inside, she could just barely make out a figure seated at a table. Madame Aurora stood up regally, shimmering with sequins and jingling with jewelery. A blood-red veil covered her face. She lifted it, and Lizzie saw the strong features of a handsome woman, caked with heavy makeup.
    â€œNot much of a girl.” Madame Aurora poked Lizzie’s shoulder with a bony finger. The nail dug deep beneath Lizzie’s shoulder bone.
    Lizzie flinched but held her tongue. She wasn’t going to risk losing her first proper job in the circus.
    Madame Aurora lifted one of Lizzie’s braids and let it fall from her fingers like a dead mouse. “Couldn’t you find anyone more exotic?” she asked stonily. “This one looks like she’s fresh from the workhouse.”
    Fitzy put his hand gently on Lizzie’s shoulder. “She’s a good worker, and she’s bright. Her looks will improve once we’ve fed her up a bit.”
    Lizzie dug her nails into her palms. Why do grown-ups have to be so rude? Like kids don’t have proper feelings.
    Madame Aurora tossed her headscarf back and turned to her table. “I’ll do what I can with her.” She pointed to the doorway. “Stand there, girl.”
    â€œMy name’s Lizzie.” Lizzie lifted her chin.
    â€œWhile you’re working here, you’re called Roxanna.” Madame Aurora sat down and gazed into the crystal ball sitting on her table, her ringed fingers fluttering around it. “Guide the client in, show them to their seat, then stand back and keep your mouth shut. I don’t want them knowing you’re a guttersnipe from the slums.”
    Lizzie flashed Fitzy a worried look as he hovered outside the doorway.
    â€œYou’ll do fine.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Here comes your first customer.”
    Madame Aurora quickly pulled her veil down over her face as Fitzy hurried away. A young woman was approaching the tent warily. Her eyes were red, and her nose was rosy from crying. Lizzie beckoned her in, and the young woman offered her a coin, but Madame Aurora’s voice called out, smooth as honey, “I’ll take your coin, dear. The spirits won’t speak unless you cross my palm with silver.”
    Lizzie ushered the woman to the empty chair opposite Madame Aurora and then stepped back into the shadows. She watched as Madame Aurora pocketed the coin.
    â€œWhy have you come to seek guidance from the spirit world?” Madame Aurora’s veil trembled.
    You should know , Lizzie thought. You’re meant to be psychic. She shuffled her feet.
    Madame jerked her head in Lizzie’s direction. “Stand still!” she hissed.
    As Madame turned back toward her client, Lizzie stuck out her tongue. Madame Aurora didn’t see; her gaze was fixed on the young woman who was now dabbing her nose with a handkerchief. “You seem troubled, my dear.”
    The woman nodded.
    Well, that’s obvious! Lizzie thought.
    Madame stroked the air around her crystal ball. “I see heartache.”
    The woman sniffed and wrung her hanky between her fingers.
    â€œLet me see.” Madame Aurora gently lifted one of the woman’s hands and turned her palm so it faced upward. Leaning over it she mumbled and shook her head. “You have known