“Your very own electrical machine.” Priscilla was clearly dazzled.

“You are extremely fortunate, sir. I would give anything to possess a properly equipped laboratory.”

Emeline felt a small rush of curiosity. “Can you create little balls of fire that fly about, the way Professor Kirk did today?”

“Certainly. Kirk’s lightning show was no more than a simple trick.” He paused, glanced at Priscilla, and then smiled very deliberately at Emeline. “I can arrange some demonstrations that I think you would find even more exciting than those Kirk performed for you this afternoon.”

“I would love to see them,” Priscilla said quickly.

“It does sound intriguing,” Emeline agreed. “I must admit, I have not taken a great interest in science until recently, but Mr. Kirk’s lectures have been quite stimulating.”

Anthony’s jaw hardened. “Out of the question. The two of you cannot possibly go to Hood’s lodgings unaccompanied. You both know that very well.”

Priscilla looked crestfallen. “I wonder if I could persuade Mama to accompany us.”

She did not sound hopeful, Emeline thought.

“I doubt that Lady Wortham would care to spend a morning viewing science demonstrations,” Anthony said flatly.

“I suppose you are right,” Priscilla said. She looked resigned.

“Mama is more concerned with fashion.”

Dominic’s jaw tensed.

“Well, that is that.” Anthony checked his pocket watch. “It is getting late, ladies. We had best be on our way if we are to stop for ice cream.”

Emeline could not abide the deep disappointment in Priscilla’s eyes. “I’m sure that I would have no difficulty persuading Aunt Lavinia to escort us to a demonstration at your laboratory, Mr. Hood.”

Priscilla’s expression warmed with gratitude. “Do you really think Mrs. Lake would be willing to do that?”

“I do not see why not,” Emeline said. “When she returns from her visit to the country I will ask her.”

“Thank you.” Priscilla was buoyant. “That is so kind of you, Emeline.”

Dominic shot Anthony a triumphant smile and then bowed politely to Emeline and Priscilla.

“I shall look forward to entertaining the two of you and Mrs. Lake as well at your earliest convenience,” he said. “My lodgings are in Stelling Street.”

He turned on the heel of one gleaming Hessian and walked out of the hall and down the steps without a backward glance.

Anthony said nothing, but Emeline could feel the anger simmering in him.


=

For the first time in their relationship, she was worried.

An hour and a half later, after escorting a still-exuberant Priscilla to her door, Emeline and Anthony walked back to Number 7

Claremont Lane.

It was a lovely day for a stroll, Emeline thought. Surely there was no finer place on earth than London on a summer afternoon.

“Sunlight warmed the lush green parks where children played with balls and small wagons. The flower sellers’ carts brimmed with a profusion of colorful blossoms. Fruitmongers offered an array of juicy peaches and pears, sweet grapes, and an assortment of berries.

Everyone seemed more cheerful and more brightly garbed than they did in winter.

Then again, maybe she felt that way because she was with the man she loved, she thought. What a pity Anthony was in such a foul mood.

“Do you know,” she said, aiming for a harmless topic, “until she suggested that we subscribe to Mr. Kirk’s lectures, I had no notion that Priscilla had such a great interest in science. She told me that her mama warned her not to discuss the subject in polite company because she would be labeled a bore by her friends.”

“Lady Wortham is the bore in that family.”

“I suspect it would be more accurate to say that she is merely a devoted parent attempting to do her best to make an excellent match for Priscilla.”

“Huh,” Anthony said without a great deal of interest.

So much for attempting to lighten his mood. There were times, she reflected, when Anthony took after his brother-in-law. She was coming to understand why Lavinia occasionally lost her temper with Mr. March.

“Out with it,” she said when they reached Number 7. “You are annoyed with me because I agreed to ask Aunt Lavinia to accompany Priscilla and me to see Dominic’s laboratory.”

“I’d rather not discuss the subject.”

“No, you would rather seethe in silence. Allow me to tell you, sir, that while such a mood is quite dramatic for a short time, it rapidly becomes annoying.”

She reached into her reticule for her key and opened the door. A

gentle breeze wafted down the long hall that ran the length of the house. The back door stood open. She glanced toward the far end of the passageway and caught a glimpse of gray skirts moving about in the kitchen garden. Mrs. Chilton was collecting vegetables and lettuces.

“Emeline removed her bonnet and gloves. Why don’t you tell me why you have taken such a dislike to Mr. Hood?”

Anthony shut the front door and turned to face her. “I dislike him because I know his intentions.”

“Indeed? What, in your opinion, are Mr. Hood’s intentions?”

“He has taken to hanging about wherever we happen to be because he wants to entice you away from me.”

Startled, she paused in the act of hanging her bonnet on a hook and stared at him. “That is absolute rubbish.”

“On the contrary, it is the absolute truth.”

“Tony, I really do not think that is the case at all.”

“It bloody well is the case.”

“You’re jealous,” she said, more than a little amazed.

“Do you blame me?”

“Yes, I do, sir. There is no need for you to worry about my association with Mr. Hood. I think he is just somewhat lonely, that’s all. He is obviously new in town and he evidently has no friends or social connections.”

“The lack of friends is perfectly understandable.” Anthony tossed his hat down onto a table. “Hood does not possess what anyone would call a winning personality.”

She thought about the manner in which Dominic had held himself apart from the crowd in the lecture hall. “He is rather aloof, is he not? And I will grant you that there is a certain intensity about him that no doubt makes it difficult for him to be at ease with people, I have the impression that he has not spent much time in Society.”

“I do not know about his experience in Society, but I can tell you that he must have some connections. He is a member of my club.”

“Is that where you were introduced?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” he muttered. “He has become my shadow because he seeks to find a way to separate you and me.”

“Anthony, you are behaving in the most ridiculous fashion. I assure you there is absolutely no need”

She broke off on a small gasp, because he abruptly took a long stride forward, gripped her forearms, and pinned her hard against him.


=

“He is not like the other gentlemen who flirt with you, Emeline,”

Anthony said quietly. “They are annoying but harmless. Hood is different. He is dangerous.”

Her irritation was suddenly transformed into anger. “Surely you do not believe for one moment that I am attracted to him? How can you even imply such a thing? Do you really think that I am so fickle?”

“Of course not. I trust you completely, Emeline. Don’t you understand? It is Hood’s determination to destroy what you and I have found together that alarms me.”

She relaxed a little. “I still do not believe that is his goal, but even if it were, I promise you he could not possibly tear me away from you.”

He shook his head once, as if she were the most naive creature in the world. “You still do not comprehend my real fear. It is that he will do you some great harm.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“I would not put it past him to attempt to compromise you in some fashion.” He paused grimly. “Perhaps worse.”

“She searched his face and saw that he believed every word of what he had just said. You think he would… would…” She could not bring herself to say the word rape. “But that makes no sense.

“Why would Mr. Hood want to do something so utterly beyond the pale?”

“I wish to God I knew,” he said quietly.

“He cannot possibly hate me so much,” she whispered. “He is barely acquainted with me.”

“You misunderstand, my love.” Anthony raised his hands to cup her face. “I do not believe that he hates you.”

“Then why would he want to hurt me?”

“It is me he despises. I am the one he wants to hurt. And he has guessed quite correctly that nothing in the world would cause me more pain and grief than seeing you harmed.”

She gazed at him, shocked at the deep certainty in his words. “But you have only just met him. What possible reason could he have for conceiving such a strong dislike of you?”

“I do not know. But I mean to find out. Meanwhile, I do not want you anywhere near him.”

“Even if I were to agree to keep my distance from Mr. Hood, you know very well that you cannot prevent him from coming near me.

Not unless you intend to keep me locked up in this house, which I will never allow’

“Damn it, Emeline.”

She covered his mouth with her fingertips, silencing him gently.

“Listen to us. Once again we sound like Aunt Lavinia and Mr. March when they are engaging in one of their heated discussions. It was our intention to go about things much differently, if you will recall.”

He narrowed his eyes. “This is not about our personal relationship.”

“On the contrary, it goes to the very heart of it. Our association is supposed to be a harmonious metaphysical connection of two likeminded souls. We agreed that we would not quarrel and snap at each other as my aunt and your brother-in-law are so inclined to do.