“I’ll see you in Fragonard’s stateroom in…” He checks the clock on my bedside table. “Five minutes.”
“Shit!” My head jerks to check the clock as well, and I scamper off the bed.
“I’m sure Aleister won’t mind if you’re a few minutes late.”
I look up in time to see him stepping through the door into the narrow hallway. A sly grin curls his lips, and my well-fucked pussy actually clenches in response. Damn this man. I shake my head and he slides the door closed, fastening it with a quiet click.
I’m in the shower, doing my best to keep my hair dry, my makeup away from the spray, and that wall back around my heart. What happened just now was more than dangerous. It could be deadly.
Part Three
Conceit
“Survive now. Cry later.” -Anonymous
Lara
The lights in Fragonard’s stateroom cast a dim yellow glow. I’m only five minutes late, but as I step through his sliding wooden door, a quick glance tells me I’m the last to arrive.
Mark is sitting across a round, green-felt covered card table from the baron. He’s wearing the same suit as when he left me, but he’s relaxed. His legs are crossed and a drink is in his hand.
I changed into a dark brown, matte jersey dress. It wraps and hugs my body, and I don’t miss the appreciative glances from both Fragonard and Mark.
Mark’s blue eyes rise to mine, and his smile sends electricity humming all the way to my toes. When I move, I can still feel him inside me, but my guard remains up. I’m not here for him.
Molly sits between Mark and the baron. Her lips are swollen and pink around the edges. Her curls are mussed and frizzed, and I’m sure she spent the interim in a similar way as me—although I know hers wasn’t as pleasurable.
Molly’s specialty is using her mouth to get what she wants. Giving head isn’t my favorite pastime, but she says it makes her feel more in control of what’s happening. It’s less personal, less invasive.
She grips Esterhaus’s sleeve, pretending to be enthralled by every word that spills from his mouth, and he appears to believe he’s in control of what’s happening. Men of his age are so easily deceived.
It’s interesting how as women age, they become more self-aware. As men age, they become more convinced of their virility.
“Ah, Miss Hale. For a moment, I thought perhaps you had changed your mind.” Fragonard rises from his seat and meets me at the door.
“Of course not.” I take his outstretched arm and allow him to lead me to the empty seat beside the baron. “I’m intrigued by what we might learn here.”
The luxury stateroom is decorated with plush Persian rugs and thick velvet curtains. It’s heavy and close, and it seems more like a personal room than a sterile sleeper for a visitor on a train. I wonder if he owns this small bit of mobile real estate.
Aleister takes a seat between Mark and me, and he lifts a satin turban from the table, placing it on his head. My eyes narrow, and I clutch my brow. I’m not sure he intends to be humorous, and I don’t want to insult him.
“Good God, Fragonard.” The baron coughs out a laugh, pulling the cigar from his lips. “What the hell are you trying to be? A swami?”
“I am a medium,” Aleister sniffs. “If you intend to be a hostile vibration, you can take your little friend and go. Three is all we need for the séance.”
“Oh, no!” Molly sits straighter in her chair, her voice high and breathy, contrasting with the men’s. “I want to see what happens.”
The old man’s face relaxes, and he places a hand on top of hers. “I thought you were afraid. Come, let’s return to my room and discuss more pleasant matters.”
She blinks slowly, turning round eyes on him. “But you said you would protect me, Daddy.”
My stomach turns, but I have to hand it to her. She’s good.
“Oh, well…” He’s clearly affected by her words. “In that case, we can stay for a few minutes.”
Fragonard grabs the reins, arranging a plate of dark red candles in the center of the table and lighting them one by one. On the head of a brass elephant a tray of incense smolders, mixing a layer of sandalwood with the cigar smoke in the air.
“We must clear our minds of all foreign interference.” When the candles are lit, Aleister sits and holds out his hands. “Join hands and think in harmony. Unify your thoughts with the group.”