“I know,” she said firmly.
Chapter 25
THERE WAS A GENTLE KINDof pleasure in watching her move around the apartment, stopping to look at a book or to run her hand across the strings of the old violin that had belonged to Hector’s mother. She was there and she need not go anywhere. She was there and they were together.
They had breakfast, and as Nina nibbled her toast, he performed several tricks to amuse her. Despite the sun shining outside, there was darkness lurking in the corners of their home, like a hungry beast ready to pounce. He would not let her worry.
And it scared him, too, to be honest. The beast hunted them both.
Hector toyed with cards, with a napkin. He performed that trick that always seemed impressive, where he spun a glass filled with water in the air quickly and did not spill a drop of liquid.
“How do you manage that?” Nina asked.
“It’s control. But more than that, it is belief.”
“Belief?”
“All we ultimately have to do is believe. We focus our mind on one single point, one single purpose, and we push. We grasp. We manipulate wood and glass and iron. However, the greatest trick is the belief. Belief is what makes it real.
“I’ve now told you all my secrets,” he said. “You’d better not reveal them to my competitors.”
“As if you had any.”
“Hel de Grott seems to be getting nice press these days.”
“He bends knives,” she said, scoffing.
“I started my career juggling lemons above my head, my dear.”
“He’s not inThe Gazette for Physical Research.”
Nina looked down at her cup of coffee, gently tapping her spoon against its rim, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
“I read of you there first,” she said. “I had this idea that you were an old, distinguished gentleman, I don’t know why. But then I saw the posters across the city, and you were handsome and young.
“I think I stood in front of a wall near the Palace d’Ambelle for nearly five minutes, staring at your face. That is how I knew you at the party.”
Hector smiled. It was sweet, this innocent confession, and yet her cheeks grew more flushed by the second.
“You realize this means you loved me before you met me?” he teased her.
“Don’t be smug.”
“I grant you I can be, maybe, a little smug,” he said, and when she tried to slap his arm in mock chastisement, he pulled her to him, and she laughed.
Étienne arrived before noon. Although Hector had explained to Antonina that he was to be his second, she was still startled when the knock on the door came, her fingers gripping Hector’s hand. Hector murmured an endearment and allowed Étienne in.
“Antonina, you look lovely,” Étienne said, bowing low.
“It is gracious of you to say so,” she replied. “Will you be having tea? I can fetch you a cup. Hector does not think I can boil water, but I’m determined to prove him wrong.”
“That would be the utmost kindness.”
Nina left for the kitchen. Étienne sat at the table, facing Hector. He was bare that morning, as if he was missing his usual polish.
“I have met with Luc’s second, and I have basic terms to review with you,” Étienne said. “A physician has been chosen to be present during the duel, Henri Davell. He is a friend of the Beaulieus’ but if you wouldprefer to nominate another physician, they would be willing to consider a different name.”
“I do not object to the choice.”
