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“I am not one to judge, but you seem awfully
intrigued by Mephistopheles,” she continued. “Emphasis on ‘awful.’ What about Mr. Cresswell? Have your feelings for him changed that quickly? Your letters from the academy seemed to indicate some grand romance, though you were upset with him at the time.” She inspected me with sharp-eyed focus, similar to how I’d dissect a specimen with my scalpel. “Has Mephistopheles won your heart so easily? I thought you would see through his lies.”
I pinched the skin between my thumb and forefinger, using it to focus.
“Where is the scandal in speaking with someone?” I asked. “It’s not as if Mephistopheles has declared himself to me. Perhaps I simply enjoy hearing about his use of science. I’ve always been intrigued with engineering. We’re not so different, you know.”
“Is that what he’s told you?” Liza gave me a long, measured look. “That you’re both similar in nature? That you belong together?”
Her tone was drenched in disapproval, though I could see the concern in her face.
“What if he has said those things?” I lifted my chin, doing my best imitation of being indignant and hating myself a little more for it. How many lies would I be forced to tell before this charade was over? “It’s true. We both love science. His is just a bit more flashy. There’s much I could learn from him, though. Things that might help me figure out where, exactly, I belong.”
“Dissecting the dead is much less showy,” she said drily. “Maybe you should borrow one of his masks. Or ask his costumer for a new autopsy gown. I’m sure he could sew something up that would restart any heart. Where you belong is with Uncle and Thomas, solving crimes for those who could not do it on their own. Not dressed up and prancing around a stage in a different city each night on the arm of a man who will always love the show more.”
“Don’t be sour, Cousin,” I said, trying hard not to read too much into her last sentence. “I simply enjoy learning how he engineers his tricks. He is quite… the machines and mechanisms he builds are incredible. If he would focus on creating medical tools…” I trailed off, suddenly not speaking any more half-truths. If Mephistopheles used his brain to craft machines used in surgeries, there were endless possibilities for healing.
Liza searched my face for a moment, not quite convinced. I fought to keep my expression frozen into the mask I’d donned.
“Be careful of giving your heart to men like that,” she finally said, shoulders slumping.
“Men like what?” I reached over and gripped her hand. “Scientists and engineers?”
“Liars.”
“He’s an illusionist,” I said, not missing the venom she’d injected into that single word. “A wonder-worker.”
“Exactly.” Liza took her hand from mine and crossed her arms. “A liar. In a fancy frock coat.”
For a heart-grabbing moment I feared that Mephistopheles had acted on our bargain against my wishes, leaving Liza an anonymous letter with information on Houdini. I swallowed hard, feeling the wall of lies crumble in on me. It was time to come clean about one secret. “Is… is everything all right between you and Harry?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” She examined my face, her lips turning down. There was something in her eyes, though. Something that indicated all wasn’t as well as she’d like me to believe. “What is it? What aren’t you telling me?”
This was it; the moment I’d been dreading. Suddenly, looking into my cousin’s pleading eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to break her heart. She gripped my hand. If she was having doubts about Houdini, I needed to give her all the information I had. We made land in only one more day. Still, I couldn’t seem to make myself take that last step.
“Please. Whatever it is, I need to know.”
I dropped onto the bed, heart thudding slow enough to toll the hour of dread. Without saying a word, I reached over and removed the half-ruined letter from my nightstand. I gave it to Liza, keeping my eyes averted as she sank down beside me.
“That lying scoundrel!” She crumpled the paper, voice trembling when she spoke. “I’ll toss him overboard like the piece of rubbish he is! Where’s my cloak?”
Fearing her temper might lead her to such extremes, I gathered my courage and faced her. “Liza… you cannot confront him.”
“Are you mad?” she cried. “Of course I must confront him!”
“At least wait until we’ve reached port. There’s already so much to contend with, please, I beg of you. Wait. It’s only for one more day, and then, if you still wish to do so, I will help you toss him into the harbor. I swear it.”
Liza marched in a circle around the room, shaking her head. “You want me to act as if nothing is wrong? Would you do the same thing if you were in my shoes?”
“I would do whatever needed to be done,” I said truthfully. “Especially if it came down to putting an investigation first.”
Liza stared at me and I couldn’t quite pick out the emotions that shifted across her face. “Tell me this much, where did you get the letter? Did Anishaa give it to you?”
“Mephistopheles did. I’ve—I haven’t wanted to ruin your trip.”
“This wasn’t simply a trip for me.” Her lips trembled. “He was supposed to be my future. I gave up so much.” She swallowed whatever she was about to say, her voice as hard as diamonds when she spoke next. “Never, ever, give up yourself for someone else, Audrey Rose. The right person will want you just as you are. And if they don’t?” She sniffled, and shook her head. “Forget them. Tipping the scales too far in either direction is nothing but trouble. I gave up my home and family for kisses, playing cards, and empty promises of a future. Houdini is a liar, and I’m glad to be done with him.”
“Liza, I wanted to tell you, I just—”
