Mr. Trentham was an engaging speaker with interesting tales to tell about his toys and the people who came into his shop. Unfortunately his magic was somewhat less engaging. The only spell he knew made his toys move a little longer than without it. They still had to be manipulated by human hands, however.
The spinning top spun for five minutes before it lost momentum and toppled over. The wooden train traveled further than expected after he pushed it. A doll repeated the words “My name is Polly” three times with the spell and two times without it, but only after Mr. Trentham pulled on the string at her back. I was hoping it would work without the need for anyone to pull it at all.
“You could make it walk,” Fabian whispered in my ear.
I nudged him with my elbow, but the twinkle in his eyes remained.
Polite applause followed the conclusion of Mr. Trentham’s lecture and Louisa announced that refreshments would be served. As we filed into the adjoining room, the footmen removed the chairs and returned the sofa and other furniture to the drawing room while it was empty.
I accepted a cup of tea from a footman but did not want anything to eat. Cyclops and Duke made a beeline for the table along with Fabian and most of the other guests. Willie beat them all.
“Mrs. Glass?” came a soft voice from behind me.
I turned to see Mr. Trentham smiling tentatively. I put out my hand. “I’m pleased to meet you. Thank you for your lecture. It was enlightening.”
His cheeks flushed and he shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s the best I can do. My magic is rather weak, so I tried to make it more interesting by telling a few stories. I’ve never done this sort of thing before. I’m afraid I’m not a lecturer.”
“You’re a natural, and your magic is intriguing. I’m sure the children get great enjoyment from your toys.”
“You’re too kind. My magic is nothing compared to yours.” He cleared his throat. “I heard about your extension spell, Mrs. Glass.”
I sighed into my teacup.
Mr. Trentham heard it and put his hands up in surrender. “Please, do not think I’m trying to ingratiate myself to you. I have no intention of asking you to extend my magic.”
“I’m relieved to hear it.”
“Mr. Charbonneau warned me not to.”
I bit the inside of my lip to stop my smile.
Fabian joined us, a questioning look on his face, but I didn’t get a chance to thank him for warning Mr. Trentham as others approached. They asked Mr. Trentham about his magic and toys.
“Can you detect magic in other objects?” asked a woman.
He nodded. “All magicians can feel magical warmth.”
“Are you the only toy magician in London?” Sir Charles asked.
“No.”
A bespectacled fellow I’d seen at other club meetings handed Mr. Trentham a glass filled with amber liquid. “Have you ever tried frightening someone by making the doll move with a spell? You know, without touching it and while you’re standing on the other side of the room.”
“That would be a lark,” his female companion said, laughing.
“I can’t do that,” Mr. Trentham said, apologetically.
The man’s face fell. “Pity.”
Mrs. Delancey muscled her way between two other members. One of them had to lean back to avoid being poked in the eye by the feather in her headdress. “Are any of your pieces for sale?” she asked.
Mr. Trentham nodded. “Would you like to inspect them?”
“Yes, please.”
They led the way to Mr. Trentham’s toy chest with a trail of onlookers in tow. He could make quite a tidy sum tonight if he played his cards right.
I found myself standing very near Hope as she watched the procession return to the drawing room. “You’re not purchasing anything?” I asked her. “A gift for your husband, perhaps?”
“He adds to his collection as he sees fit.” She somehow managed to seem as though she were looking down her nose at me despite being shorter. “Nor would he advise undertaking transactions at a gathering such as this. A private negotiation is more his style.”
“I suppose he can use whatever tactics he likes in private without receiving the censure of the crowd.”
She stiffened. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means precisely what you think it means. Your husband is ruthless. He does and says whatever is necessary to get what he wants without concern for those he walks over.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I stepped toward her, stopping very close, and did not bend to her level. She had to crane her neck to meet my gaze. “I know your husband’s tactics rather well, as it happens. I’d have a care if I were you, Hope, or he might walk over you too.”
The gleam in her eyes turned hard. “Or he might teach me how to get what I want.”
We didn’t stay much longer and arrived home before Matt returned from Lord Farnsworth’s club. Duke and Cyclops went to bed at midnight, but Willie and I waited up. By one-thirty, I was beginning to think Matt had found it necessary to join Farnsworth and the home secretary’s friend in some nocturnal adventure or other. I only hoped it didn’t involve too much imbibing, given Matt’s prior battles with drink.
I was considering retiring when I heard the front door open. I’d sent Bristow to bed some time ago, so Matt let himself in.
“Thought I saw the light on in here,” he said, entering. He still wore his hat and coat as he tugged on his gloves to remove them. He leaned down to kiss me. “Good evening, Wife. Did you have a good night or did someone do or say something to ruin it?”
“Was that directed at me?” Willie asked, sounding curious rather than defensive.
“Not in particular, but it could be. Why? What did you do?”
“Nothing! And that’s the God’s honest truth.”
Matt seemed to be having trouble getting the glove off his right hand so I helped him. “Have you been drinking?”
He pulled his hand out of the glove then scrubbed it over his face. “Yes.”
“Don’t lecture him, India,” Willie scolded. “He did what he had to do, ain’t that right, Matt?”
“I was hardly scolding him,” I said, standing.
Matt turned to Willie. “She wasn’t scolding me.”
I helped him out of his coat then directed him to sit on the sofa. He slumped into it, gathering me around my waist as he did so, and drew me onto his lap. He gave me a devilish smile as his heated gaze dipped to my mouth.
Willie made a sound of disgust in the back of her throat. “You used to be able to hold your liquor better.”
Matt settled me beside him. “I’m out of practice, but I’m not completely inebriated, either. You’re correct in saying that I drank more than I usually would. Farnsworth’s liver must be made of iron.”
“What did you learn?” I asked.
“That he drinks a lot.”
I smiled. “I meant about Sir Charles and his knighthood.”
“Nothing, yet. I merely laid down the groundwork with the home secretary’s friend. He promised to introduce me when the home secretary returns to the city.”