Free The Third Circle (Arcane Society Book 04) by Amanda Quick Page A

Leona thought. She had not told Carolyn that Ware’s mesmeric abilities were of a paranormal nature.
    “I admit that there have been a great many lurid reports in the papers concerning the dangers of mesmerism and how the talent can be used for criminal purposes, but they are all based on wild speculation,” Leona said. “There is very little in the way of actual evidence.”
    She hardly needed to defend the mysterious Mr. Ware, but for some murky reason she felt compelled to do so.
    “I read an article just the other day about a young man who stole a pair of silver candlesticks while under the influence of a hypnotist,” Carolyn announced.
    “Hypnosis sounds like a rather convenient excuse to pull out when one has been caught red-handed filching the silver.”
    “There have been actual scientific demonstrations of how a hypnotist can persuade someone to commit a crime.”
    “Most of those demonstrations took place on the Continent, primarily in France.” Leona took a straw bonnet out of the wardrobe and put it in one of the trunks. “Everyone knows the doctors there have been feuding about mesmerism for years. I do not think we need to take their so-called experiments seriously.”
    “What about all the reports of women right here in London who were taken advantage of by hypnotists who claimed to be treating them for hysteria?” Carolyn shot back with an air of triumph. “Are you going to deny them, as well?”
    Leona felt the heat rise in her cheeks as certain memories of the night returned in full force. “Really, Carolyn, I fear you spend far too much time reading the sensation press. You know as well as I do that such reports are highly suspect.”
    Carolyn raised her brows. “Some of those women treated for hysteria ended up pregnant.”
    “There are other explanations besides hypnosis that can account for that condition.”
    Carolyn pursed her lips, briefly defeated. “Well, yes, I suppose that’s true. Nevertheless, you will admit that hypnotists, in general, are not well regarded by the medical establishment.”
    “Professional jealousy, no doubt.”
    “Let’s be plain, here. You know nothing at all about this Mr. Ware except that he was after your crystal. That fact, alone, should have been sufficient to cause you to be extremely cautious.”
    “Adam and I did take precautions. Trust me, there is no way that Mr. Ware can find me.”
    “I would not depend on that, if I were you.” Carolyn paused in front of the dressing table and looked at Leona in the mirror. “Now, in addition to worrying about Lord Delbridge, you must anticipate the possibility that Ware may also come looking for you. I said from the start that your plan might well lead to disaster, did I not?”
    “Yes, you did,” Leona agreed dryly. “And as I have mentioned on more than one occasion, your unwavering optimism has always been one of the things I admire most about you.”
    Carolyn made a face. “You can hardly blame me for pointing out the pitfalls of your scheme. I am an archaeologist by training. I take note of even the smallest details. Not that Mr. Ware sounds like a small detail, mind you.”
    Leona thought about the unyielding masculine strength she had felt when Thaddeus Ware had held her tightly against him. Definitely no small details there.
    “Mmm,” she said aloud.
    In the mirror Carolyn’s eyes narrowed. “I know why you wanted the crystal. But why do you think Mr. Ware wants it?”
    “I don’t know. There was no time to discuss the matter.” But she had done a great deal of thinking about that very issue since leaving Ware at the inn. “I told you something of the crystal’s history.”
    “You said that over the years it has been stolen many times, usually by someone connected to the secret society of eccentric paranormal researchers you mentioned.”
    “The Arcane Society. They are an obsessive, devious, untrustworthy lot. Some of the members, like Delbridge, will stop at nothing to acquire