Page 44 of Infernal Vices

“My dear, I do not believe it is wise to be so candid about you wealth in public, and I am but a stranger!” But Nissa raised her hand to quieten me.

“There is no need to worry, Benedict. I have trained to protect myself; I’ve even taught my father a move or two, and his runners are never far should I happen upon a little trouble.” There was a wolfish edge to her grin before she took a sip of wine. Again, she reminded me of Sebastian.

“I know full well that such a vast inheritance should launch my social mobility and thrust me into the limelight. I was not ready at eighteen. Mr. Fairfax was considerate of my circumstances, and not overbearing in the assistance he offered. Fairfax cares for my finances and I have learned to arrange my private business dealings.”

I was intrigued by this young woman, having experienced so much even before she was twenty.

“I am curious about how you and Sebastian found one another,” I asked.

“I spent a great deal of my time in the British Museum during my first year in London, and found that although the exhibits were fascinating, I was more and more angered by the reality of what the museum is—”

“And what’s that?”

“—A trove of stolen items harvested by the British Empire. My ancestors were destroyed by such a harvest. I learned that an artefact from the throne of my distant ancestor, Tipu Sultan, was in the ownership of a man named Lord Percival Ardmillan. By all accounts, he was a beast. I am independently wealthy, and so thought it prudent to buy back the tiger head. However, my request for a meeting went unanswered. Therefore, I sought an alternative way to recover my family treasure. Mr. Fairfax put me in touch with a woman, who then arranged an introduction to a man who could help me. It was all very clandestine. I knew on meeting the nameless man that there was something familiar about him. I told him my story and he decided to help me. It took several months for him to reveal his true name, and tell me that he’d realised he was my father. I cannot explain what a joy it was to discover I was no longer alone in the world.”

I understood that feeling all too well. Sebastian played a part in giving me the very same realisation.

Nissa’s eyes twinkled as she added, “As you know, the tiger head ornament was retrieved and the less said about that, the better!”

I took another bite of the roast duckling, which was cooked to perfection. “You have endured quite the adventure for one so young. What plans do you have for the future?” I asked cordially.

“Will I do a season and find a suitor?” Nissa’s light laughter tinkled like a bell, “Oh no, Benedict. I do not care for the marriage mart. The thought of it is preposterous. No, I am quite determined on my future plans.”

I could not fathom what this future would be…explorer, lion tamer, or fire eater? I’d say Miss Nissa could do just about anything she set her mind to. I raised a brow.

“Isn’t it obvious? I will set up as an inquiry agent and work with my father. The investigative side of his work is very exciting, and it is the Christian thing to do, for us to use my inheritance to help those in need.”

“Is your father agreeable to this?”

“Sebastian knows better than to dictate how I should live my life. He does not pressure me to act this way or that, or care what others think of us. He is open-minded and believes women should have the right to an education, and the right to vote. He encourages and supports me in all my endeavours, and I support him in his endeavours too.” She quirked a smile and I understood exactly what she meant. Nissa understood that her father was homosexual and I was his partner. She supported our union even if the law did not. I placed my cutlery down and took a sip of wine.

“You are very much like your father. He continues to challenge my beliefs and expectations on a daily basis,” I admitted, my mouth hitching to a grin.

“Yes, he does the same for me. And so, I think it’s about time we about my offer. Father explained that you are both set to bring down a dastardly confidence trickster, a man who is known to him and caused him great pain when he was my age. He said the man, Blake, is a scoundrel using spiritualism as a means to swindle members of high society.”

“He told you of this?” I was surprised by Sebastian’s lack of candour but as he was not here to answer for himself I had to trust Nissa was honestly informed.

“Of course, he tells me everything,” she beamed. “You require a young lady to be courted by one of Blake’s cabal, a young German Baron, yes? Well, I’d like to put myself forward for the job.”

I was stunned, especially when Nissa collected her purse from the floor, opened it and removed four items which she slid across the table. Bemused, I picked the items up. The first item was a calling card for her at Claridges, where she resided in the penthouse suite under the moniker Mrs. Mountjoy. The second was staged photograph of Miss Nissa looking very different. The young woman in the photograph appeared virginal and regal, her eyes peering up to the left as if she was seeking divine light. She wore a traditional Indian sari dress and her dark hair was braided, a gold chain adornment resting over her brow. The third item that Nissa gave me was a list of theatrical shows and society events for April, and the forth, a letter addressed to Baron Leopold Von Liebenstein.

“What is the meaning this?”

“I believe the ghastly events are due to come to a head. Therefore, I can offer two weeks of my time, from the twenty-eighth of March to the tenth of April. This should be plenty of time to give the impression that Leopold is courting me. I’ve suggested events we would do well to be seen at.”

“But…but what of your reputation?” I blustered.

“I am already a source of society gossip due to my illegitimate birth and my vast inheritance. I’ve learned to let a little scandal wash over me.”

I continued to be astounded by Nissa’s tenacity. This young woman was more formidable than her nineteen years would suggest.

“Send my photograph and note to the young man to use as proof of a courtship and tell him of my status as a single woman with royal blood and wealth,” Nissa instructed. “The Forsythe-Smythe’s are having a spring ball on the thirty-first of March; an invitation will need to be sought. Also, the Theosophical Society meeting on Friday the first of April is one that I would like to attend with this young man.”

“But I don’t understand? Why are you offering yourself to be ill used?”

“Blake mistreated my father and I believe he is using coercion to control you and a number of others too. I will be your spy and I can learn the details of his plans. More than anything I want to make that man rue the day he hurt Sebastian.”

I stared across the table at my dining companion. I was rather dazed, feeling like I had been given orders by a matriarch, rather than a slip of a girl who had not yet passed twenty summers. I sat back, unable to consider eating anymore of what had been an exceptional main course. Miss Nissa’s plan was intriguing. It got me out of quite the pickle with Cavendish and Blake. I had avoided the most recent dinner invitation because I was afraid to announce my failure to convince Charles Ashe to offer his sister for use by the cabal. But this plan was worth considering. Nissa knew exactly what she was getting involved in.

“I would like to discuss this with Sebastian, but as an idea it is has much merit.”

Nissa’s eyes twinkled with delight. “I knew we would become fast friends.”

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