The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick

clients will respond when I give them the answers they pay me to obtain. You would be floored by how many of them become furious, for example. I certainly am.”
    Her mouth twitched a little at one corner. “Yes, I can see how you might find emotions a complicating factor.”
    “Well, we must come back to the matter of your reputation some other time. For the moment, we will stay focused on Hulsey.”
    “What did you say, Mr. Jones?”
    “I said that, for the moment, we must stick to the problem of Hulsey.”
    “Yes, I heard you, but why on earth would you want to concern yourself with the matter of my reputation?”
    “Because it is an interesting problem,” he said patiently.
9
    Lucinda finished supplying Caleb with the very short list of people who had toured the conservatory in the weeks before Knox had requested a tour, just as Shute halted the carriage in Landreth Square.
    Caleb looked out the window. “It appears that you may have a more active social life than you believe.”
    She followed his gaze and saw a lovely young blond-haired woman in a severe, russet brown traveling gown. The lady had just alighted from a hired carriage. The coachman was wrestling with a large trunk.
    “My cousin Patricia,” Lucinda exclaimed. “She will be staying with me for a month. I was not expecting her until this afternoon. She must have caught an earlier train.”
    “Miss Patricia,” Shute called from the top of the box. “Welcome back to London. It is a pleasure to see you again.”
    “It is wonderful to see you, also, Shute,” Patricia said. “It has been ages. My parents asked me to convey their greetings and best wishes to you and your family.”
    “Thank you, miss.”
    The door of number twelve opened. Mrs. Shute appeared.
    “Miss Patricia,” she exclaimed. “It is so good to have you back with us again.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Shute,” Patricia said. “I apologize for catching you by surprise like this. I know I was not expected until later today.”
    Mrs. Shute beamed. “Nonsense, I’ve had your room ready for days.”
    Caleb opened the carriage door and kicked down the steps. He squeezed out of the small vehicle with great care and then turned to offer his hand to Lucinda.
    “Lucy.” Patricia rushed forward.
    Lucinda opened her arms to hug her. “Patricia, I am so happy to see you again. It has been much too long.” She stepped back. “I would like you to meet Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones, my cousin Miss Patricia McDaniel. If you know anything about the study of paranormal artifacts, you will have heard of her father, I’m sure.”
    Caleb bowed over Patricia’s hand with a grace that startled Lucinda. The man might eschew polished manners most of the time but clearly he was capable of employing them when it suited him.
    “A pleasure, Miss McDaniel,” Caleb said, releasing Patricia’s gloved fingers. “I presume that your father is Herbert McDaniel?”
    Patricia dimpled up at him. “I see you do know your archaeologists, sir.”
    “Certainly those who are members of the Arcane Society and who are as brilliant as McDaniel,” Caleb agreed. “I was intrigued by his paper on that Egyptian funerary text that recently came into the Society’s collection. Fascinating insights into the psychical aspects of ancient Egyptian religion.”
    Lucinda smiled proudly. “Perhaps you have heard that the Council has appointed Patricia’s parents to catalog the Egyptian antiquities in the Society’s museum at Arcane House?”
    “I recall Gabe mentioning that McDaniel and his wife would soon be starting work on the project. It is about time that collection was cataloged.”
    “Patricia will also be working on the collection,” Lucinda said. “She has a talent for deciphering dead languages.”
    “There is a great need for that ability at Arcane House,” Caleb said. “How long will you be staying here in London?”
    Patricia smiled. “Just until I find a husband.”
    Lucinda opened her mouth but it took a