The Vanishing Thief by Kate Parker Page B

forgotten.”
    Another guest came up to us. Lord Hancock paid attention to only Lord Naylard, saying, “I’m glad I’ve seen you tonight. I have an opportunity I’d like to let you in on. I’ll stop by your club tomorrow.”
    Hancock had seen me at the Archivist Society meeting he’d crashed. He apparently hadn’t considered me worthy of notice that night, but I turned to face Lucinda Naylard and hoped he didn’t recognize me.
    Miss Lucinda ignored me and moved between Hancock and her brother. “He has no interest in investing in machines of war, Lord Hancock.”
    â€œThe British army is fighting all over the globe for our empire. They should have every advantage,” Hancock said.
    â€œOur army already has the advantage over those poor natives in every way. You can’t save the world by inventing noxious things and blowing everyone up. And that’s all we’ve seen your inventions do.” Miss Lucinda put a lovely sneer in her tone. I was impressed with her polished reserve. Apparently so was Naylard. He took a half step behind his sister.
    Hancock matched her sneer as he said, “You claim to be concerned about saving the souls of all mankind, but I’m the one who’s lived in Africa and met those savages. I’ve seen what they’re capable of, and I think our soldiers should be protected from those heathens.”
    Lady Naylard sniffed indelicately and said, “What were you doing that made the natives respond with violence?”
    Hancock narrowed his eyes and jutted his chin aggressively. “I was studying the medical properties of plants and insects. Nothing that should have upset them. But I saw barbarism that can’t be believed in this civilized country, much less spoken of in polite society.” He focused on Naylard and said, “Keep your sister home where she’s safe to believe the natives have souls worth saving.”
    Naylard was saying, “Oh, I can’t let her leave—,” as a very young woman dressed in the height of fashion and dripping jewels joined us, Lady Westover at her side. Lucinda Naylard gave Hancock a scowl and turned to the new arrivals.
    â€œGeorgia,” Lady Westover said in a tone designed to remind everyone they were at a dinner party, “I’d like you to meet Miss Daisy Hancock. Her mother was my dear goddaughter. And have you been introduced to Lord Hancock, her uncle and guardian?”
    I dropped into my curtsy again, keeping my head down in the hope that Lord Hancock wouldn’t recognize me.
    When I glanced up, Hancock looked fully at me for the first time and scowled. I decided to stay in character and hope he only thought I resembled someone as I said, “Lady Westover has mentioned you’re a famous scientist.”
    â€œMore like infamous,” Lucinda Naylard murmured.
    Miss Daisy looked her over with a pitying expression and said, “My uncle’s a brilliant man. Too bad you don’t recognize his greatness. He’s done vital work for the army and he’s a fellow of the Royal Society. I’ve been privileged to live in London with him since my parents’ death.”
    â€œAssociate fellow, actually,” Lord Naylard added with happy eagerness, and then dipped his head like a scolded puppy when Hancock glared at him.
    â€œOh, good for you,” Miss Lucinda said with such finality the young woman was shocked into silence.
    Hancock pulled Lady Westover aside and said in a loud whisper, “Really, should you be inflicting your unsavory relations on Miss Daisy? She’s an innocent who was presented to the queen less than a year ago.”
    â€œOh, Georgia is innocent of any trespass. It’s her grandmother I wouldn’t introduce to Miss Daisy,” Lady Westover said blithely. “I had the worst time getting in contact with you. You really should let your friends know when you move.”
    â€œWe moved last fall