Wait Until Midnight by Amanda Quick Page A

her quite nervous. I would not be surprised if she refuses all requests for sittings from strangers for a time. I would, if I were in her shoes."
    "Would you?"
    "Most certainly," she assured him.
    He did not bother to conceal his skepticism of that statement. Nevertheless, she could see that he was giving her words some close thought.
    "Are you acquainted with Toller?" he asked finally. She was making progress, she told herself.
    "We have not been introduced but I'm sure she will know who I am because I have been in Wintersett House several times recently to conduct my research. As you just witnessed in the case of Mr. Reed and Mr. Elsworth, my activities are no secret among the members of the Society for Psychical Investigations."
    There was a wry edge to the curve of his mouth. "In other words, your name might be just what I need for an entrée to Irene Toller's house; is that it?"
    "I do not think that it would seem odd to her if I re-quested a sitting. In fact, I might very well have done so in the normal course of events."
    He contemplated that for a moment longer. Then he straightened in his seat and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs.
    "Very well, Mrs. Fordyce," he said in his midnight voice. "If you can arrange a séance with Irene Toller, we shall attend it together."
    Relieved at having achieved her objective, she gave him an approving smile. "I will send a note to Mrs. Toller immediately. I'm sure there will be no difficulty."
    "Will I be allowed to hold your hand?" he asked. She froze. "I beg your pardon?"
    He drew the curtains closed across the carriage windows with a few swift, efficient motions, plunging the interior into intimate shadow. He reached out and caught hold of her hand.
    "I was under the impression that sitters at a séance often join hands." His fingers tightened gently around hers. "Something to do with strengthening or centering the power of the medium, I believe"
    She looked down at his large, strong fingers and discovered that she could scarcely breathe. He was so very close. "Yes, well, that is the usual explanation," she managed.
    "There are some who claim that mediums insist that every-one hold hands because that way a skeptical sitter is less likely to strike a light at an inopportune time or try to grab a spirit manifestation."
    "And thereby expose the medium's tricks," he concluded. "Precisely."
    "I shall look forward to holding your hand at the séance, Mrs. Fordyce"
    She could not move. She did not want to move.
    He held her transfixed with some invisible force while he slowly, deliberately raised her hand to his mouth. Turning her fingers palm up, he eased the green glove down just far enough to expose the exquisitely sensitive inside of her wrist.
    She stopped breathing altogether.
    When he kissed the place where her pulse beat so swiftly, she thought she would fall apart into a million tiny fireworks.
    "Mr. Hardesty," she whispered.
    He raised his head but he did not release her hand. "Call me Adam"
    `Adam." She tasted the name on her tongue and discovered for the first time in her life the exotic flavors of fire and ice.
    He smiled as though the sound of his name on her lips pleased him. Then he leaned a little closer. She realized with shock that he was going to kiss her right on her mouth. Before she could deal with the monumental implications of the situation, his lips closed over hers and the world around her dissolved into mist.
    A euphoric feeling welled up inside her; delight, excitement, curiosity and anticipation mingled, making her light-headed. Dazzled, she put her hands on his shoulders to brace herself. When she touched him, he made a harsh, urgent sound deep in his throat, gripped her shoulders and pulled her hard against his chest.
    He deepened the kiss until she could no longer think; until she was lost amid a tumult of powerful sensations.
    The well-sprung carriage clattered to a halt. Adam reluctantly eased her away from him, sat back against the