the ways that was true. There was no one who’d stand by your side and stare down demons with you as much as a sister would. She’d then kick you for being stupid and getting involved with demons after the fact, but a sister was always there when it counted. Images of Daciana and Ileana sprang to mind, too. I was elated to count them as my sisters as well, regardless of the ruined wedding.
“What did she say that upset you?”
Minnie drew in a deep breath. “I know I’m not… as I said before, Henry enjoys beautiful things. I know I’m plain. My hair is a dull brown; my eyes are utterly ordinary. I often wonder how I drew his attention, but when Anna said I was being foolish… that if he was as handsome and charming as I’d described—” She sniffled. “Well, she doesn’t think his intentions are very pure. You see, we have a small inheritance. And I started thinking about—”
Just then, a man in a bowler hat and matching brown suit stepped into the room. He started forward, then halted when he noticed me. I nearly dropped my tea when I recognized his striking blue eyes. He was the young man who’d given me directions to the pharmacy.
Those same eyes fixed on my face, widening ever so slightly before he blinked. Warmth flooded his features. “Minnie, my dear, I didn’t know you were entertaining. I’m sorry to barge in so rudely.” In a few strides he crossed the room, bending to kiss his new wife. He turned to me, a small grin starting. “Miss Wadsworth, wasn’t it?”
I nodded, impressed he’d recalled my name. “I apologize, but I don’t remember…”
“Please, call me Henry.” At Minnie’s confused expression, he explained. “I ran into Miss Wadsworth and her fiancé on their way to the pharmacy the other day.” He turned back to me, expression polite. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
The bloodstained bedsheet crossed my mind. It was alarming, almost, how I could envision such garish things with startling clarity and pretend them away. “No. I’m afraid we didn’t.” I narrowed my eyes a bit. “You didn’t mention owning the pharmacy.”
“Quite right. I don’t like boasting about my properties and businesses. I own several around Chicago alone. Well,” he said, his attention flicking to the clock on the mantel. “I must be off. I just wanted to give my wife a proper good-bye.”
He kissed the top of Minnie’s head, warmth returning to his features. I studied him, trying to find truth in what Minnie’s sister had worried about. To all outward appearances, he seemed to genuinely care for Minnie. The sparkle in his eyes didn’t appear fake. Though he wasn’t quite as perfect as she’d made him out to be. He was of average build and height, if not a bit on the short side. His face was wholly unremarkable except for his cunning blue gaze. That was shockingly magnetic. I imagined he’d get lost in a room full of men with similar builds.
“Don’t wait up, my dear,” he said. “I have a meeting all the way in the South Side tonight, and you know how that may go. If it gets too late, I may spend the evening in our rooms there.”
With another polite good-bye, he left us to our visit. Minnie’s demeanor had changed, her worry dissipated like morning dew in the sun. Her cheeks flushed pleasantly, and I wondered why she thought herself plain. When she looked at me, her whole face lit up. “Well?”
“He’s very nice,” I said. “I’m sure you’ll both be exquisitely happy.” She sighed dreamily. I wanted to ask further regarding her sister’s worries about him being interested in her money but didn’t wish to upset her again. At any rate, he had several businesses, so it appeared he was doing quite well on his own. “You mentioned your understudy has not been heard from. Is that something she normally did? Disappear for a few days?”
“Oh, no. Trudy wanted that role too much. She’d been a patient understudy, but you can always see the longing, you know?” She rearranged her skirts. “She’d stare at the stage as though it was the very source of her life. The electricity machine Mephistopheles crafted—when she watched it, it was like she’d seen an angel. I can’t imagine her giving it up, not now. And I cannot understand why she’d leave without telling anyone.”
“Did she travel anywhere out of the ordinary?”
“Not that I’m aware of.