Miss Serena MacMasters. Johanna rubbed a little circle against her left temple. She’d no idea Connor’s sister was in London. Her gaze shot to the books neatly shelved from floor to ceiling. She’d be sure to keep the curious Scotswoman and her peculiar formulas from her treasured volumes.
Johanna tossed the card on the desk and came to her feet. “Please send her in.”
Moments later, Serena shot the housekeeper lingering in the doorway a cool, subtly forbidding glower. With a little humph and an equally fierce scowl, Mrs. Mitchell stepped into the study.
“Will there be anything for you now, Miss?”
“No, thank you, Mrs. Mitchell.”
“You’re sure of that, ma’am? I’d be happy to fetch more tea. Or some shortbread for the two of you.”
Johanna shot a glance to the plate on her desk that bore three still-warm scones. A pot of tea sat to the side. “I believe we’ve all we might need.”
“Very well. I’ll be about if you need me.”
“Thank you,” Johanna said with a nod, then greeted Serena. “Miss MacMasters, you are looking well. This is a pleasant surprise.”
“I’m Serena to ye, Johanna. After the adventure ye shared with my kin, the time for formalities has passed.” Clad in a rich green traveling suit that brought out the emerald in her gaze, Serena had draped her long, slender neck in a vivid tartan plaid. The same distinctive pattern trimmed the pert hat that teetered on the mass of dark curls she’d attempted to confine in a prim coif.
“Quite so,” Johanna agreed. “Your brother—Gerard—I trust he is recovered from his injuries.”
“He’s nearly good as new. It wasnae the first time he’s taken a bullet, and likely, willnae be the last. His body armor protected his vital organs, but the wound to his shoulder has slowed his exploits a bit.”
“The armor was a brilliant device. It may have saved his life as well as Connor’s.”
“Brenna McKittrick is a clever one. Sly as they come.” Serena removed a wrapped parcel from her valise and presented it to Johanna. “Connor wanted me to give this to ye.”
Johanna took the item in hand. She felt her brow furrow. “My, whatever is the occasion?”
“This is his way of offering thanks for all ye did to preserve the artifact.” Serena glanced behind her, as if to confirm Mrs. Mitchell was out of earshot. “The stone is safe in the Highlands. Regardless of what one believes about the legends surrounding the ruby, it is a part of our heritage.”
Johanna’s gaze darted to a framed portrait of Laurel. “He…you all, actually…were instrumental in recovering something far more valuable to me. For that, I’ll always be in your debt.”
“Open it, Johanna. Please.”
With a few careful motions, Johanna peeled away the paper. Her eyes settled on the book. On the so-very-familiar title. Frankenstein.
“This volume is an original,” Serena explained. “Connor acquired it from a legitimate collector.” Her lips quirked as amusement danced in her eyes. “Ye’ve no worries of me taking any chemicals to this one.”
For a heartbeat.…or two…or three, Johanna stared down at the precious book. “This is quite extravagant. I’ve done nothing to merit such a lavish gift.”
“My brother felt otherwise.” Serena reached for a scone. “May I?”
“Certainly.” Johanna ran a fingertip over the leather-bound volume. The book must have commanded a princely sum, indeed.
“If ye’re worried about the cost, dinnae.” Serena read Johanna’s features with uncanny accuracy. “The price scarcely made a dent in my brother’s coffers. It’s high time he parted with some coins from that money bag of his.”
Johanna’s fingers skimmed the supple binding. She met Serena’s warm eyes. “Still, I don’t feel quite right about accepting such a generous gift.”
“Would it make ye more inclined to take it if I told ye I’d also come seeking a favor?” The glimmer in Serena’s gaze seemed a warning.
“I’m not entirely certain of my answer. If there’s anything involving a curse, I will have to decline.”
Serena shook her head, her hat bobbing precariously on her abundant dark curls. “Nothing so daring as that, I’m afraid. My request is actually rather mundane.”
Johanna smiled. “After the events of the recent past, mundane is a lovely word indeed.”
Serena toyed with a scrap of ribbon dangling from the brim. “I understand ye’re intending to sail to America. The ship departs tomorrow.”
“Yes, that’s correct. How did you know when we leave?”
“I will be on that vessel, as well. Ye see, Egyptian antiquities are a passion of mine. There is a group in Philadelphia—a coterie, if you will—that holds great interest for me. Mrs. Sara Yorke Stevenson’s lectures on Egyptology are said to be electrifying.” Excitement colored Serena’s voice. “I understand ye have knowledge of the city and its people.”
“Philadelphia was my home before I ventured to London. How might I be of service?”