Changeling

He led me out of The Green Light and we walked to the end of the street while he told me how well I looked and as beautiful as ever—no, more so.

It was the typical Gerson charm and I did not believe a word of it; but I had to admit it was pleasant and I felt—as I always had—that he would be easy to talk to.

We crossed a road and in the next street was the little shop. Tables were not too close together and they were already serving tea though the place was not very full.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Gerson. A table for two?”

“Not too public a one, please, Marianna.”

“I know, sir.”

She smiled roguishly and gave me a speculative but friendly smile.

The table was in an alcove rather apart from the others.

“Ideal,” said Oliver. “Now bring us some tea and some of those superb scones of yours, please.”

She gave him an almost tender look and I thought, He may be a blackmailer and all sorts of a villain but he knows how to make people happy. Belinda … Lucie … and even the woman in the shop.

When tea was brought the waitress received a charming smile from him and I noticed that she served him as though it were a special pleasure to do so.

“Now tell me what this is about?” he said.

“Do you know anything about Celeste Lansdon?”

A smile curved his lips. “I know that she has made quite a stir. It’s hardly a secret. Poor Mr. Lansdon! I can’t help feeling sorry for him. He’s in a rather nasty position. There’s no doubt about that.”

“You hate him, don’t you?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve been annoyed with him.”

“He has suffered a great deal through this.”

“It won’t do him much harm. You’ll see. He’ll pop up again.”

“He has lost his chances in the Cabinet.”

“Well, he lost his seat once, didn’t he … over that first wife of his. And yet … there he was … all set for getting to the top. It’s all part of life … anyway the life of a man such as he is. He’s down … then he’s up. And the ability to fall and rise again … that’s the mark of a strong man.”

“You sound rather pleased about his troubles.”

“You could hardly expect me to go into sackcloth and ashes, could you?”

“No … but perhaps a little sympathy.”

“I am afraid we are not all as good as you obviously are.”

“Do you know anything about Celeste Lansdon’s disappearance?”

“Why should you think I would know about it?”

“I saw you with her once. You were coming out of The Hanging Judge.”

“I did not see you. I wish I had.”

“So … I know you were in touch with her.”

“Poor girl! He treated her badly, didn’t he? He neglected her. She was very unhappy. You can try people too far. What a juicy scandal it is! In view of his past history particularly. He was lucky to get out of the club business when he did.”

“You have stayed in it.”

“My dear Rebecca, I am not a budding cabinet minister. I can live my own quiet life and as long as I am on the right side of the law, I am in the clear.”

“Providing you don’t indulge in a little … blackmail?”

He was taken aback for a moment or two and I went on: “I overheard a conversation of yours. You were offering to marry me in exchange for some partnership. Do you remember?”

“Listeners do not often get the entire story. Marrying you would have been no hardship, but I did think that having family ties with Benedict Lansdon would have been advantageous, especially when the lady in question was the most charming I was ever likely to meet.”

“I’d rather you dispensed with the gallantry.”

“It’s genuine. I am very fond of you. I like your spirit. You are bold to come rashly to night clubs … even by day. They are no place for a respectable young lady.”

“I gathered that. But you must know that Benedict has … and still is … suffering a great deal.”

“It can’t have been easy for him. Do you care so much about that? I gathered that he was not one of your favorite people.”

“That has changed. He has done a great deal for me. I want to help him if I can.”

“A great deal… for you?”

“Yes, he has helped to put things right between me and the man I hope to marry.”

“This lucky man is …?”

I made an impatient movement, and he went on: “I mean he is the lucky one … the luckiest man on Earth. Is it Pedrek Cartwright?”

“Yes.”

“And he has done this marvelous thing? What is in it for him?”

“Nothing. You don’t understand. He could not bring himself to forget the past … the death of my mother … now he is breaking through. He and I …”

“It’s very touching,” he said with a hint of cynicism.

I half rose. “I can see it is no use …”

“Of course that’s not so. Listen to me. I want to help you.”

“Do you really mean that?”

“From the bottom of my heart.”

“You are so superficially charming, I admit, but I do not know how much I can believe.”

“You can believe that I would do a great deal to help you.” He looked so sincere that I really did begin to believe him.

“Tell me about Pedrek,” he said, and rather to my surprise I found myself relating what had happened in Cornwall, of the part Belinda had played in ruining our lives which might have been forever had it not been for Benedict.

“That child! What a wild creature she is! I was fond of her, you know.”