A charity fundraiser (in reality yet another recruiting drive) drew the rich and famous into my modest mansion like flies to honey, or moths to a flame.
And when I say modest, it only had three floors, thirty bedrooms, twelve bathrooms, and thirty acres of lush forest and pasture. My stables were even more modest, housing only twelve pedigree horses, rather than the thirty I kept at my other mansion in Derbyshire.
But tonight's engagement was better suited to the more modest property I kept in Essex. For starters, Gilbert lived in Essex, commuting daily to London and back again from his house in Southend-on-Sea. Therefore, any function designed to draw him out would have to take place in Southminster.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxxVy06jSC
As usual, my staff had done themselves proud in turning the house into an extravagant affair, with an enormous buffet taking pride of place in the main dining room, roving entertainment, and, of course, a ball. For that seemed to me the best time to get up close and personal with Gilbert.
In a manner of speaking.
It was just after seven when he arrived, and I admitted to a small leap of the heart when he entered the dining room, all dapper elegance, if slightly awkward. I gathered he'd never been in such elite company before, and I suppressed a small smirk as I excused myself from my current guest and hurried over to the new arrival. "Darling, I'm so glad you're here," I said, gesturing imperiously for him to lower his head so I could kiss him on the cheek. Up close, he smelt of sandalwood and vanilla, an unusual combination, but rather alluring.
"Thanks," he said, smiling a bit more freely now. "You know, I always envied you your parties, Miss Rhees. I rather longed for the chance to see them in person, but, well, I'm just an accountant."
I waved it off and slid my arm through his. "Never mind that," I said. "You're here now. Shall I give you the grand tour?"
His face lit up. "I'd be honoured."
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Three quarters of an hour later, we returned to the dining room, and there, I spotted a few subordinates who'd come tonight for the purpose of helping me coordinate my latest recruiting drive. "I must leave you for now," I said to Gilbert, gently disengaging my arm from his. "But you must save me a dance or three. Or I shall be most cross."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jf2m8JURJ
The faint air of angst which had been clinging to him ever since his arrival lifted a little. "I'd be remiss not to honour your request," he said. "I'd count it an honour, Miss Rhees."
I tapped him lightly on the wrist with my fan, a seemingly idle gesture, but one which told my henchmen that, tonight at least, Mister Impossible Sentinel was to be given a wide berth. "I'd hold you to that," I said, before gliding over to my subordinates.
Candycane, Crazy Coyote, and Loud Sword all nodded to me as I approached. "What's the game plan tonight?" Candycane asked me. Watching her in her sleek copper gown, you'd never guess she was the most talented assassin I had in my arsenal. No one could pin her down, and her little candycanes were so innocuous you'd never guess for one minute they were the instrument of destruction she liked to use when carrying out her assignments.
"Leave Mister Impossible Sentinel to me," I told them. "I have plans surrounding him that cannot be disrupted."
"Of course," Crazy Coyote said, and the other two nodded their agreement. They trusted me implicitly, and they knew I had a good reason for inviting Mister Impossibe Sentinel tonight.
"Everything else stays the same," I said. "Keep your eyes peeled for Cleanser, Snow Storm, and Nightleaf. They're the three most likely to suspect something is up."
"They won't want to try anything," Loud Sword said firmly. "If they do, we can wrap them up and drop them in the Thames without nary a squeak or squeal."
I nodded. "Good."274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCjX7Tfmz7
I'd chosen these three because they were the best counters I had against the aforementioned superheroes. Each of my henchmen here tonight had skills that closely matched Cleanser, Snow Storm, and Nightleaf, and therefore, these three were the best way to dispatch of said superheroes. Not outright kill them, of course, but simply put them out of commission. 274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK1VACwIdX
Unfortunately, Cleanser, Snow Storm and Nightleaf were also fiercely loyal to Mister Impossible Sentinel, being his brother-in-law Conal, his sister Alice, and nephew Colum respectively. Which meant if they got even a whiff of what I had planned tonight, they'd step in and stop anything from happening. And for good reason. His first wife had been my sister, Alys, also known as Freeze Frame, a double agent working at the behest of our mother, Poison Princess, in order to seize control of The Aura Legion, the superhero alliance started under Mister Impossible Sentinel's grandfather, Doctor Chronos. Unfortunately, Alys had been exposed during a raid, forcing Gilbert to execute her himself. His family had never forgiven her betrayal, and mine had never forgiven her death.
Therefore, I had to be as circumspect as possible tonight. If any of Gilbert's family suspected I had ulterior motives for my desire to bring him here, they'd stand in my way as effectively as a wall of steel.
Not that I intended for anything to happen.
I was fixed on one goal - getting to the bottom of Mister Impossible Sentinel's problems so he could return to the fighting style I knew him for.
Then I'd work to finally put him down so I could get justice for my sister and fulfil our mother's directive of turning The Aura Legion to our use.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBY5DtnPRZ
It had nothing to do with love, desire, or a need to get closer to the man under the red and silver costume.
Not one bit.
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