“ You have been one of my more interesting conquests .” He laughed coldly down at me as I lay there motionless , unable to move . “ I expect great things from you . If , you can rise above this , my …” he paused and smiled evilly down at me . “… little ingénue .”
I stared intensely up at him , burning his features into my mind ’ s eye . I would remember and one day I would find him . That was the vow I had made to myself as I lay there helpless that night . It is hard to believe how things have changed since then . To now think I might actually owe him a debt of gratitude . But that is getting ahead of myself , is it not ? Perhaps I should start back at the beginning so you may understand .
I had left my shop later that night than planned . My appointment was with Mr . Ardivan and he had arrived abnormally late , too late perhaps . After discussing the piece he sought at great length for almost two hours , both Mr . Ardivan and I heard the town bells ringing the tolls of eight o ’ clock from near the Northwest Square . We looked out the window at the clock tower , seeing that the time was indeed late and hurriedly stood up from the chairs we had been reclining in .
“ My goodness , is that really the time ?! Elizabeth is going to have my head .” Mr . Ardivan said , hurriedly gathering into his portfolio the papers he had been pursuing with me . “ I did promise her I would be home before eight . Oh dear ! I ’ m afraid my collection will be the cause of my divorce one of these days .” He smiled sheepishly at me , shutting his leather case .
“ I ’ m sure Elizabeth understands . She knew what you were like before she married you .” I told him smiling , as I led the way into the foyer , pausing for the briefest of moments to blow out the candle . “ She will only feign anger with you until you apologize .”
Mr . Ardivan grinned knowingly at my remark , waiting as Benjamin , my servant , opened the front door .
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