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“How does he look at me?”

It had struck her more than once how ironic it would be if Gideon was one of those who she could not read with her abilities. She had never made a concerted attempt, feeling it unfair to do so without his permission. Yet she had known him so many years that she could often read his expressions because they were familiar. What had she missed that others noticed?

“Honestly?” Cordelia asked softly.

“Yes, of course.”

Cordelia tipped her head. “He looks at you with admiration, and, at times, with a kind of awe. Like you hung the moon.”

Electra scoffed and smoothed a hand over her skirt. “You are exaggerating, Cordelia.”

“I am not.” She beamed. “You are most observant and can see beyond what most of us can. You are a seer by nature, but sometimes I think you fail to notice what is right before your eyes. Particularly where Inspector Pierce is concerned.” Cordelia sipped from her teacup. “Or perhaps,” she added airily, “you do not wish to see it because you do not feel the same.”

Electra swallowed against a sudden tightness in her throat and scooped up her freshly filled teacup, taking a long drink of it.

Cordelia waited with uncharacteristic patience, saying nothing more.

Electra knew there was more to sort out between herself and Gideon than mere friendship. Yet she had pushed it aside, too focused on developing her abilities and too determined to find answers in the few cases they’d worked on together.

“I do not…” The difficulty of saying it aloud made her clench her teeth. “I do not know what to do with it, Cordelia. What shall I do with all these feelings I have for Gideon? Shall we become…?” Electra could not even find a word to encompass what they might be beyond friends.

“Paramours?” Cordelia said with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

“A scandalous proposition.” Electra could not imagine allowing herself to follow down such a scandalous path, even if some might consider her profession unspeakable. The notion of a mere dalliance with Gideon… No.

The terrifying realization came that she did not wish for anything so fleeting with Gideon. She wanted more.

“Do you prefer lovers?” Cordelia asked, voice playful.

“I think I would prefer to not continue this conversation.”

Cordelia chuckled.

“Honestly, though, what are the options? We admit our feelings are more than friendly, and then what?” Electra sipped her tea, then set the cup aside. “I am not certain I wish to marry. To give so much of my autonomy over to anyone. Even Gideon.”

“Do you think marriage is the inspector’s goal?”

“I do not know, but I know I would fall short in almost every duty a wife takes on.”

Cordelia smiled. “What are these duties? I wonder if I have fallen short.”

Electra shot her an exasperated glare.

“He already has a housekeeper,” Cordelia pointed out. “Do you really think a man who has asked you to assist him with a murder investigation would consign you to the kitchen the moment you exchanged vows?”

“I do not know.” Electra pushed the thoughts away. One question led to another and then to a collection of unanswered questions.

Cordelia surprised her by reaching out and resting a hand on Electra’s gloved one. “Then that, my dear, tells me that you and Gideon should have a conversation.”

The very idea made Electra want to bolt up from the settee. “I do not think…”

Cordelia merely squeezed her hand and huffed out a chuckle. “How is it that two people with such a commitment to finding the truth cannot speak honestly to one another?”

“Sometimes,” Electra began, “it is better to leave a matter as it is rather than ask questions and muddy the waters.” She wasn’t certain whether she was attempting to convince herself and Cordelia. “Gideon is committed to his work. I am committed to learning how to manage my abilities. There simply isn’t time for…more.”

Chapter Ten

The next morning, Gideon collected Electra early and they traveled together to Bow Street station to meet with Detective Sergeant Andrew Hardy.