An Unexpected Peril (Veronica Speedwell, #6)

by Deanna Raybourn

You are in the grip of a very strong delusion if you think you did all of this in order to help Alice Baker-Greene or the Alpenwalders.” “To what other motive would you impute my actions?” I asked icily. “I could hardly be driven by remuneration considering we will not be paid for our efforts. It is not public adulation since our actions must remain private. So, fame and fortune are not my aims. What drives me then?” “Ennui.” “Ennui?” I laughed aloud. “You think I am bored?” “I think you are afraid of becoming so,” he corrected. “You have your work, which you enjoy but which offers no real sport now that you have curtailed your field expeditions. You no longer travel the globe in search of specimens, meeting new acquaintances and testing yourself against the most demanding of circumstances. Those are confining conditions to one who has been accustomed to the most liberal of freedoms.” Confusion settled over me, and I could not reply as he went on. “But most of all, I think you are afraid of becoming bored with me.”