Page 104 of From the Ashes
"I'll return tomorrow," he said, eyeing me carefully.
Tomorrow took an awfully long time to arrive. When it finally did, I warred with myself all day about going against the doctor's orders, but Doyle and Seth assured me they would take care of Lincoln when he wasn't sleeping.
"He won't sleep if you go in there," Seth said as I hovered outside the door. "And he needs to rest. The doctor said it's not just the bump on the head, but he's most likely been suffering exhaustion for some time."
I slumped back against the wall and buried my hands in my hair. I hadn't bothered to fix it that morning, and it hung untidily past my shoulders.
"I knew it," Seth went on with a shake of his head. "I knew he wasn't sleeping while you were away. He was…erratic." He grunted. "I want to say it serves him bloody right."
"But you can't," I finished for him. "Nor can I."
Thank God a distraction arrived in the form of Alice. A hansom delivered her to our door, valise in one hand and the other clamped on her hat as she stared up at Lichfield's central tower.
"I had the same reaction when I first saw it," I said, running down the front steps.
"Charlie!" She dropped her valise and caught me in a hug. "I was beginning to wonder if I had the right place. You spoke so lovingly about it, but it's not at all what I expected."
I took her hands and smiled. "It's so good to see you. You look as pretty as ever, despite the long journey."
"I left at dawn. I think Mrs. Denk was glad to be rid of me." Her smile faded and her eyes shadowed.
I squeezed her hands. "Oh, Alice. I'm so sorry for what your parents have done to you. But you have a home here. Lincoln was adamant that you should be welcomed."
"I want to meet this mysterious gentleman of yours. I admit that I don't know whether to hate him for hurting you or think him wonderful for inviting me to stay."
"Don't hate him." I picked up her valise and headed up the steps. "As to meeting him, it will have to wait. He's unwell."
"Nothing serious, I hope."
"No," I said, unconvincingly. "He received a bad bump on the head the other night when the kitchen caught alight."
She gasped. "Good lord. Is everyone else all right?"
"Gus is a little hurt. We're also short staffed at the moment. Seth and Doyle are taking turns to watch over Lincoln and keep up with chores. That's why I'm carrying this." I indicated her valise.
She went to take it off me, but I refused. I led her upstairs to one of the guest bedrooms and promised to introduce her to the others after she freshened up. "I'm afraid dinner won't be a grand affair without a kitchen to cook in."
"I'm sorry I've come at such a difficult time," she said with a pained wince. "I feel awful for adding an extra burden. I'll try to help where I can."
"You're not a burden. You're excellent company. And thank you for the offer. You may need to do your own mending, washing, and cleaning for the time being."
"So it'll be just like the school but without Mrs. Denk smacking me on the back with her stick, ordering me to stand straight."
I laughed. God, it felt good to laugh. "She never did that to you. She didn't have to. You have perfect posture." I kissed her cheek. "I am glad you're here."
I introduced her to Gus and Lady Vickers over a dinner of cold salads. I thought poor Lady Vickers was going to have an attack of the vapors, she was so upset that a guest had to dine on such meager offerings.
"At least the setting is elegant," I said, indicating the fine china plates, the same ones we'd used the night of the fire.
"That's because these are the only ones left," she said huffily. "They're fit for roasted meats and salads, and delicious jellies and confections, not salads and sandwiches. I'm heartily sick of this."
"It's hardly been two days," I said.
"If you're sick of it," Gus said, "I'll have yours."
She slapped his hand away. "It'll be a welcome relief when you can resume your duties again, Gus."
"Amen," he muttered.
