Page 88 of From the Ashes
Could he have been the one to inform the newspaper of her past? It was difficult to tell from his response, yet I could see him betraying her as revenge for her rejecting his advances in favor of his rich, titled father.
Lincoln joined us and announced it was time to leave.
"So soon?" Mrs. Overton pouted. "What a shame. Isn't it, my dear?" she said to her daughter.
"Such a shame," Miss Overton repeated without an ounce of sincerity. It would seem she no longer considered him a prospect, although her mother still did. Perhaps the conversation with him had cured Miss Overton of any tender feelings she once held. Knowing Lincoln, he would have made conversing difficult. Idle conversation wasn't his strong suit.
"Do come again," Mrs. Overton said to Lincoln as we made to leave. "Your presence is always welcome here, sir. As is your ward's," she added as an afterthought.
Lincoln and I thanked her.
Mrs. Overton elbowed her daughter. Miss Overton cleared her throat. "I've enjoyed your conversation tonight, Mr. Fitzroy."
"And I yours," he intoned.
Gus brought our carriage around and we piled inside, snuggling into our fur coats and the blankets set out for us.
"Poor Gus, out there in the cold," I said.
"Poor Gus!" Seth patted the blanket around his lap. "He's been having a right old lark in the mews, lucky prick. He hasn't had to listen to bloody Seacombe go on about his dead lions. I don't remember him being such a bore."
"I do," his mother said.
"Then why did you want Charlie to sit with him?" Seth asked. "I heard you pester the Overton woman to change the arrangements."
She sniffed. "Reasons, dear boy, reasons."
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Lincoln asked me.
I sighed. "Not really."
It was dark in the cabin, but I could swear he smiled.
"It's not about enjoyment," Lady Vickers declared. "It's about making connections, angling oneself into the right set. Seacombe is rich and spends most of his time traveling. His wife would be very comfortable here and able to be her own person without interference from a demanding husband. I happen to think that arrangement would suit Charlie well."
"Charlie wouldn't want it that way," Seth said.
"Charlie can decide for herself, thank you," I said, snippy.
Seth groaned and tipped his head back. "I should have drunk more.Thenit would have been a good night."
"I have a suggestion," I said. "One that came to me as we sat in the drawing room waiting for the men to join us. You're not going to like it."
"In that case, the answer's no," Seth said.
"Agreed," Lincoln said. "We are not using you as bait."
Either he'd guessed or used his seer's powers.
"Bait?" Lady Vickers asked. "Does this have anything to do with Seacombe?"
"Seth will explain later," Lincoln told her.
Seth tilted his head forward. "I will?"
"Tell her everything."
Seth groaned. "This evening suddenly got worse."
