Page 25 of Of Fate and Phantoms
I clicked my tongue and withdrew my hand from his. "You're a frustrating man."
He stroked the underside of my jaw with his thumb. "There's no time for more talking."
"Why not?"
"Because I need to do this."
He pulled me closer and kissed me. It was our first proper kiss in over a week and its intensity slammed into me, sending my blood racing. I'd wanted this, ached for it, and it seemed that he'd wanted it too. He held me firmly, not allowing me to move an inch. I didn't want to. Why would I when the kiss made my body sing?
Why had he not kissed me like this in all these long days? Because he was afraid of being seen? Or afraid of not being able to stop?
It could be why he left the kiss until now, only a few minutes from Lichfield. I would think about it more when I had the chance. For now, I wanted to wallow in his kiss, his warm arms, his unconditional love, and simply enjoy what time we had left alone.
The carriage stopped far sooner than I expected. Had we passed through the Lichfield gates already?
Lincoln set me aside, putting distance between us, and drew in a ragged breath. Without so much as a glance my way, he opened the door, startling Seth. Seth eyed the fogged windows and broke into a grin.
Lincoln pushed past him. "Something you want to say?" he growled
Seth's smile withered. "No!" He bent to lower the step for me.
Lincoln assisted me from the carriage. Behind him, Seth broke into a grin again and winked at me.
My face flushed.
"Meet us in the library as soon as you and Gus are ready," Lincoln told him. He offered me his arm and we walked in together.
Several minutes later, Seth and Gus joined Lincoln, myself, and Alice in the library. He'd decided to include her but had not explained why. Perhaps he simply thought she ought to know certain things now that she lived with us. Yet he had not asked Lady Vickers to join in.
Cook brought in tea and fruit cake and sat down. "How be the old girl, Charlie?"
"Her Majesty seemed sad," I said, pouring the tea. "I'm not sure if summoning her husband's spirit in her presence was a good idea."
"Does she look like her likeness?" Gus asked. At my frown, he pulled a penny out of his waistcoat pocket.
"A little older." I handed a cup and biscuit to Alice. "And thicker around the jaw."
"I cannot fathom meeting the queen," Alice said. "You're so fortunate. It'll be an experience you'll remember forever, and a good story to tell your children."
"It was an odd experience, overwhelming at first. Once her husband's spirit appeared, she became more…normal. I felt sorry for her."
"And the future king?"
"He's just a regular man, really, except he never called the queen Mother or Mama. I wonder if he does in private."
Lincoln and I recounted the events of the meeting. When we got to the part about the medium, Mrs. Beaufort, Seth said, "I know of Beaufort, but we've never met. They keep to themselves and their own circle. Is she listed in the archives?"
Lincoln nodded. "I see no reason to speak to her at this point in time."
"The most interesting part of our meeting occurred after we left the queen," I said. I told them about the imposter and Lincoln's theory of body changers.
"They exist?" Alice asked, her eyes huge.
"I heard rumors of one some time ago," Lincoln said. "I never found him, however, and have no proof."
"Surely it's impossible."
"Mere months ago, I thought raising the dead was impossible," I said. "And dreams coming to life."
