Page 54 of Of Fate and Phantoms
We reached the third floor faster than I expected. Lincoln tapped on the window where we'd seen Lady Gillingham—Harriet—earlier. By the time I located holds for my fingers and feet, the window sash flew up. Harriet's face appeared. She smiled at Lincoln, then saw me and gasped.
"Charlie! When I heard the knock on my window, I suspected it would be Mr. Fitzroy, but not you. My goodness, come inside before you fall."
"She won't fall," Lincoln said.
I smiled at his faith in me. He helped me through the open window and didn't let go until I planted both feet flat on the floor. He untied me from the rope coiled around his waist.
"I enjoyed that," I said, dusting off my hands. We hadn't worn gloves, the better to grip onto pipes and ledges.
Harriet's bedchamber was very large and pink. From the dusky rose shade of the curtains to the bolder cerise of the bed cushions, it matched the woman’s girlish nature. The room was cold, however, with no fire in the grate. Our breaths frosted in the air. Fortunately, I was warm from the exercise.
"You're braver than I," Harriet whispered, glancing at her door.
"We saw your husband leave," Lincoln told her. "You're safe."
"Yes, but the servants…they spy for him."
"Spy?" I blinked. "What sort of husband spies on his wife?"
"The sort married to an ugly beast." She plopped down on the bed, her pretty face a picture of misery.
I sat next to her and went to take her hand to squeeze it as a show of support, but stopped myself. Her station was far above mine. As friendly as she was, she might not like me touching her. "The servants know nothing of your shape shifting, do they?"
She shook her head. "Gilly told them that I'm unwell and must remain in my rooms tonight. Even if I ask to leave, they're not to allow it."
"He's keeping you prisoner in here?"
"I'm sure I'll be allowed out in the morning." She lifted one shoulder before it slumped further than before.
"He's the beast," I muttered. "Not you."
She blinked tear-filled eyes. "Thank you, Charlie."
"For what? I haven't done anything. And to be perfectly honest, we're here because we want something from you, although if I'd known you were being kept prisoner, we would have come sooner—and perhaps brought something to make your imprisonment less dull."
"Sherry?"
"I was thinking of a deck of cards."
She giggled into her hand. "Thank you for cheering me up a little. But please, don't blame Gilly entirely for this. He is only doing what he sees as right."
"Right?" I blurted out. "If he seesthisas the proper way to treat a woman, he needs spectacles to improve his vision. It is never right to have your freedom curtailed."
"Gillingham will hear from me in the morning," Lincoln said.
"No!" Harriet sprang up but sat down again just as abruptly, as if she'd surprised herself with her vehemence. "Please don't mention you were here. It will only make things worse."
I looked to Lincoln and shook my head. His flattened lips were the only sign he'd comply with her wishes.
"Better times are ahead of us," Harriet said, her childlike voice full of hope. "If only I can have a baby. All I have to do is convince him to…" Her hands screwed into her skirt, and she studiously avoided our gazes.
"Right," I said. "Well then. The reason behind our visit. We want to know what you were about to say to me when your husband interrupted us. You said you might know of something that could help us learn who the imposter is."
"Yes, of course." She plucked at her skirts. "It's not much, and I hope I haven't brought you here under false pretenses. You see, it may not work."
"Work?" Lincoln asked with a small frown.
"I know so little about what I am, but there is someone who knows more. Much more. He may have the answers you seek."
