Page 91 of Of Fate and Phantoms
"So she stays?"
He leaned a hip against the bench and regarded me levelly. "Charlie, there was never any question as to whether she stays or goes. Not in my mind."
"Oh. I see." I concentrated on washing the cup, feeling awful that I'd misjudged him. "Then we must do our best to allay her fears to insure there are no more nightmares."
"Do you think we did tonight?"
"I hope so. She looked relieved when you said you'd take it in hand and pay her parents a visit. Telling her that you'd mention the ministry certainly went down well."
"I thought it a nice touch."
"Will you tell them, if it came to that?"
He lifted one shoulder. "I don't know. I have to think through the repercussions."
We continued to wash the cups in silence. When I finished, I dried my hands on the cloth he used. Our fingers brushed. Our gazes connected. I waited, half expecting him to take me in his arms and kiss me. He did not.
"Lincoln," I murmured.
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you didn't confront King alone. I don't like it when you deliberately put yourself in danger."
He hesitated a moment then said, "Then I'll be careful." Had he expected me to say something else? Perhaps give him an answer about the engagement ring? "Go to bed, Charlie. You look tired."
He offered me his arm and I allowed him to escort me to my room. With a brisk kiss on the cheek, he bade me goodnight, then walked off without a backward glance.
* * *
"Someone's comingup the drive," Alice said as she entered the dining room where Gus, Seth, Lincoln and I ate an early breakfast. The men planned to leave soon to speak to King and I'd been about to tell Lincoln that I ought to go too.
"But it's not even eight," Seth protested with a glance at the clock.
Lincoln rose, not waiting for Doyle to announce the visitor. I followed him out, both curious and apprehensive. No one made calls this early unless it was very important.
Lincoln opened the front door as the large coach pulled by two magnificent , high-stepping horses came to a stop. I recognized the escutcheon of serpent coiled around a sword and groaned. Gillingham.
My faint hope that it would be Harriet and not her husband was dashed when he opened the window. He was alone.
"You!" Gillingham pointed the head of his walking stick at me. "What have you done?"
"All manner of things," I said, trying to keep calm and sound unruffled. But in truth, my stomach churned. The butler must have informed him that Harriet had gone out with me the day before, and now Gillingham wanted to drag me over hot coals to pay for it.
Gillingham's top lip peeled back from his teeth. "Where is my wife?" he ground out.
"What do you mean?" I asked. "Isn't she at home?"
"You've taken her somewhere and I demand to know,witch."
Harriet, gone?Oh God, no.
"Don't play the innocent with me. Where is she?"
"I, I don't know. I brought her home last night after our drive. She was there when we left. Ask your butler. He saw us."
"She left again. Snuck out of the house somehow, despite being confined to her rooms. Not a word to anyone, not even her maid.You'veencouraged her with your immoral talk, yourwickedness." He spat out the word along with a spray of spittle, and shook the walking stick at me.
Lincoln grabbed the brass head and wrenched it through the window. Gillingham shrank back inside. I suspected he'd remained in there because he was afraid of Lincoln.
