Page 111 of Of Fate and Phantoms
Alice rushed down the stairs, a fringed shawl slipping off her shoulders. "Thank goodness you're back. We've been worried."
Seth held out his hand to Alice. She seemed confused by the gesture then took it. "I'm sorry I can't use my right hand," Seth said indicating his badly bruised right, cradled against his chest.
Alice gasped. "What happened?"
"I punched someone very hard." He jerked his head, flicking his damp hair off his forehead. "It's nothing."
Alice looked at Lincoln, Gus and me. "Are you all hurt?"
"Just the men," I told her.
Cook slapped Gus's shoulder in a friendly gesture and Gus yelped. "Where does it hurt?" Cook asked him.
"There." Gus shrugged off his coat, hissing in pain. "Everywhere."
"Doyle, fetch Dr. MacDonnell," I said. "Tell him there will broken bones, bruises and cuts. A lot of them."
"I'll leave right away," the butler said. "Before I go, I must warn you that we have some visitors staying the night."
I lifted my brows at Alice. "Not your parents already, surely?"
She shook her head. "The children. Mrs. Cotchin put them all in the last bedroom. They managed to fit in the bed, but it's tight."
"Mink?" I blurted out. "Is he here?"
"I'm here," came a small voice from the shadows. He stepped forward and I ran to him and hugged him. I was happier to see him than I had been to see Harriet.
He wriggled in my embrace and I pulled away. He looked unharmed, but tired. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing." He dipped his head, sheepish.
"Tell them," Alice ordered gently.
"I went for a walk." He shrugged. "I had to think."
"You went for a walk!" I cried. "Without telling anyone? Mink, you ought to know better."
"Didn't think anyone cared," he muttered.
I hugged him again and ignored his protest. "Finley cared enough to race here when he realized you didn't get home," I said in his ear. "And I've been worried sick all day. Next time, tell someone where you're going."
He nodded and wriggled free again. He lifted his gaze to mine. "I had to think about the things you said, about staying here with you."
"And you've decided to stay. I amsorelieved."
Mink glanced past me to Lincoln. He cleared his throat. "Sir?"
"You may stay," Lincoln said. "Until a better arrangement can be made."
"What can be better than here?" I asked.
But he didn't answer. He limped past us to the kitchen. "Is there anything to eat?"
All except Mink headed to the kitchen. The other boys had already gone to bed, and Mink looked tired. He'd only stayed up to speak with us and make sure my offer still stood. Lady V, Mrs. Cotchin and Bella had also retired, much to Seth's relief. He'd forestalled his mother's lecture until the next day.
He accepted a bowl of soup from Cook and sat at the kitchen table. "Both my hands hurt," he said to no one in particular. "I'm not sure I can feed myself." He blinked innocently at Alice.
She pretended not to notice and handed a bowl of soup to me.
