Page 12 of Of Fate and Phantoms
Gus pounced on it, but Seth slapped his hand away. "Ladies first." He slid the tray toward Alice.
She took a biscuit and thanked him. Seth smiled then slid the tray closer to himself, away from Gus. It didn't stop Gus from reaching over and grabbing a tart.
Lincoln, standing at the stove, poured hot chocolate directly into cups that I handed out to everyone. Doyle didn't want one, and nor did he eat. He looked tired.
"Perhaps you should retire," I said quietly to him.
"Not while Mr. Fitzroy needs me," he said.
"I don't need you," Lincoln said, sitting beside me. "Charlie's right. You should retire."
Doyle looked as if he would protest but then seemed to think better of it. There really could be no arguing with Lincoln on this score. He'd never required the services of a valet before, and there was nothing else for Doyle to do. "Very good, sir. I'll see that all the doors are locked before I go up. Goodnight everyone, and a very happy new year."
At some point on the journey home, the clock had ticked past midnight and into 1890. A new year and a new beginning.
"How be the evening?" Cook asked once Doyle was gone. We kept no secrets from Doyle, but sometimes the men didn't feel as if he was one of us since he'd only joined the Lichfield Towers staff recently.
"Interesting," Seth told him. "My mother caused a commotion that means we'll probably never get invited back to the Hothfields."
Gus chuckled. "The more I know of your mother, the more I like her."
Seth wrinkled his nose. "If you marry her, I willnotcall you Papa."
That got everyone laughing, even Seth.
"She wasn't the only one causing commotions," Lincoln said.
I touched his knee under the table, wanting him to know that I supported his decision to discuss Leisl and her vision with the others. He rested his hand over mine.
"My mother showed up."
The kitchen filled with gasps, including my own. I hadn't expected him to tell themthat.
"That gypsy is your mother?" Seth asked.
"Romany," I corrected. "They don't like being called gypsy."
"Could you not see the resemblance?" Lincoln asked.
"A little, now that you mention it," Seth said with a shrug. "But…if she's your mother, who's your father?"
Lincoln's fingers flexed around mine. "That information is not important."
Seth pressed his lips together and concentrated on his cup.
Lincoln briefly told Gus and Cook about Leisl's vision.
"The question is, what do we do now?" I asked. "The prince ought to be protected."
"How?" Cook asked. "He doesn't believe in her visions."
"He believes," Lincoln said. "He doesn't want to admit it."
"He'll be quaking in his jeweled slippers tonight then," Gus said with a snort.
"We should visit him tomorrow," I said.
Alice laughed softly. "Charlie, one doesn't simply pay calls on the royal family."
