Page 32 of Of Fate and Phantoms
He spluttered words, but they hardly made any sense. Harriet appealed to me. "Don't, Charlie. He doesn't like discussion about my other form."
"Then it's time he got used to it. Your wife has a unique perspective," I told him. "One that may offer clues about a ministry matter that arose out of Leisl's confrontation with the Prince of Wales at the masked ball."
He went still. "You've been investigating the seer's claims?"
"Of course. It would be remiss of us not to. It led us to a meeting at the palace—"
"The palace! Why have I not been informed?"
"I'm informing you now."
"Not soon enough. The committee must be kept informed as these things arise."
"I'll pass your suggestion on to Lincoln. He is the head of the ministry, after all."
He resumed his spluttering.
"The meeting took a turn toward the supernatural and shape shifting, to be more specific," I went on. "We thought your wife might be able to advise us on the matter, considering…"
"She cannot. She knows nothing."
"I'd rather hear that from her lips, not yours."
"I am her husband! She'll do as I say."
"Yet she is the stronger. Perhaps it'syouwho ought to obeyher."
A flicker of fear appeared in his eyes before it vanished. His cheeks pinked, however, and he turned away. It must be odd for a man so used to being in command in his own household to suddenly realize he was weaker than his wife. He still held all the legal and financial power, but she had a bargaining chip in their marriage now that she never had before. I wanted him to know it. I wanted her to know it, too.
She simply stared at me, her gentle eyes round. She'd probably never heard anyone speak to her husband the way I spoke to him, let alone a woman.
"Who else knows about her?" Gillingham asked.
"Lincoln, myself, Gus and Seth."
"Seth too?" Harriet groaned.
"Lord Marchbank and Lady Harcourt don't know," I assured her. I thought it best not to mention Alice. "None of us will tattle. Your secret is safe, but we had to tell Seth and Gus now that there's a threat to the crown."
"What is the threat, precisely?" Gillingham demanded.
"It's too early to say. We must investigate more before—"
"Bah! You know nothing. I'll ask Fitzroy."
"Very well."
"A meeting will be called this afternoon, three o'clock. Be prepared."
"I can't be certain if Lincoln will be here."
"Be sure that he is." He turned and walked off. "Harriet! Come!"
She gave me an apologetic shrug and hurried after him.
"But what were you going to tell me?" I called after her.
She dismissed my question with a wave of her hand and raced down the front steps to the waiting carriage.
