Page 21 of Ashes To Ashes
"You are the most selfish, cold-hearted prick I've ever met," he snarled through his teeth. "When the killer is caught, I'm leaving Lichfield. I no longer want to work for someone who can banish the only person who cares about him without batting an eye."
Lincoln was too far away from the desk to use it as support, so he had to stand there and concentrate very hard on being still, on not blinking or showing these men that he felt sick to his core every time he thought about Charlie being far away.
Fortunately he didn't need to order them to get out. They left of their own accord, although Gus couldn't resist a parting shot. "I hope your shriveled heart keeps you warm at night."
"Close the door," Lincoln told him.
Gus's top lip curled up, but he did as ordered.
Alone again, Lincoln sank onto the chair at his desk and dragged both hands through his hair and down his face. With shaking fingers, he removed the key to Charlie's room from his pocket and placed it in his top drawer. Then he locked it.
Chapter 5
"Your hair looks fine," Seth said yet again, as his mother patted her hair for the hundredth time. He had to shout to be heard above the rain attempting to smash through the carriage roof. The weather had turned vicious.
"Fine?" Lady Vickers continued to pat. "It needs to be better than fine."
"It is. It's lovely. Elegant." At his mother's continuing frown, Seth added, "Magnificent! Divine! Your new lady's maid is a marvel."
"She'll do. There appears to be a shortage of quality servants in the city."
"Bella was the only one I could find available to begin immediately." Seth tried to move his legs but found his mother's voluminous ink-black skirts in the way. He gave up and tucked his feet closer to his seat.
"Howdidyou find her, I wonder?"
Lincoln watched mother and son exchange hard glares and wished he was somewhere else. Anywhere else. He knew how Seth had found Bella—she was one of his many mistresses—and it seemed his mother had guessed.
"Luck," was all Seth said.
Lady Vickers tucked her hand back into her fur muff. It seemed she wasn't so destitute that she'd sold off the evening gown, only the jewels. Her ears, throat and fingers were quite bare. "I do hope she won't be a distraction to the other servants. She is, after all, very young and pretty." Was she speaking to Seth or Lincoln? Lincoln decided not to answer.
"Not that young." Seth's mutter was barely audible above the rain. "She's twenty, at least."
His mother's lips pinched. Her gaze turned sharp. "You're not to look at her, Seth. I know what you're like, and she's not for you."
"So it's perfectly acceptable for you to fraternize with the staff but not me."
The baroness thrust out her noble chin as far as it would go. "I did my duty. I married well the first time and didn'tfraternizewith anyone until after my husband died."
"'The first time?'" Seth paled. "Mother…tell me you didn'tmarrythe footman."
Lady Vickers turned to the window, her chin somewhat lower. Seth had his answer. He sat back in the leather seat, deflated.
Lincoln might hate balls, but Harcourt House couldn't come fast enough. The air in the carriage was frostier than outside. One of Julia's footmen opened the door, handed Seth an umbrella, and stepped aside as Seth climbed out. He assisted his mother and they walked up the steps arm in arm, as if they hadn’t just argued. Lincoln didn't want to miss Julia's reaction upon seeing them, but he needed to have a quick word with Gus first. He accepted the second umbrella from the footman and handed his flask up to Gus.
Gus took a moment before he shook his head. "Got me own, sir." He patted the chest of his coat. Despite the weatherproof coat with its multiple capes and the wide-brimmed hat, Gus was thoroughly wet.
"You might need another," Lincoln told him, holding the flask higher.
Gus took it with a nod. "Thank you, sir."
Another coach pulled up behind, and Gus drove off. Millard took Lincoln's umbrella, coat and hat in the hall, then Lincoln headed upstairs. He joined Seth and Lady Vickers in the ballroom, where they had stopped to speak with Julia at the entrance. Lady Vickers was regaling their hostess with the tale of her sea voyage. Julia appeared to be listening with polite interest.
"Thank you for the invitation, Julia," Lady Vickers said. "It's most unexpected but very considerate indeed." Like her son, Lady Vickers could turn on the charm when she wanted to. Her superior manner seemed to come naturally, as if she believed she had a right to be there. It would take a socially confident woman to turn her away. "My return to London must be quite the sensation ifyouheard about it," Lady Vickers finished.
Julia's smile broadened. She never smiled that much. Not sincerely anyway. "I'm delighted that you accepted my invitation. And you too, Seth."
Seth bowed over her hand, but he didn't hide his distaste. Ever since witnessing Julia's cruel behavior toward Charlie, Seth had gone cold toward his occasional lover. The only indication that she noticed was a slight tightening of her lips as he straightened.
