From The Ashes (The Ministry of Curiosities #6)(21)

His eyes narrowed. The one with the scar became a mere slit among the muscular bulges of his face. It wasn't a handsome face, but it was wonderful to see it. I hugged him again. He chuckled and circled his big arms around me.

"So does Death have a heart?" he said, pulling away. "Or does he work better when you're here?"

I hadn't thought of it like that. I'd been wondering why Lincoln collected me when he didn't show any emotion toward me. It seemed unlikely that he wanted to resume our relationship…and yet he'd been worried about me. "Did he not work well while I was away?"

His thin lips thinned even more. "He was more reckless, careless and arrogant, but he talked to me and Seth more too. Told us what his plans were, and such, like we was his equals, not his servants. He never used to do that."

"No," I said quietly, "he did not."

"Come in. Meet Miss Parkin, my landlady. She's a bit soft in the head and will prob'ly forget you in five minutes, but she brews good tea."

I glanced over my shoulder at the waiting carriage. Doyle touched the brim of his hat and Gus greeted him heartily. Then he spotted Lady Vickers inside. She did not acknowledge him, but stared straight ahead.

"What'd you bring Lady Muck for?" he said with a sour twist of his mouth.

"I couldn't help it. She's looking for Seth. Is he here?"

"No."

"Do you know where he is?"

"Aye."

"Then we'd best go to him straight away. She's anxious to have him home again."

He grunted. "She'll be even more anxious when she sees what he's been doin' since he left Lichfield."

"Oh?"

The corner of his mouth lifted as if it had been hooked. "You'll find him at the Brickmaker's Arms about now. It ain't a place for ladies."

"Are you suggesting Lady Vickers doesn't come? We could try and take her back to Lichfield, but I doubt she'll like it. What happens at the Brickmaker's Arms that isn't fit for ladies to see?"

His grin widened, revealing jagged teeth. I used to think it a menacing smile, but now it made me grin in response. "Bare-knuckle fights."

My heart sank. "Seth's fighting again? But why? He's paid off his family debts."

He lifted one bulky shoulder. "Might be he just likes getting beat up."

"Nobody likes getting beat up, particularly Seth. He adores looking in the mirror too much."

He snorted a laugh. "Let me get my things."

"You'll come back to Lichfield tonight?"

"Course. Miss Parkin won't mind. She hardly remembers who I am most of the time. Gets scared when I come round a corner, and I have to tell her all over again that I'm rentin' one of her rooms."

"Perhaps she should take in female boarders."

"Or ones whose faces won't frighten the hairnet off her."

He disappeared and reappeared at the coach window a few minutes later. He knocked and I lowered it. "Evenin', milady." He doffed his cap to Lady Vickers. "Charlie told you we're takin' you home first?"

I sat back and kept my mouth shut. I'd told her no such thing. Perhaps it was wicked of me, but I saw no reason why she shouldn't see the places her son had frequented in his quest to pay back the debts she'd left him with. To be fair, the debts had been run up by her first husband, Seth's father, but she could have stayed in London to help her son face their creditors.

"I will be coming with you," she said with a haughty lift of her chin. "I want to make sure Seth does as he's told and returns home, tonight."

Gus rolled his eyes, then joined Doyle on the driver's seat. Perhaps I should have too. Lady Vickers sat sullenly opposite me, muttering, "He's been away long enough. He made his point." I thought Seth's point had nothing to do with her, but perhaps I was wrong.

We drove along the near-empty streets, the darkness punctured only by the hazy glows of the streetlamps and our own carriage lamps. Although it was early, few people were out, and those that were, hurried with their heads bent and their collars pulled high. At least there was no fog, yet.

The carriage pulled up outside a tavern with dim light rimming the windows. The Brickmaker's Arms sign swung in the breeze, its hinges squeaking tunelessly. The door opened and a drunkard spilled out along with a blast of voices. The fellow stumbled then managed to continue on his way, stopping only once to prop himself against the tavern wall before heading off into the pitch black lane.

Gus opened the carriage door and I hopped down. Lady Vickers hung back, a handkerchief over her nose and mouth.

"Stay here," I told her. "We'll fetch him."

"He's here?" she mumbled into her handkerchief. "He's in this filthy place?"

I walked ahead of Gus, only to have him grab my arm and pull me behind him.

"I'll go first, Charlie. Put your hood up. Don't let 'em see your pretty face. I ain't goin' to be able to make 'em all leave you alone, and we don't know what condition Seth'll be in to help."

I swallowed. If Seth was badly hurt…it didn't bear thinking about.

My arm was accosted again, but this time by Lady Vickers. She marched in step with me, the handkerchief tucked away out of sight. She looked like a commanding officer about to step into a battle she knew she couldn't win, but was determined not to surrender anyway. It didn't fill me with much confidence.