From The Ashes (The Ministry of Curiosities #6)(60)

"You disgusting, depraved little man." Her low growling voice held none of the velvety tones that usually came out of her mouth. Her body heaved with her deep breaths, and the swell of her breasts rose above her bodice.

"I am not the disgusting, depraved one here." Gillingham's gaze fell to her breasts. He grunted a laugh.

If Eastbrooke and Marchbank hadn't still been holding her, she might have flown at Gillingham again. As it was, she had to settle for a sneer.

"Enough!" the general shouted. "You're acting like children."

Gillingham dabbed at his cheek with his handkerchief then at his damp crotch. "This is why women shouldn't be allowed on the committee. One of the Buchanans should have taken over their father's place."

"What's done is done." Marchbank eased back as if Lady Harcourt was a feral cat he'd caught and wanted to release, but wasn't sure if she'd attack again. "Membership in the committee is not up for negotiation."

I watched the scene in wide-eyed wonder. Growing up, toffs had always been people to look up to and admire with their lovely clothes, sparkling jewels, and regal bearing. They seemed to be above the sorts of things that I worried about, like where the next meal came from, or how I would change clothes without the boys seeing my breasts. Since meeting the committee, I'd learned that they were no different from anyone else. They could be just as petty and cruel as the lowest villain who walked the streets and preyed on the desperate. Watching the committee implode was a humbling experience, and yet satisfying too. With the exception of Marchbank, I didn't like any of them.

Lady Harcourt sniffed. Tears streaked down her cheeks, leaving tracks in the powder she wore on her face. Marchbank handed her his handkerchief, but she didn't take her eyes off Lincoln.

I glanced at him too. He stood with his hands at his back, his feet a little apart, his attention on the gentlemen. All three of them now stood.

"There is a point to this meeting," he said with bored indifference. "Will someone please get to it?"

Gillingham continued to dab at his cheek as if he hadn't heard the demand. Eastbrooke and Marchbank exchanged glances.

Eastbrooke shook his head ever so slightly. "It's a mistake," he said quietly.

"You were outvoted, General." To Lincoln, Lord Marchbank said, "At our meeting today, we discussed the immediate future of the ministry, and in particular, your role in it, Fitzroy. We decided that you will be stood down as leader, effectively immediately."

"What?" I exploded. "You can't do that! The prophecy says he is the leader."

"For once, we're in agreement," the general said. "However, the other three voted for your dismissal, Lincoln."

"I can't believe you would do this! I respected you," I said to Marchbank. "But you're as foolish and arrogant as the others."

"The ministry has been exposed." Lord Marchbank sounded tired, older. "We no longer know where many supernaturals are, and Fitzroy refuses to keep us informed on important matters. He gave us no choice."

"There's no place for a rogue in the ministry," Gillingham said, refilling his glass from the decanter. "Particularly in the role of leader. He has to go."

"You can't do this!" How could I make them see? They couldn't do this to Lincoln. The ministry meant everything to him. Surely they hadn't thought it through. "You don't have the authority. No one does."

"Stop it," Lady Harcourt hissed. "Your puppy-like devotion is sickening. I'm surprised at you, Lincoln. You never did like overt displays of emotion, yet you stand there and listen to her."

"I listen to her because she has something to say that I want to hear. Or need to." He spoke with utter calmness, as if he hadn't just been dismissed from the job he was destined to do.

"You've become blind to reason, ever since she came here."

"Not blind," he said while I was still gasping at her audacity to speak to him like that. "Stupid on occasion, but not blind. I should never have sent Charlie away. She belongs here." To Marchbank, he said, "I will willingly resign if my two demands are met. Lichfield remains mine, and Charlie is left alone."

I gasped again. "Don't you wish to think about it first?"

"I have thought about it. That is my decision."

"The house is yours," Marchbank said with a dismissive wave. "It always has been."

"As to the girl, she'll be treated as every other supernatural will be treated." I heard the smirk in Gillingham's voice, but I was too busy staring at Lincoln to see his expression.

"Lincoln…what are you saying?" I whispered.

"I agree to step down from the ministry," he said.

Gillingham snorted. "As if you ever had a choice."





Chapter 15





I blinked at Lincoln and shook my head, but he wasn't looking at me. Indeed, he seemed to be staring hard into the distance, purposely not looking at anyone.

"It goes against the prophecy," Eastbrooke said with a shake of his head. "Who else is qualified? He was raised to do it. No one else could be as effective."

"I agree." I touched Lincoln's elbow. "You don't have to accept their decision."