From The Ashes (The Ministry of Curiosities #6)(85)

"What a shame," Lady Vickers said with genuine sympathy.

Seth glared at his mother.

"Even more of a shame that my parents have disowned me." Alice picked up her glass and sipped elegantly.

I bit my lip to hide my smile. She had taken only a few minutes to get the measure of both Seth and his mother. It was going to be a pleasant diversion watching her settle into our household.



Lincoln still did not emerge the next morning. According to Doyle he slept off and on, and finally managed to keep down some broth that Cook had prepared using a rescued cast iron pot and the hot coals of the dining room fireplace.

"Can I see him yet?" I asked.

"No," Doyle said without looking at me.

"Why not, if he's feeling better?"

"Sorry, Charlie, he specifically said you weren't to be allowed in."

I thrust my hands on my hips, but there was nothing I could do about it. If Lincoln didn't want me in there, I had to accept his wishes. It wasn't easy, however, and by lunch time, I decided to accost Seth and see if he had a different answer. He'd spent most of the morning with Lincoln, giving Alice some much needed breathing space.

"Why not go for a walk?" Alice asked gently as we sat in the sitting room, alone. "It's cool outside, but not raining."

I shook my head. "I don't want to be away from the house."

She sat in the window seat and looked out. The sky hung ominously low, but I did long to be in the fresh air. Once I'd seen Lincoln for myself and knew he was well, I'd walk with her.

I joined her on the window seat. "You should go," I told her. "The estate is lovely at any time of year. The orchard is my favorite place, even without fruit or leaves."

She smiled wistfully and blinked damp eyes.

I touched her hand. "This is hard for you," I said softly. "But you are very welcome here. Perhaps, in time, you will see it as your home too."

She dabbed at the corner of her eyes. "Thank you. I do feel welcome, but also misplaced, like a doll left outside, forgotten."

I put my arm around her but didn't speak. I remembered that feeling all too well, even now, years after my father had thrown me out.

"All I want, all I've ever wanted, is a home where I felt safe." She turned to me. "How did you do it? How did you live for years without knowing if the place you lay your head one night would be the same the following night? How could you live with the uncertainty hanging over you like a guillotine? And you a child, too."

I lifted one shoulder. "I never lost hope, I suppose. I hoped to have a home to call my own again, where I would never have to leave unless I wanted to." I stared out the window, but saw only my own reflection and that of the room behind me. "You will have your own Lichfield one day, Alice, but until you do, you can share mine."

She leaned her head on my shoulder and stared at our reflections too.

Another face joined ours. I gasped and spun round, knocking Alice in the nose. "Lincoln!" How long had he been there? How much had he heard?

His face was still a little pale and the bump on his head was the size of an egg, but he looked wonderful compared to the last time I'd seen him. His damp hair hung loose to his shoulders, begging to be tucked behind his ear, and his eyes gleamed like polished jet.

"You're better," I said, standing. "I mean, you look better. But you shouldn't be down here. Seth and Doyle were supposed to tell me when you were up and about so I could visit you. Why wouldn't they, if you're better?" I needed to stop rambling, but I couldn't help myself.

"I told them not to," he said.

"Why?"

"I had my reasons." He put out his hand to Alice. "You must be Miss Everheart. Seth has told me all about you."

She shook his hand. "Pleased to meet you."

They exchanged polite pleasantries for a few minutes before Alice excused herself. "I'd like to go for a walk before it rains."

I found myself alone with Lincoln. I'd wanted to be alone with him for days, yet now I didn't know what to say. My tongue felt thick and dry and my heart wouldn't cease its incessant hammering.

He sat on the window seat beside me, but didn't speak. After a moment, I hazarded a glance at him. "Do you feel all right? Do you need to return to bed?"

"I've spent enough time in bed. Now I want to spend time with you."

I swallowed and nodded at him to go on.

His fingers tapped on his knee. "I'm trying to think of a way to begin."

"Then I'll begin." I breathed deeply and let it out slowly. "There's something I need to say."





Chapter 21





"I accept your birthday gift. The house," I added when he simply stared at me. "I still think it's too generous, but…" I trailed off. Any further comment would probably sound avaricious.

"It's only generous if it's something I cannot afford to give. It's hardly a grand gesture." He sounded disappointed in himself.

"It is grand. You thought of the one thing I wanted above all else, and gave it to me in the only way you knew how."

"Not the only way, but even by marrying me you wouldn't become an independent woman until after my death." His lips twitched into a crooked smile. "I didn't want to tempt you."