Her Majesty's Necromancer (The Ministry of Curiosities #2)(26)

"That was next on my list."

I jerked upright. "But you already wrote to the administrator there and asked about my adoption."

"No I didn't."

"But you told me you had."

"You never mentioned which orphanage you'd just returned from. I assumed it was the one in Clerkenwell where I'd last been. I haven't written letters."

"It wasn't Clerkenwell," I whispered. "The administrator of the Kentish Town orphanage said someone had asked the same question as me, and I assumed it had been you. Lincoln, that means someone else is searching for information about my adoption."





CHAPTER 6


The library's fireplace threw out enough heat to keep the entire room warm. I sat on the crimson and gold Aubusson rug and stretched my toes toward the hearth. By the time Lincoln returned with a large cup of hot chocolate, my clothes were steaming and my hair curled at the edges.

"You're not having one?" I asked as I accepted the cup.

"I don't like chocolate."

"Strange man." Stranger still that it was the first time he'd voiced an opinion on something as mundane as chocolate. I realized I had no idea of his likes and dislikes, although some of them I could guess. I imagined he loathed social events like balls, for example.

"Are you warm?" he asked.

I nodded. "Are you going to sit down?"

"My clothes are damp."

"The furniture will dry out. Or the rug."

He hesitated then sat on the armchair. I thought he'd excuse himself and retreat to his rooms, so his presence felt like a small victory.

"If you remove your jacket and boots, you'll dry faster," I said.

"I'll keep them on."

So much for small victories. I stared in silence at the flickering flames. Their dance mesmerized me, the warmth made me drowsy. It must have been almost dawn and I was dog tired, but I wasn't prepared to excuse myself from Lincoln's presence. It was rare that we spent time alone outside of training.

I pulled my knees up and, feeling his gaze on me, rested my cheek on them and tilted my head to face him. I'd been wrong, however. He wasn't looking at me but at the fire.

"Will you keep watch over the graves?" I asked. "In case the captain returns for the bodies?"

"Seth and Gus can take turns tomorrow. Today." He rubbed his forehead. He must be exhausted. I'd at least slept a few hours, but he'd been up all night. "It's unlikely the captain will be back now."

"If he learns where the bodies went anyway, that is."

"Pete and Jimmy will have to tell him something, but whether they tell the truth or not, I cannot guess."

"I wonder if the captain will be angry."

"Probably. We've likely set him back."

"I wonder what it is he's doing. I can't begin to think of a reason that would require the bodies be stored for months on end in a cool room. If he were a doctor, surely he would have dissected them by now." I shivered and hugged my knees tighter.

"Perhaps."

"Have you ever noticed how you give non-committal answers?"

"Sometimes." The corner of his mouth twitched, and this time I was certain it was a smile.

I smiled in return. It felt like another victory. Two in one night! No, three. He'd not corrected my usage of his first name in the cart. There was no better time to try my luck for a fourth win. "You're going to visit Mr. Lee's opium den to try to find out more about the captain, aren't you?"

The black orbs of his eyes narrowed to pinpoints. "Why?"

"I want to come with you."

"No."

"But—"

"No, Charlie."

I stretched out my legs and stroked the soft rug with my fingers. "There may be death there. Recent death. I could talk to a spirit while you question Mr. Lee."

"I don't want you near that place."

I sighed. "Lincoln—"

"Fitzroy," he barked.

I squared my shoulders. I didn't deserve to be shouted at! "I am not a delicate flower that wilts at the first sign of danger, sir, so do not treat me like one."

"I am your employer," he said through an unmoving jaw. "I'll treat you any way I bloody well like."

"I would be concerned if we weren't arguing about you being over-protective toward me."

He pushed off from the chair and rose above me. "While you live under my roof, you live by my rules."

"And if I choose not to?" I held my breath. Would he throw me out? Would he go along with the committee's suggestion and banish me from London?

"If I want your help at Lee's, I'll ask for it," was all he said.

It didn't answer my question, but it was an improvement on an outright refusal. "That's all I want—your due consideration. I can be of assistance, Linc—Mr. Fitzroy. Tonight proved it."

He drew in a deep breath that expanded his chest, then he strode out of the library.

***

It was after midday when I arose to the sounds of voices downstairs. One of the voices was Seth's, the other softer and feminine. It must belong to Lady Harcourt, the only woman who visited Lichfield. I dressed quickly and headed down via the main staircase, but stopped on the landing, out of sight, above them. Seth's heated tone was not one I'd heard him employ with her before.