Her Majesty's Necromancer (The Ministry of Curiosities #2)(71)

I saluted him. "I'll be sure to tell my next kidnappers that you don't approve."

"Kidnappers!"

Lincoln helped me down then once I was steady, let me go. "Take her inside," he said. "Cook her whatever she wants." To me he added, "I'll run you a bath when I come in. Your wounds need cleaning and dressing."

"You don't have to," I said. "I can do it myself."

He walked the horse to the stables without responding and I allowed Cook to help me into the house. I gave him the brief version of what happened as he stood by the stove stirring something that smelled delicious. He didn't complain once about his bandaged thumb.

Gus arrived along with Lincoln, and the brawny fellow drew me into a hug that left me gasping for air. I repeated my story for them both, going into more depth about Jasper's motives for the abduction and how he'd found me. While Cook and Gus inserted their own comments, gasps and growls, Lincoln remained silent. He didn't move a muscle as he stood by the door, his arms crossed and his half-closed eyelids veiling his gaze.

When I'd finished, he suddenly turned.

"Where are you going?" I called out.

"Bathroom."

Cook placed bacon, eggs and soup in front of me all at once. The delicious smells drew my focus away from the door, but not from Lincoln. He'd sounded…odd, like that single word had been torn from his throat.

"Eat," Cook ordered.

"All of it?"

"Every last mouthful."

By the time I finished, Lincoln had returned. "The bath is ready. Can you walk?"

"I'll try." I got to my feet, but the cut one stung awfully, and the other had developed blisters from taking most of my weight on the walk home. "It's not too bad," I lied.

"You can't get all the way up there on your own," Gus protested. He glanced at Lincoln, but Lincoln remained unmoved by the door. With a shake of his head, Gus picked me up. "I'll do it myself," he muttered.

But Lincoln stepped in front of him and held out his arms. Gus handed me over. I felt like a sack of potatoes until Lincoln cradled me close to his body. I could feel his strong heartbeat through his shirt and waistcoat and smell the scents of horse and leather on his skin. I drew in a deep breath and placed my arms around his neck.

He carried me up the stairs, his face in profile as he stared straight ahead. He deposited me in the bathroom then left without a word. I peeled off my clothes and stepped into the bath. The warm water stung my feet at first, but I soon got used to it. I lay there without moving for a long time, thinking about what might have happened if I hadn't been able to get away. Would Lincoln have found me? How long would he have searched? If he thought I'd left of my own volition he might have given up after only a cursory attempt.

The water rippled with my shudder. It didn't bear thinking about. I was home safely, and Jasper would be in jail soon, if he wasn't already.

I cleaned my feet, ensuring the cuts were free of grit, then climbed out of the tub. I dried off but realized I had no clean clothes with me. I wrapped the towel around my body and opened the door.

Lincoln looked up from where he was leaning against the wall opposite and a little down from the bathroom. His gaze heated as it settled on my bare shoulders then moved down to my legs.

"I need clean clothes," I told him as a blush crept up my throat.

His gaze flicked to mine then he quickly turned, presenting me with his back. But not before I saw something I'd never seen before on his face. He looked confused, like he didn't know what to do or say.

I hobbled to my room and quickly dressed before making my way outside again. I didn't get far. Lincoln stood in the corridor, the medical bag in hand. Seth, Gus and Cook stood behind him. When he didn't move, Seth and Gus edged around him. They stood on either side of me, looped their arms behind my back, and carried me to the armchair.

"Sit down," Seth ordered.

I sat, and Lincoln crouched on the floor in front of me. He gently took my foot in his hands and inspected it.

"Did the police arrest Jasper?" I asked Seth.

He nodded and sat on another chair. "He was still in his rooms, dazed from a blow to the head. He sported a rope burn around his throat too, similar to your wrists and ankles. Know anything about that, Charlie?" he asked with a lopsided grin.

"I may. Was he really that dazed?"

"He was. Had a bruise here too." He tapped his temple. "That's quite a punch you must have delivered."

"It was my elbow."

"Ah. Good girl. Elbows are stronger than fists. Clever thinking."

"I wasn't really thinking at all. Not then, and not earlier when I managed to hit Pete. It was instinct."

"Thanks to all that training," Gus said with a decisive nod.

"It be paying off," Cook added.

"Yes." I smiled down at Lincoln, but he wasn't looking at me. "I hope we can resume as soon as possible."

"We can modify training until you're healed," Seth said. "Perhaps some weapons training while you have to stay off your feet."

"Knife throwing," Cook said. "I can show you how from sitting."

"Guns too." Gus rubbed his hands together and blew on the fingers. "I know someone who'll sell me a little muff pistol at a good price."