Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(17)

"Mr. Lander, I don't appreciate your insinuation that we won't work hard to find your killer. Besides, Mr. Fitzroy and I do not work for the police. Our organization accounts for the supernaturals, and I can assure you, we have every intention of finding your killer before he strikes again. So, it's important to answer my questions fully."

"I have, miss. I don't know no Gawler or Swinburn, and I ain't got any enemies what would murder me. I didn't see no one attack me, just a big dog." He spread out his hands, palms up. "Any other questions you want to ask?"

"Lincoln?" I said. "Do you have any questions for Mr. Lander?"

Lincoln asked if he knew the Ballantines and the other members of Swinburn's pack. Reginald Lander didn't. Nor did he know Harriet or any members of Gawler's pack. He had never ventured past any of their places of residence either, including Gawler's in Myring Place.

"I don't usually go through the Old Nichol," Lander said. "It ain't a good area, miss. But it's the shortest way to work and I got lazy these last few days. But I ain't been to Myring Place."

Lincoln ran out of questions and I had no more. I sent Lander on his way and suggested he might as well cross over.

He looked as if he'd refuse but nodded instead. "There ain't no point staying if I can't leave the place where I died. You promise to catch my murderer?"

"We do." I watched him until he dissolved into a mist and finally into nothing at all. "He's gone," I announced. "He wasn't very helpful."

Lincoln studied the view out the window. When we finally arrived home, he took my hand and assisted me down the coach step to the gravel drive.

"Care to walk with me through the garden?" he asked.

I took his arm and kept pace with his slow, easy strides. We ambled across the lawn and passed by the orchard. It was a lovely day, but I didn't care about that, and I didn't think that was why Lincoln invited me to walk with him.

"You have a plan," I said.

"No. Do you?"

"No. Do you want to toss ideas around away from prying ears and eyes?"

"Why does it matter if Seth or Gus hear us?" he asked.

"Because you don't want it known that you have no ideas and are asking me for advice?" It sounded rather stupid even to me.

He chuckled. "My self-worth isn't that inflated. Don't," he added when I opened my mouth to speak. "No need to disagree with me."

"I wasn't going to! I was simply going to ask you why you suggested a walk in the garden."

"Because it's a beautiful day." He glanced back at the house then diverted our path toward the brick wall surrounding part of the garden. "And because I wanted to kiss you without anyone observing."

He hustled me through the doorway and gently pushed me back against the wall. I reached up and linked my fingers behind his head. He settled his hands at my waist and skimmed his lips over mine.

"You're wicked," I said on a breath.

"Very."

"Kiss me properly."

He smiled against my mouth. "If you insist."



* * *



Due to events over the previous months, the ministry's committee consisted of Lords Marchbank and Gillingham, and Lincoln. Marchbank arrived first, and on time, but Lord Gillingham was half an hour late. I thought he wouldn't come at all but then his gleaming black coach arrived. The gold family crest painted on the side glinted in the afternoon sunshine so that the serpent wrapped around the sword looked as if it winked.

"You're late, Gilly," Lord Marchbank said as Lord Gillingham strolled into the library.

He undid his jacket buttons and sat in one of the deep leather armchairs. "I only just received Fitzroy's message from my wife. If she'd given it to me earlier, I would have gotten here earlier. You know how she is."

"And how is she?" I asked sweetly.

"Stupid."

Well, that wasn't very nice. At least he answered me, I suppose. Once upon a time, he would have ignored me completely unless it was to goad or hit me. "I disagree," I said. "I think Harriet is quite smart but has never had the benefit of a good education to capitalize on it. Granted, she is quite naive regarding some matters, but it's hardly her fault since she has been treated like a child for so long. I'm just glad she now lives her life as a shape-shifting countess ought to." I shot him a winning smile.

He sank into the armchair.

Seth handed him a glass of brandy. "You look like you need this."

"I still can't fathom it," Lord Marchbank said. "Harriet is such a gentle woman. To find out that she has the strength of several men, the speed and senses of a wolf…it continues to amaze me."

Gillingham downed the contents of his glass and held it out. "Another."

Seth pointed his chin at Gus. "You get it."

"Why?" Gus whined. "Because I'm the servant and you're the lord?"

"Because you're closer to the sideboard. But if you insist on being the servant, then by all means, act like one and get him another drink."

Gus crossed his arms over his chest. "Ring for a footman. Let the proper servants do it."

Gillingham leaned on the silver lion's head of his walking stick and pushed himself to his feet. "This is a bloody circus." He marched to the sideboard, the walking stick hardly hitting the floor, and removed the stopper from the decanter. "Lichfield Towers has gone to the dogs."