Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(18)

Gus and Seth exchanged smiles.

"Not quite," Lincoln said. "Although a dog or two running about would liven the place up."

"I've never had a pet," I said, warming to the idea.

"Where's Julia?" Gillingham snapped. "Let's get this over with. I have things to do."

"Like discuss the pending birth of your baby," Lincoln said.

Gillingham, his back to us, drank the contents of his glass and refilled it.

"The birth is months away," Marchbank said.

Lincoln shook his head and waited for Gillingham to say something. He did not. He merely pressed a hand to the sideboard and hung his head. I couldn't feel sorry for the weasel. He was revolting to his core.

"Harriet is wolf-like, in a way," Lincoln told Marchbank. "The gestation period for a wolf is much shorter than a human."

Marchbank absently stroked one of the scars marking his cheek. "Then how long has she got?"

"I cannot guess."

"Intriguing. Did you know about this beforehand, Fitzroy? Was this information in any of your books or files?"

"No."

"Then I hope you're studying her and taking notes. We can learn a lot from her pregnancy, eh, Gillingham. Harriet won't mind, will she?"

"I mind," Gillingham growled.

"But if your wife doesn't then you should not." Marchbank lifted his glass in salute. "Should you?"

Gillingham groaned and turned back to the sideboard and his glass. He downed his third brandy in one gulp. Seth got up and removed the glass from Gillingham's hand before he refilled it.

"We need you sober for this meeting," Seth said.

Gillingham shoved him off. Two blotchy red patches stained his cheeks and his mouth twisted. He'd never looked more ugly. "Where the hell is that whore?

"Julia won't be coming," Seth said, sitting down again. "Not today or ever again. I'm the fourth committee member now. She named me as her heir for the position."

"Julia has been removed from the committee," Lincoln finished.

"What?" Gillingham exploded.

"Removed?" Marchbank echoed. "By whose authority?"

"Mine," Lincoln said.

"You can't do that!" Gillingham slammed his hand down on the sideboard, rattling the decanter stopper. "You have no authority to remove anyone, Fitzroy! Only we as a group can do that. God, man, has taking over General Eastbrooke's position gone to your head already? You are not superior to any of us. You are not in charge here."

"She left me no choice," Lincoln said icily. "Immediate action had to be taken and there was no time to consult you. If you prefer a vote, then let’s do so now, after you hear her crime."

Marchbank put up a finger to stop Gillingham's spluttering protest. Surprisingly, it worked and Gillingham quieted. "What did she do?" Marchbank asked.

"Gave our secrets to Swinburn in exchange for marriage."

Marchbank scrubbed a roughened hand over his face and swore. The elderly gentleman never swore. He must be deeply troubled by the news to do so now.

Gillingham stood very still, his mouth ajar. The two blotches on his cheeks had disappeared and he looked very pale. "The fool," he said. "The stupid fool. I cannot believe she'd do such a thing."

"Can't you?" Seth grunted. "I can. It's entirely in her nature to stomp over other people to get what she wants. Since you are not someone she has ever stomped on, I suppose I can forgive you for not believing us now."

Gillingham sat on the nearest chair and blinked stupidly at Seth.

"What secrets did she divulge?" Marchbank asked Lincoln. "Is there reason to worry?"

"I don't think so. She told him who my father is."

"Is that all?" Gillingham blurted out. "You removed her from the committee for that?"

"Where will it end?" Seth said. "What secret will be next?"

"Do be quiet, Vickers. Your opinion doesn't count since everyone knows you'd like to see her punished for her rejection of you."

Seth rose, but Gus's hand clamped around his arm. Seth looked as if he were considering shoving Gus off and attacking Gillingham when the door burst open.

Andrew Buchanan strolled in, his step cock-sure, his smile oily. "Good afternoon, my fellow members. I'm here. The meeting can get underway now that all committee members are present."

Both Gus and Seth rose. "Get out, Buchanan," Seth said, approaching him.

"My first proposal is to stipulate that only committee members may be present in meetings. What say you, Gillingham?"

"It seems you've heard that Julia is no longer a member," Seth said. "But what you haven't heard is that you're not her heir. I am."

Buchanan plucked off his gloves and slapped them into Seth's chest. "Pour me a drink, Vickers, there's a good man. Make it a large one. I'm gasping, and it seems I have some catching up to do."

"Clearly you have quite a bit of catching up to do," I said. "Seth is right, and you are not Lady Harcourt's heir for the committee position. He is."

Lincoln finally rose and blocked Buchanan's path. He did not order Buchanan out, however. "You spoke to her today?" Lincoln asked.