Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(30)

"It's clear," Marchbank said before Buchanan tumbled into even bigger trouble. "Is that all, Buchanan?"

"No. There's another matter," Buchanan said, smugly.

Gillingham sighed. "This had better be worth my time."

"It's about you, as it happens. Or rather, your wife."

Gillingham stamped the end of his walking stick into the floor. "Harriet is not a matter that requires discussion. No one is interested in your gossip."

"She is a matter for discussion within the ministry. Just as Charlotte is. Anyone of an unnatural nature must be discussed, cataloged and monitored." Buchanan touched a finger to his lips then pointed at Gillingham. His theatricality made a mockery of Gillingham and his protest. "Indeed, didn't you say something similar once when it came to Charlotte's whereabouts?"

"How do you know about that?" Gillingham spluttered. "You weren't on the committee then."

"Julia," Lord Marchbank said with a shake of his head. "She told you everything that went on in our meetings, didn't she, Buchanan?"

Buchanan lifted one shoulder in elegant nonchalance.

"If you reciprocate and tell her what is said here, you will find yourself off the committee," Marchbank said.

"Or worse," Lincoln added.

"Right. Well." Buchanan cleared his throat. "Getting back to my point about the lovely Lady Gillingham. We all know what she is and the scum she associates with."

"She does not associate with scum." Gillingham's voice rose to a shout.

"She runs with Gawler's pack."

"That is different. Nobody knows about that but us, so it doesn't count."

Buchanan snorted. "Given that the attacks have occurred in their jurisdiction, she is a suspect and must be treated as such."

Gillingham stamped his walking stick into the floor over and over. "Enough! Enough of this rubbish, Buchanan! My wife is above suspicion. She's a countess, for God's sake."

"She's a werewolf. She thinks and acts like a…an animal. They're wild creatures, Gilly, and cannot be controlled. Their superior strength, speed and senses make them even more difficult to manage. You know that." Buchanan bared his teeth in a twisted smile. "Indeed, I'd wager you know how strong your wife is better than anyone."

Gillingham shot to his feet, his face redder than his hair. "I won't listen to this."

"You need to listen to it," Buchanan shot back. "She's a suspect just as much as anyone in Gawler's pack is. You are the best person to follow and observe—"

"I will not spy on my wife!"

"Why not? If she is innocent, it's in your power to prove it."

Gillingham sat down again and shook his head.

"You're afraid, aren't you?" Buchanan goaded. "Afraid of what she'll do to you if she finds out."

"That's enough," Marchbank snapped. "Buchanan, be quiet. Harriet is not a suspect."

"I agree," I said. "A person's character is not suppressed when he or she shifts into their other form. Someone with murderous tendencies in human shape retains that in their wolf shape, and I can say with utmost confidence that Harriet is not a murderer. You know it, too, Andrew. You might be a turd but you're a good judge of character."

Buchanan made a miffed sound through his nose but, to my surprise, didn't challenge me. Perhaps because Lincoln stood close enough to throttle him.

"Charlie's right," Marchbank said. "Harriet is no murderess. That doesn't exonerate her pack, however."

We all agreed on that score, but Lincoln did say he believed Gawler himself was innocent.

"Even so," Marchbank said, "it might be wise for Harriet to stay away from them for now so she doesn't get caught up in this mess. That newspaper article has stirred up unrest."

Lincoln nodded. "There were vigilantes and extra constables in the East End overnight."

Gillingham groaned and rubbed his forehead.

"Harriet claimed she's not running with her pack until after the baby is born," I said. "She'll be safe."

"She still associates with them," Gillingham said heavily.

"Then forbid it," Buchanan said with a flourishing wave of his hand. "Oh, that's right, you can't tell her what to do anymore."

"This coming from a man who has had so much luck controlling his woman," Gillingham spat. "You couldn't forbid Julia to associate with other men while she was with you, and then you lost her altogether to another. Tell me, does she even let you in her bed anymore?"

Buchanan leapt from his chair and flew at Gillingham. Gillingham must have assumed Lincoln would stop him, so didn't try to defend himself. His misguided confidence meant that Buchanan smashed his fist into Gillingham's jaw, sending the earl's head slamming into the armchair's backrest. He cried out and put his hands up, his walking stick flailing aimlessly and in danger of hitting the books on the shelf behind him. Buchanan pulled his fist back and went to strike again, but Lincoln finally stepped in and caught his arm.

Buchanan stood down but glared daggers at Gillingham. Since Gillingham had closed his eyes, he didn't notice.

"This meeting is adjourned," Marchbank said, rising. "Buchanan, come with me. I'll take you home."