Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(43)

"That's quite all right. I agree. He's a cur. So the question is, what do we do now?"

"Kill him," Gillingham said, winding up again. "Fitzroy, get onto it. Harriet, come. It's time to go." He went to stand, but Harriet put her arm across his chest, barring him from moving. The muscles in his face twitched but he settled back meekly enough. Harriet's mouth softened with her smile.

"We can't just kill him," I said. "It would look too suspicious."

"Why not simply tell Fullbright all about Swinburn?" Harriet said. "Put suspicion onto him by telling Fullbright he's a shape changer and a horrid person."

"If you have any thoughts on how to do that, I am all ears," Lincoln said drily. "Swinburn is too well connected for unfounded accusations to be taken seriously. Particularly accusations voiced by me, since I am already under suspicion thanks to The Star's reports."

"That bloody rag," Gillingham spat. "That journalist should be shot. His editor, too. They stirred up this trouble."

"Isn't there someone you can speak to?" I asked him. "Don't you have influence with other members of parliament?"

He looked away, chin lifted high, and didn't deign to answer.

"You got influence, ma'am," Gawler said to Harriet.

"Not really," she said with a sigh. "With the wives of MPs, perhaps, but that's all."

"What about with Swinburn's pack? Most of 'em like you, on account of you being a kind soul." Did I detect a blush above his whiskers?

"They're not MPs or related to MPs. None have any real power except Swinburn himself. Even Lord Ballantine is only a minor baron."

"I meant to ask them to spy on Swinburn for you."

"You overstate my influence, you dear man. They wouldn't spy on him for me, or for anyone. They're much too loyal."

Lincoln rubbed his jaw in thought. "You could still speak to the members of his pack and—"

"No!" Gillingham shouted. "My wife will not speak to anyone associated with that reprobate."

Harriet jerked around to face her husband. "But Gilly—"

"No! Out of the question. It's far too dangerous."

"Nonsense. I'm quite capable of doing my bit and I intend to do it." She lifted a hand to silence Gillingham's protests.

He huffed twice, stood, and stalked to the window. He stared up at the sky.

"I have a better idea." Harriet's eyes brightened, and she clapped her hands lightly. "Instead of trying to influence them, and hoping they can influence Swinburn, I shall pretend to befriend him. I'll tell him I've had enough of the East End and its slum dwellers, and that I want to run with a more prestigious pack after the baby is born. He has been trying to get me to join them ever since he found out about me. He thinks I belong there, you see, and not with Gawler."

Gillingham groaned. "Do I have any say in this?"

"It's the best way, Gilly. You know that."

"But it's dangerous."

"It's good of you to worry about us." She patted her belly. "But I won't be swayed. I will call on him tonight and then I'll proceed to spy on him when he brings me into the fold. Isn't that a clever plan, Charlie?"

I glanced at Lincoln, but he did not give his thoughts away. He was staring at Harriet. "I…I don't know," I said. "Your husband's right, and it could be dangerous. If Swinburn finds out that you're spying, he'll…do something awful to you."

"Tosh." She waved her hand. "He won't find out. I'm very good at pretending. Aren't I, Gilly? Very good indeed. I'll see him tonight and report back when I have some information. Come Gilly, Mr. Gawler, we've taken up enough of Charlie and Lincoln's time. They seem quite busy." She held out her hand and Gawler took it, rather than her husband. He assisted her to stand then only dropped her hand when Gillingham glared at him.

"You know who I blame for all this?" Gillingham said to no one in particular.

"Swinburn?" I said.

"The Star?" his wife offered.

"Julia and Buchanan," he said.

Harriet shook her head. "I'm not sure Andrew is at fault."

"He is. He can't control Julia. Never could. If he'd been able to keep her, she wouldn't have run off to Swinburn and told him the ministry's secrets."

Harriet giggled then looped her arm through his. "You do say the oddest things, Gilly. Andrew never had a hope of controlling a spirited thing like Julia. He's no match for her. He knows it too."

Gillingham's nostrils flared and he walked with her to the door. Harriet let him go when they reached it, and told her husband to go ahead. "I want to speak to Charlie alone." She took my hand and placed it on her arm.

"Is everything all right?" I asked after the men were out of earshot.

She smiled sweetly. "Everything is perfect. I wanted to ask you how you are, with the wedding so close. Are you sure all is in hand? Lincoln hasn't scared off the servants, has he?"

I laughed. "No. They like him."

She screwed up her nose. "Really?"

"Yes! Thank you for your concern, but it's fine. Lady V has been helping me prepare everything. She's very organized and knows precisely what is required."