Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(56)

"No, just punished." I stormed up to the carriage and passed a penny lick cup to Gus. "I'm sorry it's a little melted."

"Was that Lady H you were talking to?" he asked.

"Yes. She ruined an otherwise pleasant morning."

"She's got a habit of that."



* * *



I found myself at a loose end in the afternoon yet unable to settle to anything. I wanted to voice my frustrations about Lady Harcourt to Lincoln, but he and Seth were still out. They were taking it in turns to watch Swinburn and his pack, something that would be difficult to manage on their own. Lincoln had refused Gus's help, saying he needed to be our coachman for the day as well as assist with the cooking and cleaning. We were starting to feel stretched too thin.

I wanted to help Cook in the kitchen, but he claimed there was little to do since he planned on only a light meal in such heat. So I patrolled the rooms and kept an eye on the lawn for any armies that may suddenly appear. Alice and Lady Vickers both napped. The house seemed too quiet and empty.

The scrunch of wheels on the gravel drive had me jumping off the sofa and running to the window, but it was not an army's siege engine. The approaching brougham's deep black paint swallowed the sunshine and my restless mood. Then I saw the snake escutcheon on the side and groaned. I wanted a visit from neither Lord nor Lady Gillingham now. He was never a welcome sight, and I wasn't sure what to say to her at the moment.

Their footman lowered the folding step and opened the door. His mistress took his hand and allowed him to assist her down. Harriet supported her round belly with her other hand and broke into a smile when she saw me through the window.

I couldn't pretend to be out now. I opened the front door and welcomed her inside. "Still no Doyle?" she asked. "Or Whistler?"

"I've allowed them more time off—"

"But the wedding is the day after tomorrow! Have you lost your mind?"

"We're coping well enough."

She clicked her tongue and appeared to be about to say something else, only to pause and clutch her pregnant belly.

"Are you all right?" I asked, taking her arm.

"I would like to sit down."

"Come into the parlor. The staircase is much too difficult in your condition." I steered her into the parlor and eased her onto the sofa. "Can I get you anything?"

"No, thank you. Come and sit with me." She patted the sofa beside her. "I feel quite all right now. I just have these pains every now and again."

"Have you spoken to the midwife about them?"

"I've decided not to engage a midwife. Not a human one, anyway." She bit her lip and a small crease formed between her eyebrows. "I'm worried what the baby will look like when it comes out, you see. Not because I care, but Gilly's right—we don't want to alarm anyone if it should be in beast form. So I've engaged one of my pack friends, only she's not always available when I need her. She's a little…"

"Unreliable?"

"Drunk."

"Oh. What about someone from Swinburn's pack? Surely the women from both packs have given birth before. Who helps them?"

"Midwives help those in Swinburn's pack, and family members assist those in Gawler's—I mean mine. They can't afford midwives. Apparently the babies are always born looking human, but I won't take that risk, and Gilly certainly won't." She rubbed her belly. "So you see, I may be all alone for the birth."

"You won't be alone. I'm sure your pack mate will sober up long enough to assist. And your husband will be there."

"Gilly! Lord, no. I don't want him in the house at all when my time comes. He'll just be a bore and get in the way, demanding this and that, and probably offending my pack mate, too. She's got quite a temper and it wouldn't surprise me if she struck him to shut him up. He can come across as quite offensive to some, you know."

"Yes," I said wryly. "I know."

She sighed and gave me a small smile. "I feel better already for having seen you, Charlie. You always manage to cheer me up. I was growing quite lonely at home. Not being able to run with my pack is awfully frustrating."

"You'll run with them again soon. Did you manage to get word to them about laying low for a while?"

She nodded as she plucked off her gloves. "Thank you for the warning. Tell me, have you thought any more about Sir Ignatius's motive for shooting Gawler?"

Is that why she was really here? To gather information to pass on to Swinburn? She had a nerve, if that were the case. "No."

"I'm sure you have more important things on your mind at the moment." She set her gloves on the table then got to her feet. "I need to take a turn around the room."

"I'll walk with you."

"No, stay there. I'll just toddle at my own speed." She ambled toward the window, her pace slow and awkward. "I feel like a waddling duck."

"You are getting quite big now."

"I think my time is very near. I may not even make it to the wedding." She smiled and walked back to me. Instead of sitting, she stood behind the sofa. Her cool hands settled on my shoulders and gently massaged. "In case I don't, tell me your plans. What does your dress look like?"