Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(63)

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The following morning, twenty-four hours before I walked down the aisle, my nerves finally set in. It began with the delivery of my gown. The dressmaker brought it herself and insisted I try it on one last time now that the final adjustments had been made. It was too tight.

Lady Vickers went into a flap that brought the rest of the household to my door in a panic. Seth barged in without knocking, catching me half out of the gown.

"Charlie—! Er, my apologies." He backed out of the door, knocking into Lincoln.

"Get out! Get out!" Lady Vickers screeched. "The groom can't see the bride in her dress before the wedding!" She shut the door on them and collapsed against it. "That was close."

"Come and sit down," I scolded her. "You're making everyone nervous."

"That's because I am nervous." She did not sit but paced the room, vigorously fanning herself. "There's so much to do. And with no servants…" She stopped pacing and placed her hand to her chest. "I cannot breathe."

Alice helped her to sit at my dressing table then rubbed her back. "Count to three then take a deep breath."

Lady Vickers did as advised. She coughed through the breath. "I need a glass of sherry."

"It's far too early for sherry," Alice said with a laugh.

"Wine then."

Alice smiled at me and gave a little shrug.

The dressmaker sat on the bed with the gown so I went to work on Lady Vickers. I took her hand in both of mine and leveled my gaze with hers. "Everything will be all right. We'll finish setting the dining table soon then give the drawing room a quick dust. Cook has altered the menu to include simpler dishes that can be prepared ahead. He'll decorate the cake this afternoon. There's nothing more to do. There. Better now?"

"No. Yes." She sighed. "We haven't had time for that talk yet, Charlie."

I tried very hard to contain my smile. "The talk can wait."

"Wait! Wait for when? The moment he carries you into his bed?" She pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned. "I've failed in my duties as your…" A wave of her hand encompassed the unconventional nature of our relationship.

I caught Alice pressing her lips together very hard out of the corner of my eye. I leaned toward Lady Vickers and whispered in her ear so the dressmaker couldn't hear. "I know what goes on between a husband and wife in bed."

She did not reel back in shock like I thought she would. "Seeing the whores do it is not the same as a loving couple," she whispered back.

She had a point. "Lincoln can teach me."

She flapped her fan in front of her reddening face again. "Yes. Well. There is that. But still, if you have a moment today, I'd like to have a quiet conversation."

"I'll be sure to find the time."

The dressmaker was a fast worker and when I tried on the gown again, it fitted perfectly.

With that settled, we made our way to the dining room. Seth brought in a delivery of roses and assisted his mother to arrange them in the vases down the center of the table. Gus joined us and asked for Lady Vickers' assistance in the kitchen.

"Of course," she said, handing the rest of the flowers to Seth.

"Wait," he said. "Why is she needed in the kitchen?"

"Don't know." Gus wiped his flour-covered hands down the front of his apron.

"Do not drop any of that flour in here," Alice scolded him.

He put up his hands in surrender. "Cook wants her," he told Seth.

Seth grunted. "He does, does he?"

"Don't make a scene," his mother said cheerfully.

"Why not?" He pointed a pale pink rose at her. "Once upon a time, you wouldn't set a toe in the kitchen, and now you can't stay out of it.

"I am merely assisting Cook at this busy time."

"I can assist him. What does he want done?" he asked Gus.

"Don't be petty," his mother said. "He asked for me so I will go. Come along, Gus."

Seth darted in front of her, blocking her path. I set down the cutlery I'd been laying out and exchanged a worried glance with Alice.

"Enough, Mother," Seth growled. "Stop this at once."

"Stop what?"

"Whatever it is you're doing with Cook. It can't go on."

"Seth, dear, Cook and I are friends, that's all."

He snorted. "Friends. That's what you used to say about the footman. Then you ran off and married him."

I thought she'd grow angry with him but her features softened. "It's true that George was not unlike Cook. Companionable, competent, honest and highly amusing. Do you recall the old rumors about the queen and her servant, Mr. Brown? It's like that between Cook and me."

"You are not the queen!"

"Weren't they lovers?" Gus asked.

Seth shot him a murderous glare. "Don't you dare marry Cook, Mother, or I won't be able to look either of you in the eye again." He folded his arms, an immovable wall blocking his mother's exit.

She patted his cheek. "That would be unbearable."

He arched a brow. "So you agree?"

"It's only fair that if I give him up, you must promise to do something for me."