Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(67)

"Of course not," the prince said. "It's absurd to even suggest it." He waved the footmen away. They bowed and moved out of earshot, but did not leave altogether. "What's the meaning of all this?" The prince glanced back the way I'd come. "Have you been speaking to Her Majesty?"

"I appealed to her on Lincoln's behalf. He has been arrested."

"What the devil for?"

I told him about Fullbright and Yallop, and about the files and Lincoln's refusal to give them up. "Even if he did give them up, I'm sure Mr. Yallop would find a way to keep him in jail. He seems determined to ruin Lincoln and close the ministry."

"This is a result of the newspaper articles." It was a statement, not a question, but I nodded anyway. "I'm not surprised that parliament worked swiftly on this. The public was afraid after the Ripper murders, and not everyone believes Gawler was the sole monster responsible this time. There was talk of rioting if the police didn't focus their full attention on keeping the East End safe. Something had to be done, or at least seen to be done, for the sake of peace."

"Yes, but it's not fair to blame Lincoln! He's the one who keeps the city safe from monsters."

"Clearly they have their reasons. Miss Holloway, there's no need to fret. A parliamentary select committee has a lot of power, but this Mr. Yallop won't be an unreasonable fellow. When he sees the good the ministry do, he'll let Fitzroy go."

"No, he won't. He is under Swinburn's influence, and Swinburn wants to see the ministry gone, and Lincoln with it."

He clicked his tongue. "Stop this constant blaming of Swinburn! I've told you before, he's a good man and a good friend. He has the realm's best interests at heart."

"He has his own best interests at heart, and you are deliberately turning the other cheek so that you don't see it."

He bristled. "I beg your pardon."

"Why did I think coming here would be a good idea?" I asked the chandelier dangling above me. "Why did I think one of you would listen? I didn't really expect your mother to care, sir, since she doesn't know. But you…you ought to care. He is your son, after all."

He glanced toward the nearest footman, standing as still as one of the many statues. "Don't," he said without moving his lips. "That cannot become known. Imagine the scandal! His mother was a gypsy woman, for God's sake. The damage done to my reputation would be irreparable, and then there's the queen's censure to contend with. If you dare tell anyone, Miss Holloway, I'll deny it most vehemently."

My heart sank with each word. Without the prince's influence, what chance did Lincoln have? Yallop and the members of parliament wanted to blame someone for allowing a murderous werewolf to roam our streets, and they'd made Lincoln their scapegoat, thanks to Swinburn. If one of the most powerful men in the realm refused to help, what hope was there? My chest hurt and my eyes burned with my tears. I wanted to scratch the face of the man standing in front of me and show the world that he was just a man, that he bled too, and ought to be held accountable for his mistakes as the rest of us were. The royal family didn't deserve to have their scandals buried. Not when revealing their scandals could save the life of a man.

"You are a disappointment, sir. I cannot believe Lincoln is your son. He is brave, honest and does not turn a blind eye to injustice. He owns up to his mistakes and makes amends for them. In short, he is a better man than you. Good day, sir."

I marched away from him as quickly as I could without breaking into a run. I expected him to stop me, or order one of his men to, but he did not. Whether he watched me go, I couldn't say. I didn't dare look back. My heart pounded furiously in my chest, and I feared it would smash every piece of my fragile body until there was nothing left but shards on the palace carpet. The footmen flanking me had to increase their pace to keep up, and I almost broke into a run when I spotted the exit. I lifted my skirts and raced down the front steps and into the safety of the Lichfield coach.

"Home, Charlie?" Gus asked.

I was furious and frustrated, and I needed to release my emotions on someone deserving, not my friends. "Take me to the Gillinghams' house. I'm going to speak to Harriet."



* * *



It was unfortunate that Lord Gillingham was at home. I would have preferred to talk to Harriet alone. With him there, I might not even get to see Harriet at all.

"You will not speak to her," he told me. The footman had fetched Gillingham instead of his wife, even though I'd asked for her. "She wants nothing to do with you."

"Why?" I asked. My temper was very close to fraying, but I must not lose it with this man in his house. His servants would obey him and my efforts would be thwarted. I couldn't bear another failure after the palace.

"Because you are too closely associated with Fitzroy and the ministry, and my family must be kept as far from the scandal as possible. My wife's safety is utmost at this delicate time."

"You are closely associated with Lincoln and the ministry too," I shot back.

"I will distance myself from Lichfield Towers for as long as required."

"As much as I rejoice at your absence, I must speak to her now. Harriet!" My shout echoed off the papered walls and rose up to the high ceiling.