Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(83)

We picked our way through the mess and found ourselves enveloped in warm hugs from Cook and Lady Vickers. They directed us to the kitchen where Cook set out biscuits, sandwiches, cheese and whatever else he could find.

"These were supposed to be for my wedding," I said, plopping down on a chair.

"Aye," he said gently. "No need for them to go to waste."

I glanced at the clock. I ought to be getting married in less than thirty minutes. Tears welled but I didn't want the others to see them so I set about pouring the tea. Everyone ate except Alice. She simply stared into the teacup, her brow furrowed.

"What do we do now?" she asked. "We can't go on like this, waiting for the army to return at any moment. We just can't."

Seth touched her chin, forcing her to look at him. "We take it one day at a time." She shook her head and opened her mouth, but he put up a finger to stop her. "There'll be no more discussion of you going to Wonderland. Is that clear?"

She took a very long sip of her tea.

"Speaking of people not leaving," Lady Vickers said, her tone stern. "I discovered the letter you wrote, Charlie."

I groaned.

"What letter?" Gus asked.

"A farewell note," Cook said. "She be planning to break Fitzroy out of prison using her necromancy and run away with him."

A total and profound silence filled the kitchen. I felt hard gazes on me but didn't dare meet them.

"And what then?" Seth snapped.

"And then we would keep running," I said. "For as long as necessary."

Gus shook his biscuit at me. "And what about us, eh? What were we s'posed to do? Just wait here?"

"You would go about your daily lives and deny any wrongdoing. The police would blame us since we'd run off. It was a neat solution to our predicament."

Seth suddenly stood and kicked over his chair. He stalked to the stove and stared down into the pot of simmering water.

I stood beside him and tucked my hands into the crook of his arm. I leaned against him, my head on his shoulder. "What else could I do, Seth? I love him. I'll do anything to be with him, go anywhere."

His muscles relaxed and his chest rose and fell with his deep sigh. He turned and drew me into a hug. "We're your family too," he murmured into my hair.

"Yes. You are. And I'm sorry. I'll try to think of another way."

"Bloody hell," Gus murmured in wonder.

"Should I be worried?" came a familiar voice. A voice that belonged to a man who should not be there.

I pulled away from Seth and stared dumbly at Lincoln, standing in the doorway. His hair hung loose to his shoulders, and his jaw was shadowed with stubble. But he was in every way the most wonderful sight in the world.

"I'm no expert on women's preparations," he said idly, "but shouldn't you be wearing your wedding gown by now?"

He opened his arms and I ran into them, trying very hard not to sob.

We held one another so tightly I could feel his heart hammering, feel his heat and hard muscles through our clothes. Then his lips were on my forehead, my cheeks, my eyelids, my mouth. His hands dug into my unbound hair, and he cradled my head to keep our mouths locked together. He needn't have worried about me pulling away. I wasn't going to. I was precisely where I always wanted to be.

After a long moment that seemed to go on forever, and yet not long enough, another set of arms came around us both from behind me. It was Seth.

Lincoln smiled against my mouth and we parted. He stroked my hair from my forehead. "So you missed me," he murmured, a smile toying with his lips.

"God, yes," Seth said. "You have no idea how much."

I laughed and kissed Lincoln again. We only separated when someone cleared his throat. Lincoln let me go and embraced Gus's big frame. They slapped one another on the back in a manly fashion before Cook demanded it was his turn. Lincoln finally called enough after he'd embraced everyone.

"We don't have time for this," he announced with a glance at the clock.

My heart clenched. "Did you escape? Are the police after you?"

"No." His mouth curved in that most deliciously wicked way of his. "But we're getting married in fifteen minutes, and it takes ten to drive to the church."

I stared at him, my mouth ajar. Then I tried to tug him toward the back door that led to the courtyard and outbuildings. "Then stop kissing me and move!"

"There's a carriage waiting out front. If some ride on the outside, we should all fit, despite an extra passenger."

"Who?" I asked.

"We can't just run out now!" Lady Vickers cried, picking up her skirts and rushing off. "We are not prepared!"

"Correct, madam," Lincoln said. "Gus, the rings."

Gus pushed past her. Seth followed. "I'll fetch you a clean shirt," he said over his shoulder. "You're not getting married in the one you wore in prison."

"At least I don't have blood on mine," Lincoln called after him. "Does someone care to explain why Seth has blood on him? And why part of the house is damaged?"

"I will later," I said.

Lady Vickers strode after her son only to return to us, her skirts lifted high above her ankles. "But the dress!" she cried. "And your hair, Charlie! You can't get married looking like a wild thing. And you, Lincoln, are no better."