Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(85)

As was I. I clung to the arm of my new husband, not prepared to let him out of my sight all day. So when he started to discuss Swinburn as we emerged from the church, I rounded on him.

"You are not continuing the investigation today," I said, hand on hip.

"Seth told me what Swinburn's ghost told you," Lincoln said levelly. "We have to find out who is responsible for informing the newspapers and Yallop about the ministry. There's also the matter of Julia's death."

"I agree, but not today. Today you are mine. And there's no urgency now that the prince has spoken to Mr. Yallop and stopped the investigation."

"There is always Salter and The Star. We have to nip this in the bud before it rears its head again." When I hesitated, he added, "Come with me. I want your company anyway. Very much."

I narrowed my gaze. He was too charming. Lincoln was never charming. He also had a good point. The longer we let the real villain roam the streets, the longer he had a chance of causing us more problems.

"Besides, Gus has an errand to run for me," he said. "So the feast can't begin until he gets there."

I shot a glare at Gus. "What errand?"

"It's a good one!" Gus cried. "Promise, Charlie."

"Lincoln, I don't like surprises."

He took my hands in his and tugged me closer until our bodies pressed together. I tilted my head back to peer up at him. He smiled down at me and I fell into the deep, mesmerizing pools of his eyes. "You'll have to wait and see, Wife." He kissed me gently but with a longing that tugged at my insides, low down in my belly.

I sighed into him. "You're not playing fair."

His smile turned lazy and he leaned down to whisper. "You haven't played fair with me ever since I met you. Everything about you is perfect. I never stood a chance."

For someone who could be as blunt as a brick, he somehow managed to say all the right things.

"Gus'll be a good half hour at least, so we have time before we dine," he said, taking my hand. "We'll meet the others back at Lichfield." He gave orders for everyone to disperse and prepare for our return. David was the only one who grumbled at being ordered about, but the others complied cheerily.

Gus went in search of hackneys with a promise to send one our way. As I waited with Lincoln, and listened to the happy chatter of those around me, I realized he already had a plan.

"Seth told you everything that happened this morning?" I asked him.

"Yes." He put his arm around me. "Apparently you did exceptionally well. It seems I wasn't even required."

"I will always require you, Lincoln. Never think otherwise."

He blinked rapidly and tucked me against his side. His kiss lingered on the top of my head.

"Where are we going first?" I asked.

"Around the side of the church."

"There are only gravestones and trees there and no cabs."

"Also no witnesses. You're going to summon Julia's spirit."

She wasn't someone I expected to see on my wedding day, but if this matter was to be resolved, it was necessary. She was our only hope of finding out who pushed her. Once we learned that, the trail would hopefully lead us to the person who betrayed us.

Yet I hated to think what her answer would be. As much as I didn't quite believe Harriet was entirely innocent, the thought of her being a murderer and traitor sickened me.

"What's her middle name?" I asked as we stood in the graveyard, pretending to pay our respects to the deceased. No one was about but it was wise to be cautious. It was unnerving summoning a ghost at the best of times, but even more so in a holy place.

"Iris," Lincoln said. "Remember to use Buchanan not the Harcourt title."

"Julia Iris Buchanan," I intoned. "Come to me, the spirit of Julia Iris Buchanan."

A breeze ruffled my hair and brushed my skin. It was warm, not cool, and no ghost appeared. "Julia Iris Buchanan," I said again, then added, "Otherwise known as Lady Harcourt. I summon you here to speak with me."

Nothing happened. I tried again and was about to try another time, when Lincoln told me to stop. "I expected you to fail," he said.

"Why? Does she have another name? Perhaps I should use her maiden name." What a scandal that would be if it turned out she'd never married Lord Harcourt after all.

"It won't make a difference. Her spirit can't be summoned because she's not dead."





Chapter 18





Luckily Lincoln held my hand as I stumbled through the graveyard back to the front of the church or I would have fallen. I hardly noticed where I stepped. My mind reeled with questions and theories, none of which made any sense.

The others had left and a hansom waited for us by the curb. Lincoln assisted me to the seat and closed the door in front of our knees. Lincoln gave the driver directions to Harcourt House through the ceiling hatch before changing his mind and giving him a different address. I didn't recognize it.

"How did you know she wasn't dead?" I asked as we drove off.

"I had a long time to contemplate it in my cell," he said. "There were too many things that didn't make sense, and I concluded that we were wrong. Swinburn wouldn't risk his life and reputation to bring about my downfall, and Julia wouldn't take her own life. She's not the type."