Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(89)

"Alice, I need you in the house," I said. "You too, Eva, if you wouldn't mind."

My room was at the opposite end of the house to the damage, fortunately. With Eva and Alice's help, I shucked out of my old dress and put on my wedding gown. "I was determined to wear this thing at some point," I told them with a laugh.

Alice did up the hooks and eyes at the back while Eva brushed out my hair. It was a bit of a mess after all the activity of the morning. It took some time for them both to arrange it with the string of pearls Lady Vickers had left on my bedside table. She also left a scented note saying she hoped I could make use of the loan. I certainly did. The effect was very becoming.

"I feel like a princess," I said, studying my reflection.

"You look lovely," Eva said, stepping back. "What a beautiful bride. Lincoln will be delighted to see you in the dress."

"I suspect Lincoln would rather see her out of it," Alice said with a wicked smile.

A hot flush heated my entire body, and I suddenly didn't know where to look.

"Speaking of which," Alice went on, "we've all made arrangements to stay with Mrs. Sullivan tonight so you'll have Lichfield to yourselves. She has room in that big old house if some of us share a bedroom."

I slipped on my heeled shoes and we headed back outside. Lincoln stood upon seeing me, an odd smile on his lips. It took me a moment to realize it was somewhere between a stunned smile and a happy one. I did a twirl upon Lady Vickers' command then found myself scooped up into Lincoln's arms. He kissed me more thoroughly than was acceptable in front of our guests, but nobody minded.

"Do you like the dress?" I asked.

"I do," he murmured. "But I like what's in the dress more."

I circled my arms around his neck and kissed him again until Lady Vickers declared enough was enough. "There'll be time for all of that later."

"Is the dress easy to get off?" Lincoln whispered in my ear as he set me on my feet.

"It could provide you with a challenge," I said.

"Good." He nuzzled my neck. "I like a challenge."

"I wish we had music for dancing," Lady Vickers said. "Why didn't we organize a quartet?"

"We could sing," Gus said. "I'm a good singer."

Seth snorted. "You sound like a strangled cat."

Gus threw a strawberry at him.

Lincoln suddenly turned in the direction of the front gate. His sister and mother did the same thing. A rider appeared a moment later. I recognized him as one of the Gillinghams' servants. He handed a message to Lincoln then rode off again.

"What does it say?" Lord Marchbank asked.

"It's from Harriet," Lincoln said, lowering the note so I could read it too.

"She's had the baby!" I told them.

"Isn't she only a few months along?" Lady Marchbank asked.

"Ah, I forgot to fill you in on that little piece of news, my dear," her husband said.

"She was near full term when she found out?"

"No, the gestation period of wolves is shorter, apparently."

David pulled a face. "Did she give birth to a wolf?"

"According to this," I said, "the baby looks normal. She and the baby are well but Lord Gillingham fainted."

That produced a round of chuckles.

"The letter also says that she encouraged Gillingham to tell Mr. Salter that he made up the story about werewolves and Gawler's involvement in the murders," Lincoln said. "A retraction will be printed in tomorrow's edition." He folded up the letter. "That should ease the public's fear."

"And be the final nail in the coffin of Mr. Yallop's select committee," Seth added.

"Once the palace exert some pressure in the same direction, I think Mr. Yallop will have no choice but to stop his investigation."

It was an immense relief and meant I could enjoy the rest of the afternoon. The only problem left to tackle now was what to do about the army. I was at a loss for suggestions, but I also didn't want to think too much about it. Not today. Today was for laughter and feasting, and enjoying Lincoln's company, and the heady anticipation of being alone with him tonight.

He excused himself and headed back to the house. I watched him go, admiring the shape of his body as it tapered from broad shoulders to narrow hips, and the way his trousers fit nicely.

Gus came to stretch out alongside me, leaning on his elbow. He nodded in the direction of Eva and Leisl, having a quietly earnest discussion. I wouldn't have thought much of it except they kept glancing in Seth's direction as he lay flat on his back near Alice, his eyes closed.

"They're arguing about him," Gus whispered.

"Why?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Do you see the way Alice is looking at him too?"

I studied Alice, sitting with her feet out to the side, leaning on her hand. She was looking at Seth, perhaps taking advantage of his eyes being closed to study him properly, but her features were unreadable. She looked away when Lady Vickers called her name then joined her with a smile. At least those two were getting along now.

Leisl nudged her daughter but Eva shook her head and spoke crossly. I was extremely curious and was trying to think of a way to get closer without making it too obvious that I was eavesdropping when Lady Marchbank interrupted me.