Of Fate and Phantoms (Ministry of Curiosities Book 7)

by C. J. Archer

  Cook chuckled. "Ain't nothing going to move with that lard arse on top of 'em."

  Gus thumped him in the shoulder. "Gave me a bit of a shock once I saw its face. Got an even bigger shock when it just disappeared like magic."

  "When I woke up," Alice mumbled. She pulled her shawl tighter. "I'm so glad everyone's all right. Who saw it first?"

  "I did," I said. "I fell asleep in the parlor, waiting for Lincoln to return."

  "Half of London heard you scream," Gus said. "My ears are still ringing."

  "You'll have to forgive me," I said with a wry smile. "It's not every night I wake up to see a white rabbit dressed in a waistcoat and trousers, demanding to see my friend."

  "Oh, Charlie." Alice took my hand. "It must have been frightening."

  "I think my heart has begun beating at its usual pace again, but I doubt I'll be falling asleep any time soon."

  "Come to the kitchen," Cook said. "I'll make hot chocolate."

  "I never turn down hot chocolate. Coming, Alice?"

  She nodded. "I'm almost too afraid to fall asleep again."

  All except Seth headed to the kitchen. He went to see if his mother's nerves had recovered. The square set of his shoulders and his strut were a sure sign that he knew Alice was staring at his back.

  Bella, Doyle and Mrs. Cotchin were already in the kitchen, pouring hot chocolate into cups for themselves, and another for Lady Vickers.

  "Was there an intruder?" Mrs. Cotchin asked, passing the pot to Cook. "Mr. Doyle says there wasn't, but the way you screamed, Miss Holloway, I could swear there must have been someone."

  "You couldn't see?" I asked.

  She shook her head, causing her nightcap to slip to one side.

  "Me neither," Bella said, a cup in each hand, her shawl draped from the crook of each elbow.

  Thank goodness for that. "I was resting in the parlor, waiting up for Mr. Fitzroy, and had a bad dream," I told them. "I must have cried out in my sleep and woken myself as well as everyone else. There was no one there, of course. I am sorry. I hope you can get back to sleep."

  Mrs. Cotchin gave me a sympathetic smile. "You poor dear. Don't you worry about us, miss. We'll be fine. You just try and rest now."

  "Thank you. Goodnight."

  She and Bella left, but Doyle remained. He yawned.

  "There's no need for you to stay up," I told him.

  He glanced at the door. "The, er, intruder has gone?" he whispered.

  "It was a figment of Alice's dream," I told him.

  He blinked slowly at Alice. "And will this dream occur again? Should I sleep by the door?"

  "I hope that's the last time," Alice said. "But I cannot be sure."

  "Perhaps if we discuss why the rabbit appeared," I said to her, "it won't happen again."

  She nodded. "Thank you, Doyle. I'm sorry your sleep was interrupted."

  He bowed. "Don't trouble yourself, Miss Everheart. It's my pleasure to be of service. If there's nothing else, I'll bid you all goodnight."

  We watched him leave then sat at the table while Cook prepared chocolate on the range. It was warm in the kitchen, which was rather fortunate since I was the only one dressed properly. Seth had found himself a shirt, but hadn't buttoned it all the way up, while Cook and Gus sported woolen stockings that sagged at their knees and ankles. Their nightshirts didn't look nearly warm enough.

  I fixed Alice's shawl to cover her neck. She smiled and drew her long hair around her shoulder, out of the way. "Thank you, Charlie."

  "Seth," I said. "Is your mother all right?"

  "She's less ruffled than I am." He patted Alice's hand. "Tell us what troubles you, Alice. Why did this dream come to life?"

  "The letter," she said with a sigh. "I received one earlier today from my parents." She looked to me and I nodded at her to go on.

  She told them what her parents had written, and how it had made her feel—both frustrated and angry, the triggers needed to bring her dreams to life.

  "It ain't surprising you had a bad dream about it," Gus said. "I'd have done, too."

  "You mustn't worry," Seth said gently. "Fitzroy's too powerful for anything like that to touch him. He and the committee will see that nothing comes of the threat."

  "I know." Alice sighed again. "But I worry anyway."

  "They can't treat you like this. It's outrageous."

  "They can do as they please. The law is on their side. God, I feel awful for bringing my problems here. I should never have come."

  Cook placed a cup of chocolate in front of her with a grim smile. "Maybe Fitzroy could visit them."

  "I wouldn't want him to go all that way just to talk to them. I doubt it would do any good."

  I scowled at Cook. He hadn't meant for Lincoln to visit them to talk. I didn't want Alice to grasp his full meaning.

  Lincoln himself wandered in, wet from head to toe from the rain. He paused in the doorway. "You're having a meeting without me."

  "Not exactly a meeting," I said. "More like a midnight party."

  "It's well after midnight, and parties should be amusing. No one looks amused."

  Cook handed him a cup of chocolate. "You look like you be needing this."

  "I'm needing an explanation." He stood with his back to the range and arched his brow at me.

  "Alice's nightmare came to life," I said.

  He'd been about to sip but lowered the cup. "Is everyone all right?"

  "We're all fine. The household woke when I screamed." I put up a hand when he stepped toward me. "I'm fine, as you can see. I fell asleep in the parlor after you left and awoke with a white rabbit looking in on me. He asked after Alice and insisted they had a pressing appointment. There were no armies, guards or weapons involved."

  "Unless you count the fire iron you threatened him with," Gus said with a wink at me.

  Lincoln didn't speak for a moment, something for which I was glad. I suspected his first thought had been to admonish Alice or perhaps send her away. Neither of which would be helpful to our situation, or for Alice's peace of mind.

  "We've assured her that you're taking care of the situation with her parents. They won't come for her or accuse you of anything."

  "Charlie's right," he said. "If a letter doesn't suffice, a personal visit will."

  Cook looked pleased. "Told you."

  "They will be made to understand that you're better off here," Lincoln went on.

  "How?" she asked.

  Cook, Gus and Seth studied their cups. I tried to think of something to say that would reassure her but not alarm her. She knew Lincoln was a dangerous man to cross, but I suspected she didn't know how dangerous. Not that he would kill innocent people, but it was best not to frighten her.

  Lincoln caught my gaze. His mouth flicked up on one side before flattening again. "I'll tell them about the ministry. I'll assure them the ministry protects people like you. Charlie can vouch for it, and me. Won't you, Charlie?"

  "Oh, yes." I smiled at Alice. "It's an excellent idea." And unexpected.

  "If you say so," Alice said.

  "Did you find King?" Gus asked Lincoln.

  Lincoln's clothes had begun to steam. He removed his jacket and placed it over a stool near the range. "He has rooms in Rugby Street."

  "That's quite a change from Whitechapel."

  "Where'd he get the money from?" Gus asked.

  "A good question," Lincoln said. "One I cannot answer yet."

  "Did you speak to him?" I asked.

  He shook his head.

  Seth leaned forward, elbows on the table. "You need more evidence before you confront him."

  "I got the evidence I need tonight, but I didn't want to confront him alone."

  Seth and Gus exchanged frowns.

  "If he's anything like Lady Gillingham, his senses are finely tuned and will warn him of my presence. According to her, he is probably also much stronger and faster than me. Forgive me for getting soft as I age, but I want you two there when I confront him."

 
; "To help," Seth said with a nod of approval.

  "As bait."

  Gus spat out his chocolate, spraying it over the table.

  Lincoln crossed his arms. "That was a joke. Yes, I want you there to help."

  Cook handed Gus a cloth. "Warn me, next time," Gus said, wiping the table. "I ain't used to your jokes."

  I bit back my smile. Gus didn't look at all amused, and Seth looked surprised that Lincoln had attempted a joke at all. Sometimes I forgot that they didn't know him like I did.

  "How did you find out he's the man we need without speaking to him?" I asked. "Did you see him change into the form of the late prince consort?"

  "Nothing as definitive as that, but I'm sure he's the one. I watched him from the street. He left at twenty minutes to one, so I entered the building and looked through his things."

  Alice gasped. "You robbed him?"

  "I merely broke in. A robbery is when you take something."

  "What did you see?" I asked before they got into an argument about the ethics of his actions.

  "The photograph of the queen and prince consort recently stolen from the palace."

  Seth nodded in approval, then caught Alice's stunned stare and added, "It's quite all right to break into someone's house if they're a thief."

  "Particularly someone who stole from the queen," Gus added, winking at Seth.

  "Coupled with the way Gawler reacted when I asked about King's shifting abilities, I'd say you have the right man," I said. "Will you confront him in the morning?"

  "Yes. Get some sleep," he said to Gus and Seth. "I want to catch him before he goes out."

  We finished our chocolates but I insisted on remaining behind to help Cook wash the dishes in the scullery. Lincoln, however, ordered Cook to leave and he helped me instead. Once Cook's footsteps faded, and aside from the occasional creak of a floorboard, the house fell silent.

  Lincoln tipped a pail of water into the basin. "You've recovered from your shock?" he asked.

  "I have. The rabbit really was harmless." I smiled. "It was dressed in a blue waistcoat and buff trousers and it carried a watch that was as big as my hand. He was very worried about being late. You ought to have seen it, Lincoln. It was quite funny, really."

  He handed me a cup but didn't let it go. "I am not laughing."

  "So I see."

  He released the cup.

  "I do see your point," I said.

  "I didn't make one."

  "No, but you're thinking it."

  He huffed out a laugh. "Are you sure you're not part seer?"

  I angled a glare at him. "You're worried about Alice living here."

  "I have a lot of people under my care now," he said. "A rabbit is one thing, but an army is another."

  "I know." I handed him back the cup to dry and he passed me another. "But we can't let her live anywhere else. Who would know what to do? Certainly not Mrs. Denk, and her parents sound like awful people. I can't imagine they know how to handle a normal girl with a mind of her own, let alone one like Alice."

  "Agreed."

  "So she stays?"

  He leaned a hip against the bench and regarded me levelly. "Charlie, there was never any question as to whether she stays or goes. Not in my mind."

  "Oh. I see." I concentrated on washing the cup, feeling awful that I'd misjudged him. "Then we must do our best to allay her fears to insure there are no more nightmares."

  "Do you think we did tonight?"

  "I hope so. She looked relieved when you said you'd take it in hand and pay her parents a visit. Telling her that you'd mention the ministry certainly went down well."

  "I thought it a nice touch."

  "Will you tell them, if it came to that?"

  He lifted one shoulder. "I don't know. I have to think through the repercussions."

  We continued to wash the cups in silence. When I finished, I dried my hands on the cloth he used. Our fingers brushed. Our gazes connected. I waited, half expecting him to take me in his arms and kiss me. He did not.

  "Lincoln," I murmured.

  "Yes?"

  "I'm glad you didn't confront King alone. I don't like it when you deliberately put yourself in danger."

  He hesitated a moment then said, "Then I'll be careful." Had he expected me to say something else? Perhaps give him an answer about the engagement ring? "Go to bed, Charlie. You look tired."

  He offered me his arm and I allowed him to escort me to my room. With a brisk kiss on the cheek, he bade me goodnight, then walked off without a backward glance.

  "Someone's coming up the drive," Alice said as she entered the dining room where Gus, Seth, Lincoln and I ate an early breakfast. The men planned to leave soon to speak to King and I'd been about to tell Lincoln that I ought to go too.

  "But it's not even eight," Seth protested with a glance at the clock.

  Lincoln rose, not waiting for Doyle to announce the visitor. I followed him out, both curious and apprehensive. No one made calls this early unless it was very important.

  Lincoln opened the front door as the large coach pulled by two magnificent , high-stepping horses came to a stop. I recognized the escutcheon of serpent coiled around a sword and groaned. Gillingham.

  My faint hope that it would be Harriet and not her husband was dashed when he opened the window. He was alone.

  "You!" Gillingham pointed the head of his walking stick at me. "What have you done?"

  "All manner of things," I said, trying to keep calm and sound unruffled. But in truth, my stomach churned. The butler must have informed him that Harriet had gone out with me the day before, and now Gillingham wanted to drag me over hot coals to pay for it.

  Gillingham's top lip peeled back from his teeth. "Where is my wife?" he ground out.

  "What do you mean?" I asked. "Isn't she at home?"

  "You've taken her somewhere and I demand to know, witch."

  Harriet, gone? Oh God, no.

  "Don't play the innocent with me. Where is she?"

  "I, I don't know. I brought her home last night after our drive. She was there when we left. Ask your butler. He saw us."

  "She left again. Snuck out of the house somehow, despite being confined to her rooms. Not a word to anyone, not even her maid. You've encouraged her with your immoral talk, your wickedness." He spat out the word along with a spray of spittle, and shook the walking stick at me.

  Lincoln grabbed the brass head and wrenched it through the window. Gillingham shrank back inside. I suspected he'd remained in there because he was afraid of Lincoln.

  "Your wife's disappearance has nothing to do with Charlie," Lincoln said.

  "It does! It must! She's never done anything like this before, never even entertained the thought of defying me, until she visited. You should learn to control your woman, Fitzroy, or—"

  Lincoln reached into the cabin and grabbed Gillingham by the coat lapels. He dragged him along the seat and half pulled him through the window. Gillingham's face had been mottled red with anger, but now all the color drained away, leaving his freckles to stand out against the stark whiteness.

  "You have only yourself to blame," Lincoln growled. "If you didn't forbid your wife to leave, she would have told you where she was going." He let go with a shove that sent Gillingham rocking back.

  Gillingham smiled, a slippery tilt of his lips. "I'll ask you if you still think that in a year. I'll wager you'll understand then, when Charlotte's being willfully disobedient."

  I placed a hand over Lincoln's arm. His tense muscles relaxed a little but not completely. "I have an inkling she might have gone to the East End," I said. "To see a man named Gawler who is like her. We spoke with him yesterday and your wife had more questions of him but didn't get to ask them."

  "You took her to meet another! My God, you're more stupid than I—"

  Lincoln grasped Gillingham's coat again. Gillingham flung his arms over his head to protect himself, dislodging his hat. When no punches were thrown he peeped out, blinked, and lowered his a
rms. Lincoln let him go.

  "If you ask around the East End for a man named Gawler, you ought to find him," I said.

  Gillingham stopped straightening his tie and coat. "You expect me to look for her? In the East End? Think again."

  "You won't go there even to find her? Are you that afraid?"

  "Of course I'm not afraid." His nostrils flared. "It's just that I can't be seen in that sort of place. What will people think?"

  "That you're deeply worried about your wife, whom you love and wish to protect."

  He sniffed and picked his hat up off the floor. "That is certainly not what they'd think. You really are a—" He glanced at Lincoln and sniffed again. "You must fetch her, Fitzroy. Be discreet. Nobody important must know. Understand?"

  "I'll find her," Lincoln said. "But only because I want to learn more about her kind too, not because I think she's in danger. I'm busy this morning. I'll go later."

  "Later! No, you must go now!"

  "Go yourself if you're that worried."

  Lincoln and I walked away, leaving Gillingham spluttering protests and threats.

  "You don't think she's in any danger?" I asked him.

  "She has her animal senses to protect her."

  I wasn't so confident. I didn't think Gawler would pose a threat, but the East End was full of unscrupulous, dangerous types who could easily take advantage of an innocent like Harriet.

  "I can't stay here and do nothing, Lincoln," I said as we re-entered the house. "I have to find her."

  "I suspected as much."

  "We'll go now? Before you pay King a visit?"

  He nodded and explained the situation to Seth and Gus. I couldn't help but feel it was my fault that Harriet had disappeared without telling anyone, but then I remembered what Lincoln had said to Gillingham. If he hadn't confined her to the house and turned the servants against her, she would have taken footmen.

  A pounding knock on the front door had me jumping out of my skin. I'd heard Gillingham's carriage leave, so I knew it couldn't be him.

  "Charlie!" came a shout from the other side. "Charlie, open up!"

  "Finley?" I opened the door and Finley rushed inside, his face red.

  He bent over at the waist and sucked in air. We crowded around him, waiting for him to catch his breath enough to speak. If I'd had a dreadful feeling in the pit of my stomach before, I now felt positively sick.