Vow of Deception: Ministry of Curiosities, Book #9

by C. J. Archer

"Be careful, Mr. Salter," he said. "Don't write anything too speculative in your newspaper or you might reveal too much. There are some people who wish to keep the supernatural a secret and they'll try to silence you."

  Mr. Salter shot to his feet and squared his shoulders. "Is that an idle threat?"

  "I don't make idle threats. Ask your source. They'll tell you."

  "In that case, let me advise you to be careful too, Mr. Fitzroy. If these murders were in fact committed by a wolf-like shifter, and you are found to be harboring one, you might find your ministry coming under intense scrutiny."

  Lincoln watched him from beneath hooded lids, that fierce gaze of his never wavering. Tension made his features hard, his body rigid. I hooked my arm through his and steered him toward the door before he created a scene.

  We made our way out of The Star's office and climbed back into our waiting coach.

  "The nerve of him!" I snapped as we drove off. "He doesn't care about the trouble he's stirring up at all. Imagine if people believe that article. They'll panic if they think there are werewolves roaming the city."

  "They will if there's another murder," Lincoln said darkly. "It'll be like the Ripper murders all over again."

  "Who do you think told Salter about the ministry? Swinburn? Ballantine?"

  "It's possible, but if they also suggested the werewolf theory to Salter then they're putting themselves in danger of being exposed. I can't imagine Swinburn would jeopardize his pack by inviting scrutiny."

  "I suppose," I muttered, not entirely convinced. Swinburn was so slippery that I suspected him of everything at the moment. "Lady Harcourt, in revenge?"

  "We only removed her from the committee this morning. But if Salter had information about her past then it's possible she exchanged this information for his silence. It wouldn't surprise me. She doesn't want to lose Swinburn."

  "It wouldn't surprise me either." I looked out of the window and watched the long shadows of the late afternoon slip past. "There's also Buchanan and any number of people we've met in the past—Lord Harcourt and his wife, Miss Redding from the theater… Sometimes it seems as if the entire world knows about the ministry."

  "It hasn't been a priority to keep it a secret. Just your necromancy."

  I turned to face him. "Do you think Mr. Salter knows about that?"

  His brow creased in thought. "He didn't mention it."

  "And he didn't give me odd looks, like most do when they learn what I am." I drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I suspect he doesn't know." But how long before he found out?

  He leaned forward and closed his hand over mine. "The question is, did his source leave that piece of information out deliberately, or did he or she not know?"

  The answer to that would change the list of suspects.

  "The Society for Supernatural Activity is an organization that had entanglements with the Langleys," he said.

  "Are you implying the Langleys are Salter's source?" I shook my head. "Surely not. Jack Langley is a demon himself, and there is a portal on his property. He didn't like discussing the supernatural with us at first. Despite all that, I can't believe it of them anyway."

  "Why not?"

  "I liked them."

  His features softened. "That isn't a good defense."

  "And this is not a courtroom."

  He stroked my wrist with his thumb. "There's another possibility. Someone I expect you to defend."

  I snatched my hand back. "You are not going to accuse Alice or Lady Vickers! Who's next? Seth or Gus?"

  He sat back and folded his arms. His eyes banked with a coldness I didn't like. "You think I'd do that?"

  I bit my lip. "No. You're right. You wouldn't. I'm sorry, Lincoln. Who do you suspect?"

  "The royal family."

  I stared at him for so long my eyes watered. "You think your father is the source? I cannot believe it. He likes you, and his brother the duke likes him. They wouldn't talk about you to anyone. Besides, the royals are not the sort to trust newspapers. They dislike that sort of attention."

  "Unless it helps them."

  "How does telling a reporter from The Star about you and the ministry help them?"

  "I don't know yet."

  "It's a working men's daily anyway, and far too left wing for the royals. They'd probably go to the The Standard. No, I still think it's Swinburn."

  "Then if Swinburn is confiding in newspapermen, we have another problem." At my raised brow, he added, "He could tell Salter who my father is."

  I considered that a moment then shook my head. "The risk is too great. He wouldn't want to offend the royal family, and he knows he'd be our number one suspect, since so few are privy to that piece of information."

  "Whoever it is knows about Harriet being a shape changer. Salter mentioned the ministry harboring one. That can only mean her."

  "Then we can rule out the royal family," I said.

  "Unless Swinburn has informed the prince or duke."

  "Could Mr. Salter be referring to Gawler and the fact you have not held him accountable for these murders?"

  He nodded thoughtfully. "That is a very good point."

  I sighed. We were not getting any closer to answers, only more questions. "So what do we do now?"

  "I look through that notebook from Salter."

  "Oh! Yes, the one he placed in his desk drawer. Why hide it from us if it's not important? It probably contains the name of his informant." I rubbed my hands together. "Shall we break into The Star's office tonight?"

  "I will do the breaking in without you. That is not negotiable, Charlie, so don't attempt to change my mind."

  "But—"

  He lunged toward me, planted his hands on the seat either side of me, and pressed his mouth to mine before I could say anything more. The kiss sent a thrill through me, right to my toes. It was full of ferocious desire, of a need that came from deep within him. I could not push him away. Didn't want to. I clung to his shoulders and deepened the kiss.

  He finally sat back opposite when the coach turned a sharp corner. I was gratified to see that his cheeks had colored. He looked as flustered as I felt.

  "You are diabolical," I said.

  He flashed me a wicked grin.

  "But you can't silence me forever," I said.

  "Seth and Gus will come with me. There's no need for you, too."

  I didn't bother to contradict him. It would only end in an argument.

  * * *

  I slept through the night and missed Lincoln's nocturnal excursion to The Star's office and his subsequent visit to Mr. Salter's lodgings. It was a pity, as I would have liked to scramble through windows like I used to. It turned out that he didn't take Gus or Seth either. I did not admonish him for it in front of them as we all sat in his study in the morning, but planned to do so later.

  "Did you find the notebook?" Seth asked.

  "No," Lincoln said. "It wasn't in his office, and I couldn't find it in his rooms. I didn't check his bedroom for risk of waking him."

  "You never used to worry about that," Seth said with a laugh.

  Lincoln glared at him and Seth gulped.

  "Might be worth going back when he ain't there," Gus suggested.

  "I disagree," I said. "I suspect he keeps the notebook close, perhaps even on his person."

  "My money's still on Swinburn being Salter's source," Seth said. "Or Julia. Perhaps both together."

  I no longer felt so sure. Lincoln was right; Swinburn wouldn't jeopardize his pack by drawing the ire of the public. Imagine if Salter's articles led to vigilantes roaming the streets at night or an extra police presence. At best, they would be seen during their runs, and at worst, they'd be shot at.

  A knock sounded on the door and Lincoln asked the visitor to enter. It was Alice, biting her lip and looking drawn. She seemed out of sorts since returning from Freak House. She was often distracted by her own thoughts and frequently took out her frustration on the piano keys. When I asked her what the matter was, she
simply shook her head and refused to answer.

  "I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have visitors," she announced. "The Cornells wish to speak to you."

  "Just Lincoln?" Seth asked.

  "All of you. Leisl particularly asked for you, Seth."

  He tugged on his cuffs. "She finds me charming."

  Gus thumped his arm but had no cutting remark to offer. Perhaps because Seth was right and it was his presence that Leisl liked. Older women in particular found him charming.

  I hung back with Alice, allowing the men to go on ahead. "Is everything all right?" I asked her.

  "My nerves are frayed. The lack of progress regarding my situation is torture. I thought going to Frakingham would bring answers, and a plan to help me, but it hasn't. In fact, the investigation into my condition has stalled altogether."

  "We're busy with solving the murders. That must take priority."

  She sighed again. "I know. But that doesn't mean I can't feel irritable. You cannot understand how important this is to me. I must find a way to stop these dreams coming to life. I must find answers."

  "What if the answer is that they cannot be stopped? What if this is how you'll be forever?" I felt awful for pointing it out but she ought to prepare herself for the worst. "Just as I have to live with the fact I'm a necromancer."

  "At least you can control when you raise the dead. I can't control my affliction."

  "Perhaps you'll learn to."

  She threw her hands in the air. "When? I need to learn now, before something awful happens or that horrid little rodent returns."

  "Rabbits aren't rodents." I didn't tell her that I found the creature rather adorable with his floppy ears and waistcoat. He'd not tried to harm anyone, he’d merely urged her to go with him. "You must relax, Alice. You know what happens when you're frustrated."

  "I'll try."

  "As soon as we discover who has killed those people, we'll investigate portals and realms. I promise."

  She hugged my arm and we headed down the stairs, catching up to Seth who'd paused on the step. I followed his gaze to see his mother emerging from the hidden door that led to the service stairs. The stairs ran through the house between the walls with a door to each level for the servants to easily come and go. We used them, from time to time, if we didn't want to be seen by other members of the household, although those times were rare now Lichfield housed more staff. I'd never seen Lady Vickers venture through any of the doors before.

  She headed in the other direction, not having seen us. Her light hum drifted along the corridor. It was a pretty, happy tune.

  "Your mother seems content lately," I said to Seth.

  He grunted. "That's what worries me."

  I exchanged a glance with Alice. "Why?" I asked him.

  "Because I've noticed her talking to Cook a lot."

  I pressed my lips together to suppress my smile.

  "You're worried they're developing a tendre for one another?" Alice asked.

  "She has a history of it."

  "And what is wrong with Cook courting her? He's a fine man."

  Seth turned a sharp glare onto her. "You wouldn't understand."

  "I understand that you don't like people from different stations courting each other."

  "That's not why," Seth said and walked off.

  "I think my charm is wearing off," Alice said, sounding pleased. "Thank goodness for that."

  "Don't goad him," I said as we followed Seth at a distance. "He's sensitive about his mother's second marriage, and it seems she may be heading down the same path again. Her choices affect him."

  "He's old enough not to let it matter. He should be pleased that she seems to have found happiness again."

  It was impossible to argue with that.

  All three members of the Cornell family waited for us in the drawing room. Lincoln greeted them stiffly while I gave them each a kiss on the cheek. We'd seen them twice in the last two months, including at a dinner held here. While it had been a pleasant evening, on the whole, David was still rather frosty toward Lincoln, his half-brother. Their mother had told me to give them time. I wondered how long it would take before he accepted Lincoln into his family.

  I wondered how long it would take for Lincoln to want to be a part of it.

  "What can we do for you?" Lincoln asked, getting straight to the point.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw David's lips flatten in irritation at Lincoln's curtness. His sister, however, kept her face averted. Eva studied her lap, her hands clasped tightly. I got the distinct impression she was avoiding meeting anyone's gaze but couldn't fathom why. She'd been amiable and kind to us since discovering she had a half-brother, with a wicked sense of humor. I liked her.

  "I had a vision about you, Lincoln," Leisl said. "I come to warn you."

  Heavy dread settled in my heart. "Warn him?"

  "I see you trapped in a small room."

  "Where?" I asked.

  "I do not know." Leisl wrung her hands together, her handsome brow deeply furrowed. "I am worried, Charlie."

  Lincoln remained unmoved as he stood by the fireplace. He didn't ask his mother any more questions, so it would seem it was up to me.

  "What did the room look like?"

  "Dark, damp, bare. The walls are dirty. I do not see the door or windows, if there are any, but my seer's senses know he cannot get out."

  "Any idea how he got in there?" Seth asked.

  "It doesn't work that way," David snapped.

  "Then how does it work?" Seth snapped right back.

  "She sees or senses only a moment in time, not the before or after."

  Eva cleared her throat. "The visions act as a warning of what is to come."

  "So they only reveal the bad?" Gus said. "Never the good?"

  "Good too," Leisl said with a glance at Eva. "But not this time. This is bad. You must be careful, Lincoln."

  Lincoln inclined his head in a nod but didn't speak.

  "He will be," I told her. "I'll make sure of it."

  Leisl looked expectantly at Lincoln. He studied the hearth at his feet. I could hear my own breathing and the tick of the clock on the mantel in the hush. Why didn't he reassure her? She only needed to hear a word or two from him telling her he would be careful, even if he didn't mean it. I almost scolded him then and there, but it was David who finally broke the tension.

  "Don't you care, Fitzroy?"

  "David, don't," Eva said.

  "We came all this way to warn you," David went on.

  "You didn't have to come," Eva hissed.

  "Thank you," Lincoln finally said to Leisl.

  It wasn't nearly enough but I knew it was all Lincoln would offer, and I think Leisl understood that. She smiled tentatively.

  "Let's go," David said, rising.

  "Won't you stay for tea?" I asked as Mrs. Cotchin and Doyle entered carrying trays laden with tea things and cakes.

  "We can't," Eva said, also rising.

  "We can," Leisl said. Her children exchanged glances then sat again.

  "Do you think this vision is connected to the one you had about the queen, Eva?" I asked as I poured the tea. "Where you think she will be a danger to us?"

  Eva shook her head and accepted the teacup. "I don't know. Mama sensed no regal presence in her vision."

  "Too many bloody warnings and not enough information," Gus muttered. "Pardon me, ma'am, miss, but what're we s'posed to do with 'em? How can we be careful if we don't know what to be careful of?"

  It was a question without an answer. We left behind discussions of visions and dire predictions and moved instead to talk of the wedding. Lady Vickers joined us, her mood still buoyant. I tried to imagine her having a rendezvous with Cook on the service stairs but only ended up giggling into my teacup.

  Seth shot me a glare. I suspected he knew precisely what I was thinking.

  Our guests remained for another half an hour, during which I could see the men growing increasingly eager to leave the drawing room.
When Eva reminded her mother that she had a lecture to attend at London Hospital, Leisl finally agreed it was time to depart. David was the first to stand.

  "Thank you for the tea," he said to me. "It was a pleasure to see you, as always, Charlie." He spoke just as nicely to the others, but was as brisk as ever with Lincoln.

  Eva caught my elbow and held me back, allowing the others to go on ahead. "I'm sorry we all descended on you like this."

  "Don't be silly," I said. "We're happy to see you."

  "My mother insisted on coming and having me with her. David insisted on joining us."

  "To see his brother again, perhaps?" I teased.

  She grinned. "I do think he's thawing to the idea of having a brother."

  "That was David thawing?"

  "Oh yes. He didn't grumble once on the way here, whereas he used to. The real test will be what he says about Lincoln on the way home." She took my arm and squeezed it. "Don't worry. He'll thaw out altogether eventually."

  "I'm not worried. He's exactly like Lincoln in that regard. They may not like one another by the wedding day, but I'm sure their greetings will move on from polite nods and graduate to grunts soon enough. Grunts are practically hugs in Lincoln's book."

  She laughed and we strode toward the door arm in arm. Ahead, Seth placed a hand to Alice's lower back to steer her down the front steps.

  "May I ask you a question about Seth and Alice?" Eva whispered, her head bent to mine.

  "Of course."

  "Is there an understanding between them?"

  "He would like there to be, but she doesn't seem interested. I do think that will change when she gets to know him better and sees that there is substance behind his handsome face. Why do you ask?"

  "No reason."

  "Come now, Eva, you can share with me. Have you had a vision about them?"

  She blushed and I knew I was right. "Not them," she said.

  "Just Seth?"

  She went to stride off but I clung to her and kept her at my side.

  "Please, Eva, just tell me if it's something to be worried about."

  She stared at Seth's back as he spoke to Alice. He flashed her a dazzling smile but Alice didn't respond. His smile faded quickly and he lowered his hand. Poor Seth. He needed to stop trying so hard. She would grow to like him in her own time, when he was acting more like himself.