***
When I awoke late morning, I quickly dressed and hurried down the stairs. I found Seth and Gus in the scullery, helping Cook with chores.
"You missed breakfast," Cook said without glancing up from the pot he scrubbed.
"Can't you fry a little bacon for her?" Seth asked.
"I'll do it," I said. "Is Mr. Fitzroy here?"
"He came back two hours ago," Gus said. He sat on his haunches on the floor, scrubbing brush in hand, and rubbed his back. "He's probably sleeping."
"If he sleeps." Seth grinned and winked at me. "I'm not sure he requires any."
"You mean he's been out all night?" I looked from one to the other and received only shrugs. "Does he do that often?"
"On occasion." Seth indicated I should walk ahead of him out of the scullery. "When the need arises."
I was about to ask what he meant, but decided it was best not to ask. He might mean the sort of needs only a woman could satisfy.
He followed me into the kitchen and showed me where Cook kept the pan and bacon. I wasn't overly familiar with cooking, but Seth taught me how to add more coal to the range, although it was still hot enough for my needs. The actual cooking part was easy. He made some tea while I worked and we chatted as I ate.
By the time I finished, I'd learned about his love of all things equestrian and the details of every horse he'd ever owned. I learned nothing about himself or his family, except that they must have been wealthy to afford all those horses. My father had not owned one.
"Good morning." Fitzroy's sudden appearance caught me by surprise. As usual, I'd not heard him approach. "Did you sleep well?"
"Abominably," I said. "I hear you didn't sleep at all."
He unwrapped the bacon I'd carefully rewrapped and placed two rashers in the pan I'd used. "I managed a little."
I was diverted from my own food by the sight of a gentleman cooking his own breakfast. I supposed in a household without servants he occasionally had to do things for himself. When he finished, he tipped the bacon onto a plate and accepted a cup of tea from Seth. He sat opposite me and ate.
"Did you find him, sir?" Seth asked.
"Yes, but I lost him again."
"Again!"
Fitzroy's sharp glare pinned Seth for a brief moment before releasing him. He continued to eat but the air in the kitchen had become chilly, despite the heat thrown out from the range.
"You were looking for Frankenstein last night." My words came out in a rush, followed by a bubble of laughter.
Fitzroy watched me from beneath lowered lashes while continuing to eat. Seth shrugged. "Where did you think he was?" he asked.
"That…never mind. So you found him again?"
"And lost him in the same spot," Fitzroy said. He sounded more bemused than angry. It was as if he couldn't fathom how he'd lost Frankenstein. Perhaps it had never happened before.
"The man must be a magician to get away from you twice," Seth said.
"The thought had crossed my mind."
I blinked at him. "Magic? Surely that's a joke?"
"I don't joke."
"Amen," Seth muttered as he picked up the empty pan.
"But…magic…" I shook my head. "That's something only children and fools believe in."
"As are necromancers," Fitzroy said.
"Point taken." I finished my bacon and pushed my plate aside. "You said you lost him in the same place. Where precisely was that?"
"You think you can help?" Seth asked, taking my plate. "Best leave this to us, Charlie."
I flattened my palms on the table. "Don't treat me like a child. My knowledge of London's streets likely exceeds yours. I doubt you found yourself in too many dark, crowded lanes during your pampered life."
"You'd be surprised," he said with a harsh laugh. "My life hasn't been all that pampered of late."
I rubbed my temple and winced. "I'm sorry, Seth, I didn't mean to let my temper get the better of me."
He chucked me under the chin and smiled. "Don't fret. I deserved it."
Fitzroy shoved his plate at Seth. Seth's face fell. He took the plate and wandered out of the kitchen toward the scullery.
"Totten Lane," Fitzroy said to me. "Do you know it?"
"In Clerkenwell? Yes, I do." I frowned and chewed on my lower lip. The lane bled into a small, miserable courtyard, where several families occupied the tenements. There were buildings on all sides, and there was no other exit except through a manhole that led to the underground sewers. It was located behind a brick wall that seemed to belong to one of the buildings from a distance, but up close, it became obvious that the wall was once part of an old well that had once stood there. "I know how he disappeared."
One of his brows lifted. "Go on."
"It's easier if I show you. Shall we go now?"
I stood and he stood too. "I don't think that's wise."
"Why not? You need to find Frankenstein, and I can help you." I crossed my arms in what I hoped was a show of defiance but felt more like pettiness.
"You were afraid before, and with good reason."
"I was. I still am. But I know that helping you will mean he's caught sooner. When he's caught, I can stop being afraid."
He blinked slowly and nodded. He walked off and I had to race to catch up to him.
"Wait, sir."
He stopped in the narrow, dark service corridor and waited until I was alongside him.
"I want to help. I owe you for taking me in."
"You don't. The circumstances under which you came here…were not ideal. It should negate any gratitude you feel. It's I who should be thanking you."
"True," I said lightly.
He huffed out a breath that might or might not have been a laugh. "Thank you, Charlie, for not shooting me in the head."
I shivered at the memory of having nearly killed him. A few inches to the left and the bullet would have pierced his heart. I folded my arms against the chill.
"Charlie," he said softly. "It was a joke."
"Not a very funny one."
He sighed. "I'm unused to making jokes. I apologize. I'll hold my tongue next time."
"No! Don't do that. I prefer your unfunny jokes to none at all." I liked that he was telling jokes when he ordinarily didn't. It felt like he was trying just for me.
"You'll change your mind soon enough."
I wasn't sure if that was meant as a joke too, so I laughed anyway, just in case. "Sir," I said, peering up at him, "what will happen to me after Frankenstein is caught and this is over? I don't wish to live with Lady Harcourt, and I can't go back to the streets."
"No, you can't."
"I'd like to stay here."
"That has yet to be decided."
"Who decides? You?"
"I make all the decisions regarding the ministry and Lichfield Towers."
"Don't tell Lord Gillingham that. He seems to think you're an underling."
"Don't be afraid of Gillingham. He's an old goat in an expensive suit, nothing more."
"I don't want you to incur his wrath if I stay here."
"I can cope with Gillingham's wrath, and anyone else's censure. If I decide that you are to stay, that is."
"Don't send me away," I whispered. It was suddenly so hard to hold myself together. Mere days ago, all I'd wanted was to get away from Lichfield. But now, the thought of leaving was unbearable.
We stood so close that I could feel the heat of him. I was aware of his every breath, every shift of muscle, and my aching response to him.
"Charlie," he said on a sigh, "staying here may not be in your best interests."
"How can it not be?"
His gaze wandered over the top of my head, toward the scullery where three deep, quiet voices hummed in conversation.
"You are entirely wrong, Lincoln."
His gaze flew to mine.
"I know what you're thinking, and you're wrong." I thrust my hand on my hip, angrier now. Good. I preferred anger to the pathetic whin
e I heard in my voice moments ago. "I am capable of taking care of myself, and I am also not going to succumb to teasing flattery from the men. I'd hoped you thought me better than that."
His lips parted and I was gratified to see that my words had slapped him into giving a facial expression. If I wasn't mistaken, my outburst had shocked him. Perhaps he hadn't expected me to be aware of his thoughts on the matter.
"Now, have someone prepare the horses and carriage. We're going to Clerkenwell." I picked up my skirts and sailed off down the passageway, out of the service area. I didn't turn to see if he watched or not, but if the heat in the back of my head was an indication, he couldn't take his gaze off me. I only wished I knew if I'd shocked him in a good way or bad.