Page 70 of The Last Necromancer
Gus shook his head and nodded at Fitzroy. Fitzroy, however, took a step back. It wasn't until Gillingham tugged on his tie that I realized he'd been anxious.
Lady Harcourt clasped my hand before I walked off. "Everything will be all right. You'll see."
"I'm not worried," I said with a shrug. And I wasn't. I didn't care if Fitzroy gave Gillingham a bloody nose. I just didn't want to see it.
"You ought to be," Lord Marchbank said. "Of everyone here, I'm the only one who saw the crime scene. I know what this Dr. Frankenstein is capable of."
He was right, and I should have been more concerned about the murdering doctor. He wanted me, and he seemed desperate enough to go to great lengths to get me.
"Was that necessary?" Lady Harcourt said to Lord Marchbank. "You've scared her now."
"Good. Fear will keep her safe."
He was correct there. It was a sentiment that had helped me get through five long, hard years relatively unscathed.
I hadn't decided whether I liked Lord Marchbank. He spoke less than the others, only talking when he needed to impart an important point. In that, he reminded me of Fitzroy. It was a trait that made it very difficult to read either man.
Gillingham pushed himself to his feet. "Good day, gentlemen, Lady Harcourt. I've got business to attend to."
I stepped aside to let him pass. The other committee members also made their excuses. They, at least, addressed me in their farewells.
"Remember what I said," Lady Harcourt whispered as she took my arm. "There will be a place for you in my household, if you wish, when this is over. You won't have to live on the street anymore."
"Thank you." I decided not to go through the ritual of refusing her offer again, but I knew I could never live with her, either as a servant or her companion. Indeed, I couldn't imagine living anywhere other than Lichfield Towers.
The admission shocked me and left me speechless as the carriages rolled away. I'd only resided there less than a week, and most of that as a prisoner, and yet I felt more comfortable there than anywhere. Perhaps that had more to do with the fact that I had no home now. Not in the Tufnell Park house I'd grown up in, or any of the derelict buildings I'd lived in with the boys' gangs. Dr. Frankenstein would be looking for me in all those places. I wasn't safe there. I was only safe at Lichfield.
Seth confronted me at the foot of the stairs, arms crossed over his impressive chest, making him seem even broader. "You didn't wish to eat more, did you?"
"No. I needed to leave the parlor."
He sighed. "I thought as much."
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you believed me."
"I was hopeful." He lowered his arms. "At least you ate all your lunch."
"And I promise to eat all of my dinner, as long as the plate isn't piled too high or Cook serves sprouts."
He pulled a face. "I'll boycott the sprouts too, if he does." His gaze slid to a point past my shoulder. He cleared his throat, gave me an uncertain smile, then moved away.
I turned to see Fitzroy hovering. "I'm not going to try and escape." At his small frown, I added, "Your constant presence…you seem to think I'll run away at any moment. I won't. I gave you my word and I intend to keep it."
"I never doubted it." Still, he did not leave.
"Is there something you wished to speak to me about?"
"No." He went to walk away but stopped. "Yes. Are you comfortable here? Is there anything you require?"
"I'm not sure. I haven't resided here as a free woman for very long yet." At his blank face, I added, "I have everything I need for now. Thank you."
It was a strange, awkward conversation, which seemed to be leading onto a further question, perhaps the one I suspected he truly wanted to ask, yet he merely said, "I will be out all afternoon, searching for Dr. Frankenstein."
"Without me?"
"Your presence isn't required."
"I suppose not." I was relieved, on the whole, yet a part of me wanted to go with him. Or wanted, at least, to be with him.
