Page 4 of Her Majesty's Necromancer
I followed at a rapid pace behind him down the stairs. "You would think a cemetery would have a few new ghosts floating about, ones who haven't yet crossed for one reason or another."
"Ghosts that remain to haunt are confined to the place where they died, not where they were buried."
"Yes, thank you, I have read the books in your library on the subject. I only thought…" I sighed. "Never mind. It would seem my necromancy will be of no use to you. How about my keen powers of observation, instead?"
"Stay here. It's warm and there's food."
I pulled a face at his back, only to have to quickly school my features when he glanced over his shoulder. He speared me with that dark gaze of his and then looked forward once more. The man had an uncanny intuition sometimes, which made his lack of empathy all the more baffling.
"There'll also be warmth and food upon my return," I told him, as he opened the front door.
"Do not make me you lock you in your room again." He shut the door before I even had a chance to gasp at his response.
I marched back to the kitchen. "Of all the ill-advised things to say!" I waved away Seth's questioning look and accepted a plate from Gus.
"Did I hear the front door?" Seth asked.
"He's gone out." I spooned peas onto my plate. "To investigate the robbery."
Gus accepted the bowl of peas from me. "What's he expect to find in the dark?"
"P'haps he's expectin' another robbery tonight," Cook said as he placed slices of beef on our plates.
"It's been two months since the last one," I said. "I doubt there'll be two in one night."
We ate and waited patiently for Lincoln to return. Or rather, I ate little and my heart leapt at every noise. The men finished their meals, and mine, then collected the plates.
"Told you the cake would ruin her appetite," Gus said, heading toward the scullery.
I helped with the washing up, then tried to play cards but couldn't concentrate. I lost my share of the dried broad beans we were wagering with and removed myself to the library to wait for Lincoln. From there, I could see the drive and front lawn. The moon glowed faintly behind a bank of clouds and haze, providing little light to see by. I didn't bother with candles or lamps; I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate on a book. I wasn't sure why I felt anxious. Lincoln was more than capable of taking care of himself. Perhaps it was simply because Lichfield had been so quiet and calm of late that a part of me hadn't expected it to last.
Despite my worry, I must have fallen asleep. I awoke to the sensation of something brushing my cheek. When I opened my eyes, Lincoln crouched in front of me.
"You're awake." He stood and placed his hands behind his back. Someone had lit candles and the light flickered across his cheeks only to be swallowed by his eyes. They seemed blacker than ever.
"What time is it?" I smothered a yawn and uncurled my feet from beneath me.
"Early hours of the morning. You should be in bed."
"So should you. Did you see anything at the cemetery?"
"The robbers didn't return, and it was too dark to look for clues."
"You mean you can't see in the dark? And here I thought you were capable of anything." When he didn't respond, I mumbled an apology. It would seem he didn't like my teasing and I needed to remember that my position at Lichfield was a precarious one. The committee members had wanted me removed from the country altogether. Only Lincoln had wanted me to stay and only then because he thought the nation was safer where he could keep a close eye on me. He could change his mind and have me sent away at any moment. No one would gainsay him.
"Can I get you anything?" I asked, rising. "You must be hungry."
He dismissed my offer with a wave of his hand. I bobbed an awkward curtsy—something I didn't usually do but felt I ought to every now and again—and was about to walk away when his hand on my arm stopped me.
"Charlie." He let me go and resumed his military stance. "I want to apologize for my joke earlier."
"You made a joke? Was I present at the time?"
His jaw hardened. "About locking you up again."
"That was a joke?"
"I can see now that it might not have been taken as such, considering the circumstances under which you were first brought here."
