Page 50 of Grave Expectations
"She doesn't see fit to keep me up to date with everything in her life. I suspect she sees the ministry as something of her own. I have, after all, only just learned of its existence. I don't expect her to inform me of everything. Yet."
"You want to become more involved in ministry affairs?"
He lifted one shoulder. "Why not? It's my birthright."
"Actually, it's your older brother's birthright."
"He has no interest. I do. I find the occult business fascinating. Your magic, for example…what's it called again?"
I eyed the door to make sure Doyle hadn't returned. "Necromancy."
"Necromancy. Fascinating stuff."
This was a new development that I hadn't anticipated. Andrew Buchanan hadn't been considered for the committee position vacated upon his father's death because Lord Harcourt didn't think his second son responsible enough. Based on previous encounters, I tended to agree.
"The committee is merely an advisory body, with no real power," I told him in an attempt to discourage him. "Mr. Fitzroy is the leader and makes all the decisions."
"The committee placed him in the position of leader."
"No. An old prophecy saw to that." I waylaid further discussion on the matter by steering the conversation toward his stepmother. "How is Lady Harcourt? I ought to visit her and thank her for her concern. She called upon Mr. Fitzroy when she learned of my disappearance yesterday, you see."
"She did?" His sly smile reminded me of the Buchanan of old. "Be careful with my dear step-mama. She has sharp claws and likes to dig them into things she believes belong to her. My father found himself thoroughly hooked."
"Are you warning me because you think I have something of hers?"
He stroked his lips with the side of his finger. I hadn't forgotten that this man had been in love with Lady Harcourt before she became his stepmother, when she'd been a dancer at The Alhambra. Was that what this visit was about? His attempt to find out if Lincoln and I were in fact engaged and Buchanan was safe to pursue a dalliance with her again? That family's affairs were dirtier than a pigsty.
"I expected her to come to your fiancé for help, as it happens," he said.
"Is she in trouble?"
"She's troubled, if that's what you mean, and I've noticed that she likes to involve your fiancé in her little problems whenever possible."
"Go on," I said tightly. He clearly wanted to tattle. I was beginning to think he hadn't changed much at all.
"Someone is blackmailing her about her past."
"As a dancer?"
He nodded. "She received a letter threatening to reveal her secret."
"That's awful," I said, with utmost sincerity. Lady Harcourt had tried so hard to pull herself free from her middle class roots, and it certainly appeared as if she'd succeeded. But it had become clear to me when I visited The Alhambra that some resentment still existed from other dancers who'd not been so fortunate or ruthless. "And she has no notion of who might have penned the letter?"
"None, so she tells me, although I'm not entirely convinced. She refused to show me the letter itself."
"Then how can you be certain of the threat?"
"Because of her anxiety. Nothing but a threat of that nature would cause so much fear on her part. She's deeply worried about her past coming out in the gossip columns, you see."
"And you're worried about her becoming too anxious."
"I am."
"That's very sweet of you, Mr. Buchanan. I'm sure she appreciates the concern. Everybody needs someone trustworthy to lean on in difficult times."
His mouth twitched to the side. "Indeed."
"I'm surprised that she would even bother Mr. Fitzroy with it if you're there to help her."
