Page 62 of Grave Expectations
"Tell me, Charlie, why do you think I would help Mrs. Drinkwater abduct you?"
It was a question that had puzzled me ever since I concluded that someone had assisted her. Who had the most to gain? In Marchbank's case, I could only think of one reason. "You want me gone from here. Having me abducted shows Lincoln that I'm vulnerable and a target for those who want to use my necromancy."
"True, but your prior abduction proved that. Another wasn't necessary. All this one achieved was to draw Fitzroy's ire. If you hadn't returned, he would still be looking for you and he wouldn't have given up until he found you, dead or alive."
I swallowed.
"There's no point removing you from Lichfield if it only serves to keep him busyawayfrom ministry business. I want him focused on his work, Charlie, not distracted from it."
If what he said was true—and I'd not yet thought it through enough to make that decision—then that meant no one from the committee had helped Mrs. Drinkwater. They all wanted the same thing—Lincoln's attention on the ministry, not me.
Or did they? Had my abduction served some other purpose for the committee that I'd not yet fathomed?
"I suppose that leads nicely to the reason for your visit," I said. "Me distracting Lincoln, and you wanting me gone, one way or another."
He stroked the white scar slicing through his short gray beard. "You're very forward."
"Being demure is not in my nature. I'm sorry if that offends you, but I am what I am."
"Many people would be offended. I'm not one of them."
I gave a nod of appreciation. Neither of us spoke as Doyle entered with the tea. We waited as he served and watched as he left, shutting the door behind him.
I picked up my teacup. "In the spirit of being forward, sir, I think it's time you told me why you're here. I doubt it's to check on my health."
"You're wrong there. Or partly, at least. I did want to ask how you are. You may not believe this, but I like you, Charlie. You're spirited, clever, and have a quality about you that other girls your age lack. If you were my daughter, I would be proud."
His unexpected praise made me blush and, to my horror, turned my vision misty. I studied my tea until the moment passed. It wouldn't do to lower my guard around this man. "If you like me, why are you here to convince me to leave?"
He set down his teacup without taking a sip. "I thought it might be better to talk to you without the other committee members present. They tend to bring a certain amount of unnecessary drama to a discussion of this nature, and I think you're someone who appreciates reason and logic."
"Thank you," I said, once again surprised. Was that part of his plan—stun me with his kindness and trick me into agreeing to something while my guard was down? "Don't waste your breath, my lord. I'm not leaving."
"Hear me out."
I stood. "No."
He picked up his teacup and sipped slowly. Several moments ticked by. With a sigh, I sat again. I could storm out and leave him alone, but I wouldn't put it past him to remain all day and night.
"There is a school up north, near my country seat in Yorkshire."
I spluttered a humorless laugh. "I'm too old for school."
"It's not a regular kind of school. It's more of a finishing school for young ladies."
"I'm not a lady, and I don't need finishing." Whatever that was.
"You could pass as a lady if you were finished properly—as long as your past was kept quiet. Being finished will help you after your school year ends."
"It's nice of you to consider my long-term future," I said with sickly sweetness. "And here I assumed you wanted me to stay at the school until the end of my days."
"Not unless you choose to stay on as a teacher. But I think you could do something else, if you wanted to. Something more."
"More?"
"After your lady's education is complete, I thought you might like to leave for the continent."
"The continent!"
