Page 76 of Grave Expectations
Seth helped me down and we didn't speak as he gripped my elbow and steered me inside. Doyle removed my coat, pinching it between thumb and finger. It was filthy. I plucked off my gloves, only to see that the tips were worn through and the palms scratched up from when I searched for Holloway's body beneath the bricks.
"Throw them out," I said to Doyle. "They're ruined."
"Of course, miss. And I'll see to your coat. Er…" He glanced at my head. "Your hat?"
I touched my hair. It no longer seemed to be contained by pins and tumbled to my shoulders. "I must have lost it." It had probably burned by now, along with Holloway.
Seth directed me to the sofa in the parlor. "Sit. Rest."
"I'm all right."
"You don't look it. Are you sure you're not hurt?"
"I'm sure. Just a little shaken and very dirty." My dress was mostly clean, thanks to being covered by the long coat, but the hem was filthy and when I wiped my face, my hand came away black.
"Lincoln isn't back?" I asked.
"No, but he sent you a message to say that he would be home before nightfall."
"That's considerate of him." I wished he were home, although I was rather glad that he wouldn't see me in such a state. I needed to wash up before nightfall and think of the best way to tell him of my…adventure.
Seth added more coal to the fire then came to sit beside me. He dragged his hand through his hair and slouched back into the sofa, regarding me. He looked unhappy.
"Areyouall right?" I asked him.
"I'm just glad you're back. We all are. To say we were worried is putting it mildly. We didn't know if you'd left of your own accord or been taken."
"Holloway waited until you and Gus were out of sight then forced me to drive off."
"Gus should have stayed with you."
"It's not his fault."
He grunted. "Why did you wait so long to escape? Why not do it then and there?"
"He had a gun."
"You had the imp."
"I didn't want to use it until I had answers. Besides, I've discovered that it only saves me when my life is in direct danger. It wouldn't attack Holloway while he held the gun or threatened me, but based on previous experience, would stop the bullet if he fired." I fished the pendant out of my pocket. The tiny creature in the amber slept soundly, exhausted after its ordeal. "It saved me from the fire."
"Did Holloway start it?"
"I did. It was an accident. I didn't know the powder in the sacks was explosive."
"Bloody hell, Charlie." He stroked the amber in my palm.
"I know."
Doyle came in carrying a tray with a jug of water and a cup. He poured and handed me the cup. "Your throat will appreciate it."
He was right. I drank the contents in a single gulp. "Thank you, Doyle. All these happenings must seem odd to you."
"I've seen many odd things in my time." He eyed Seth sideways.
I was grateful for his professional manner. Despite his calm exterior, recent events must have rattled him too, but I wasn't ready to tell him everything. It would be necessary to do so soon, however.
"Doyle, if you would be so kind as to run me a bath," I said.
