Grave Expectations (The Ministry of Curiosities Book 4) (15 page)

Holloway shouted obscenities over the roar of the fire that now engulfed all the barrels and crates and danced along the beams above. "The powder is explosive!" he shouted. "We're both going to die, you stupid girl!"

Something pulled at my sleeve and for a moment I thought it was Holloway, but it was the imp, urging me to get out.

I glanced toward the kiln, only to see that one side of it had collapsed, the bricks strewn around the base. The chimney bowed, in danger of falling. I scrambled further away from it, drawing the imp with me.

Yet another explosion shook the factory. I pulled the imp against my chest, protecting it, momentarily forgetting it was supposed to protect me. I glanced up just in time to see the chimney shudder then crumple in on itself. Dust mushroomed up to the ceiling and blocked out light from the windows and flames. The almighty crash drowned out the roar of the fire, but only for a moment.

The imp and I huddled on the floor. No sound came from the other side of the chimney rubble, only the roar of the fire. It had taken hold of most of the warehouse now, filling it with black billowing smoke that smelled bitter and stung my eyes. That powder had been noxious as well as flammable.

Someone shouted from the doorway: "Anyone inside?"

Holloway didn't answer.

I opened my mouth to shout back but only managed a splutter. Smoke clogged my throat and chest. I coughed and coughed until my body hurt. I tried to breathe, but the hot, smoky air only made me cough harder.

The imp's claw grasped my collar and lifted it over my nose and mouth. I gasped in a breath. It wasn't pure air but it was enough, for now.

The imp tugged my sleeve again, trying to pull me toward the door. I pocketed the pendant and headed the other way. On hands and knees, I crawled around the pile of bricks that had formed the chimney. I couldn't see anyone through the smoky haze.

I searched the rubble, pushing aside debris. Another coughing fit overtook me, but I didn't stop. The imp kept tugging and tugging, whimpering like a puppy. But I couldn't leave yet. I had to know.

I tossed bricks aside, revealing a booted foot and a trouser leg. The rest of him was buried beneath the rubble. I shook his foot, but there was no response.

"Holloway!" The word felt like a shard of glass in my throat, and was barely audible. I shook his foot again.

He didn't respond. Didn't move. He was gone.

The imp pulled harder on my sleeve. Then its head jerked back suddenly, as if it had heard a noise on the roof. I glanced up, just in time to see the flames eat through one of the rafters. With an agonised groan, the massive black beam fell straight for me.

I
dived to the side
, covering my face, but I knew it wouldn't be fast enough or far enough to save myself from the falling timber.

Yet the wooden beam didn't hit me. I looked up to see it land harmlessly on the pile of bricks a few feet away. The imp, now the size of a horse, stood on its hind legs. I hardly had time to consider what had happened when a creak and another monstrous groan from above signaled the imminent collapse of the ceiling. I scrambled to my feet. The imp grabbed my hand and pulled me after it. It was strong, and I couldn't have resisted even if I'd wanted to.

More beams fell. Roof tiles crashed onto the rubble. I ducked whenever a beam came close, but it wasn't necessary. The imp batted them away as if they were merely twigs, flinging them around the room. Without it, I would have been crushed.

It hauled me toward the open door. I stumbled through, coughing uncontrollably, and barreled into a man.

"Steady, miss. Blimey! Didn't know anyone was in there."

Hissing. I could hear steam hissing over the crack and growl of the fire. Shouting too. Everyone seemed to be shouting at me. Through my damp, stinging eyes I could make out a lot of men running about. Where had they all come from? I tried to speak to them, but my throat felt like it was on fire. Breathing hurt, too. I couldn't get enough air into my lungs. And that infernal hissing! It wouldn't stop. When my eyes cleared a little, I could see that it belonged to the brass pump on the fire engine. The people were firemen and they were dragging a large hose up to the burning factory.

Windows popped. Glass shattered. Someone pushed me down and out of the way. When I looked up again, smoke spewed from the broken windows, and the firemen were trying to put out the flames licking the frames.

"Anyone else in there?" the man who'd caught me asked.

I shook my head. "Dead," I managed.

He patted my shoulder. "Least you got out alive, eh? You and your…cat. Lucky. Very lucky. Whole place is about to fall."

Something tickled my cheek. I wiped it and my sleeve came away damp. My tears surprised me. I'd not thought I would shed them for Holloway. Perhaps it was only the smoke making my eyes water.

More men arrived, running past me. Local factory hands perhaps, come to help the firemen to stop the fire spreading. There was no sign of my horse or coach.

The imp, however, sat on its haunches at my side, panting, its tongue out. Nobody paid it any notice. "Come," I said.

No one tried to stop me as I headed away from the fire. They were all too busy. My chest still felt as if something were crushing it, but I managed to reach the end of the lane before another coughing fit overtook me.

I placed my hand to the wall to regain my strength and my breath. The imp watched, waiting. It mewled once then lay down, its chin on its paws. The poor thing must be tired after repeatedly saving me.

I glanced around, but nobody was near. "Back into your amber, imp. Go to sleep now. Return."

I shut my sore eyes against the blinding light. When I opened them again, the imp was gone. I checked my pocket. The pendant was still there, thank God. It felt warm.

I stumbled out of the lane and around the corner. I wanted to get away before someone stopped me and asked questions. I just wanted to go home.

I began to walk. Without a reticule, I couldn't pay for a hansom back to Lichfield. Then I saw the coach, and the horse still with it, tied to a bollard. Someone must have led it away from the fire. I couldn't believe my good fortune.

I gathered up the reins and, with effort, climbed up to the driver's seat. Unsure exactly where I was, or how to get to Highgate, I returned the way we'd come, back into the city until I recognized a familiar street. From there, it didn't take long before I reached the gates of Lichfield Towers.

Home.

I couldn't wait to get inside and collapse on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate and Lincoln's arms embracing me.

The horse knew its way to the stables and coach house, so I didn't have to do anything except hold the reins. I was still some distance down the drive, however, when the front door burst open and Gus, Seth and Cook hurtled out. Doyle brought up the rear.

"Bloody hell," Gus growled, snatching the bridle. His prominent brow crashed together. "What'd you take off for?"

"Holloway forced me," I rasped.

"Holloway?" He looked to Seth, but Seth was watching me with a frown. "Where'd he take you?"

"To a factory on the edge of the city. It was set alight and I escaped."

"That be why you're covered in ash and soot," Cook said, hands on hips. "We be worried about you."

"Aye," Gus muttered. "Very. You're a sight for sore eyes, let me tell you. Where's Holloway now?"

"Dead."

Seth expelled a breath. "Are you all right?"

I nodded. I felt numb now that the danger had passed. Perhaps later, when I thought about it during a quiet moment, I would feel something. But not yet.

"That's that, then." Gus patted the horse's nose. "Go inside, Charlie. I'll see to the coach and horse."

"And I'll make you something warm." Cook headed back into the house, and Doyle followed him like an automaton. I don't think he'd blinked once as he'd stared at me through wide eyes. I must be a sorry sight.

"Hot chocolate," I called after Cook, although I was not sure if he heard. My roughened voice held little strength.

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.

"Are
you
all 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.

He left as Cook arrived with a cup of chocolate and Gus not much later. "Horse is jittery," he said. "You did well to control him."

The three men stood or sat around me, not speaking. It was as if they were waiting for something, but I didn't know what. Tears? Hysterics? They ought to know me better than that. I gave them a fuller account of what had happened, merely to break the silence. They listened without interrupting.

"I hope the fire doesn't spread to the other factories," I finished.

"I'm sure the firemen will have it under control by now." Seth glanced at Gus.

Gus cleared his throat and folded his arms. He didn't meet my gaze.

"What is it?" I asked. "What's happened?"

"We found Mrs. Drinkwater."

"Bloody hell! Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"We wanted you to recover first."

"I am recovered."

"You ain't," Cook said. "You be shaky and filthy."

Seth and Gus nodded in agreement.

I rounded on Seth. "Where is Mrs. Drinkwater now?"

"The tower room."

"You locked her in?"

"Of course. We don't want her to escape."

"She's afraid of Fitzroy," Gus said. "Hardly blame her for that, but we can't let her go until he speaks to her."

"I'll speak with her first." I stood and marched to the door.

They didn't try to stop me as I suspected they would, but they did follow me. "What has she said to you so far?"

"Nothing," Seth said. "She says she'll speak only to you."

"Is that so?"

"She's afraid of us too."

"Can't think why," Gus chimed in. "We're the nice ones."

"You look frightening," Seth told him.

"Do not! Charlie, do I frighten you?"

"Not at all." I didn't tell him that his scars and craggy face had given me nightmares when I first met him.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk to her
after
your bath?" Seth asked.

"I don't want to waste another moment. I think it's best that I talk to her before Lincoln, in case she closes up when he confronts her. If he's still furious about the kidnapping, he might scare her into silence."

"Precisely what we were thinking," Seth said.

He pulled the key out of his pocket when we reached the top of the tower, the highest level in the house. He unlocked the door and went in first.

"Charlie's back," he announced.

"So I saw," said Mrs. Drinkwater, sitting on a chair by the window. The room was cold, the fire had gone out.

I asked Seth to re-light it. Mrs. Drinkwater took in my disheveled appearance before smoothing her hands over her lap.

"I hope my men didn't harm you," I said.

She rubbed her right wrist. "They weren't particularly gentle."

"Please accept our apologies," Seth said from the fireplace.

Gus snorted. "I ain't apologizin'. She deserved that, and more, for what she did to Charlie and me."

"You were unharmed," Mrs. Drinkwater protested.

"You shot me!"

"I minor wound. If I'd wanted to hurt you, I could have."

"We were locked in your cellar!" he went on.

"And now I'm locked in here. Shall we call it even?"

He grunted again. "
We
were tied up."

I interrupted before he could suggest someone fetch rope. "Mrs. Drinkwater, I'm sorry for keeping you here, but you must understand, we need answers and we can't risk your escape."

She glanced past me to the door. Gus closed it and stood in front of it, arms crossed.

"And after I give you answers? What will you do with me then?"

"Set you free. We have no reason to detain you indefinitely. Or harm you," I added in case she wasn't sure.

"Does Mr. Fitzroy agree?"

"He's not here. He's out looking for you, as it happens. But I'm sure he'll see there's no sense in keeping you here. He only wants answers too."

"Not revenge?"

"You have my word that he won't harm you, Mrs. Drinkwater. He's not a cruel man, merely…upset at what happened. He has calmed down somewhat."

She twisted her hands together in her lap but it didn't hide their trembling. "I must congratulate you on connecting me to The Alhambra. How did you know?"

"Your sister was forthcoming with the information once she realized your life may be in danger if you weren't warned."

She shot to her feet. "Danger! From someone other than Mr. Fitzroy?"

I refrained from rolling my eyes and telling her
again
that she was in no danger from Lincoln. "We think the person who helped you may want to…silence you."

She plopped down onto the chair, her hand to her chest. "No, I don't believe she would. She had ample opportunity after I approached her that first time."

"Do you mean Lady Harcourt?" Seth asked, coming to stand beside me.

She nodded.

"You've known her a long time," I said. "From the days you danced together."

"My sister told you that too? I'm sure she took delight in imparting the details."

Seth sat on the edge of the bed with a heavy sigh. "Damn, damn and hell."

I felt a little sorry for him at hearing the confirmation of Lady Harcourt's guilt, but not too much. He'd had blinkers on where she was concerned, and it was past time they came off. "You said
you
approached
her
," I prompted Mrs. Drinkwater. "Do you mean to say that the abduction wasn't her idea?"

"It was mine. I wanted my husband back…" She touched her nose and her eyes misted. "I wanted Reggie back, and I knew she was familiar with the occult. I asked her to assist me."