Titles
Below Stairs Mysteries
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THESECRET OF BOW LANE
SPECULATIONS IN SIN
The Mackenzies Series
THEMADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE
LADYISABELLA’S SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE
THEMANYSINS OF LORD CAMERON
THEDUKE’S PERFECT WIFE
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THESINFULWAYS OF JAMIEMACKENZIE
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Names:Ashley,Jennifer,author
Title:Speculationsinsin/JenniferAshley.
Description:Firstedition |NewYork:BerkleyPrimeCrime,2024 |Series:Belowstairsmysteries;7 Identifiers:LCCN2023037758(print)|LCCN2023037759(ebook)|ISBN9780593549919(tradepaperback)|ISBN9780593549926(ebook)
Subjects:LCGFT:Detectiveandmysteryfiction |Novels Classification:LCCPS3601S547S642024(print)|LCCPS3601S547(ebook)|DDC813/6 dc23/eng/20230829
LCrecordavailableathttps://lccn.loc.gov/2023037758
LCebookrecordavailableathttps://lccnlocgov/2023037759
FirstEdition:March2024
CoverphotographbyLarryRostant CoverdesignbyEmilyOsborne BookdesignbyLauraK Corless,adaptedforebookbyEstelleMalmed
Thisisaworkoffiction Names,characters,places,andincidentseitheraretheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactual persons,livingordead,businessestablishments,events,orlocalesisentirelycoincidental ep prh 6.3 146383322 c0 r0
Cover Praise for the Below Stairs Mysteries
Titles by Jennifer Ashley
I would like to dedicate this novel to my mother, who passed away as I was writing its first chapters When I was ten, she gifted me a hardback copy of the Writer’sMarketand never ceased believing that I’d one day become a published author. She was proud of me to her last day.
January 1883
Iwas finishinga pleasant visit onmydayout withJoanna Millburn, the friend of myyouthful days who looked after my daughter,whenIdetectedthatsomethingwasverywrong.
ThewindowsofJoanna’scozysittingroomwerealreadydark,theblusterywinterdayatanend Thetimewasnearing whenImustreluctantlytakemyleaveandreturntoMountStreet,whereIwasacookinafineMayfairhousehold.
Settingdownmyteacup,IsentGracefromtheparlorwiththeexcusethatIwantedarecipeforteacakesfromJoanna’s hardworkingcook Graceeagerlydashedaway,closingthedoorbehindher,asshe’dbeentaught,tokeepoutdrafts
Oncewewerealone thefourMillburnchildrenwereintheirfather’sstudy,attendingtotheirbooks Iturnedasevere eyeonJoanna.“Tellmequickly,beforeGracereturns.Whatistroublingyou?”
Joannastartedsoforcefullythatthedregsofherteasplashedfromthecup Shewipedthedropletsfromherwristwith agitatedfingers.
“Whateverdoyoumean?”Shetriedvaliantlytosoundsurprised,buthervoicetrembled.
“Mydear,Ihavebeenyourfriendsinceweweretykesinpigtails Iknowwhensomethingisthematter Youhadbetter tellmeatonce Gracewillonlybeamoment”
Joannacontinuedtostareatmeas thoughshecouldnotimaginewhyIthoughtall was notwell inher idyllicworld.I continuedwithmypersistentgaze,untilatlonglast,shewilted.
“Kat, I don’t know what I amto do” Joanna set downher cup and balled her hands inher lap “Samuel’s firmhas threatenedtosackhim.Weekeoutalivingasitis ifhelosesthispost,we’llbedestitute.”
Myowncupclatteredtoitssaucer.“Oh,darling,no.”Ireachedforhertighthandsandclaspedthemhard.
Suchasituationwouldbedire SamandJoannahadfourchildrenoftheirown Theoldest,Matthew,wasabrightboy, andthey’dhopedtofindatutorforhimsothathemighthaveachancetoattenduniversityinafewyears.Theyalsohadtopay the rentonthis modesthome ina lane offCheapside,anarea somuchbetter thanthe rookeries they’dlikelyinhabitwithout Sam’sclerk’sjobataprivateinternationalbank
TherewasanotherobviousconsequenceofSamoutofajob,oneIknew Joannadidnotwanttovoice WithoutSam’s income,theywouldnolongerbeabletotakecareofGrace.
IsentJoannaasmuchmoneyasIcouldforherupkeep,buttheMillburnspaidquiteabitoutoftheirownpocket.Five childrentofeedtookaheftytoll,andifSamwasdismissed,gonewouldbethehopesforMatthew’seducation Iwouldhaveto easetheirburdenandhouseGraceelsewhere,butatthismoment,Ihadnoideawherethatwouldbe.
“Whywouldtheysackhim?”Idemanded.“IshouldthinkSamuelMillburnisamodelclerk.”
“Theyhaveaccusedhimofembezzlingfunds”TearsfilmedJoanna’seyes “Theyhaven’tstatedthisoutrightasyet,but the hints are there. Theyare tryingto shame himinto confessingor leavingonhis own. ButSamhas done nothingwrong. I knowit.”
Iknewittoo SamuelMillburnwouldnomoreembezzlethanhewouldgrowwingsandfly I’dknownSamsincehe’d come to woo Joanna fifteenyears ago, whenshe’d still beenlivinginBow Lane nextdoor to me and mymum. He’d fallen
madlyinlovewithheranddevotedhimselftoher,andnothingmuchhadchangedsince.I’dbeenabridesmaidattheirwedding inBowBellschurch,sohappyformyfriendandyetlonelyforlosingher.
ButI’dneverfoundanythingobjectionableinSam.Throughtheyears,he’dprovedtobeagoodfriendtomeaswell.In hisprofessionallife,hewasrespectable,punctual,capable,anddogged,allthequalitiesanyemployerwouldwish IreadstarkfearinJoanna’seyes.Shelovedherhusband,believedinhim,butIsawherflashofdoubt,andthemisery thatengendered.
“Joanna,Iwill tell yourightnow thatthis is absurd,” Isaidfirmly “Samuel wouldnever dosucha dishonestdeed I knowit,andsodoyou.”
“Hehasbeenworkingsohard,andwithsolittleacknowledgment.”Thewordswerefaint,onesJoannamusthavebeen repeatingtoherself,afraidtostatethemoutloud
“Iassureyou,itisnonsense.IfSamwereannoyed,he’dsimplytakethingsupwithhisheadclerk.Itwouldneveroccur tohimtosneakmoneyfromhisaccounts.Therearefewhonestmenintheworld,butSamMillburnisoneofthem.”
“Ibelievehim.”Joannasentmethelookofsomeonebeggingtohavetheirfearsprovedwrong.“Iamhiswife.Ofcourse Ido”
“Ithasnothingtodowithbeinghiswife,”Isaidsternly.“Whetherheismarriedtoyouornot,hewouldneverstealfrom hisemployer.”
Joannaslidherhandsfrommineandrestedthemonherbrownwoolskirt “Youareright,Kat Iknowyouare Butthat nigglingvoiceinsidemeasks:WhatifIamwrong?”
“Youarenot.Samuelwouldneverembezzle,andwebothknowit.”
“Butwhatarewetodo?”Joanna’squestionhelddespair Whatindeed?Iunfortunatelyhadwitnessedsuchsituationsatimeor twoinmylife.Animportantpersoncommitteda crime,andtheblamewasshovedoffontosomeonedeemednotsoimportant.Theinsignificantman orwoman wasarrested and made to pay, thus preserving the reputations of the lofty The scapegoat was inconsequential except to his wife and childrenwhowouldbedestituteandsharehisshameandruin
IcouldnotletthathappentoJoannaandhersonsanddaughters.
“I will look into it,” I said with assurance. “Never worry, dear Joanna. I will find out who has truly done the embezzlementandclearSam’sname”
DidJoannaclaspherhands,gazeatmeinadoration,andthankmeprofusely?No,indeed.Herfacefixedintiredlines, fearexhaustingher.
“How can you, Kat? I know you have helped the police before, but these are men of the City Wealthy men, from prominentfamilies.Theyhavepower,influence,andalongreach.TheycarenothingforthelikesofSamMillburn.”Thetears inherbrowneyesspilledtohercheeks.
Ileanedtoherandrestedmyhandonherknee “Icannottelllordsanddukeswhattodo,no ButIknowpeoplewhocan honestmenandwomenwhohaveinfluence Ipromiseyou,myfriend,IwillleavenostoneunturneduntilIprovethatSamis innocent.”
Again,Joannadidnothugmetoherbosomandweepwithrelief.Isawaflickerofhopeinhereyes,butitwasquickly suppressed
“Itiskindofyou,Kat.”
IheldupmyhandbeforeshecouldtrytotellmewhyIshouldn’tbother.“Youleaveittome.Iwillbediscreet donot worry”
Joannaopenedhermouthtoarguefurther,butthedoorswungopen,andGracedancedinside,afoldedpaperinherhand. Joannaliftedherteacupagain,whileItooktherecipefromGraceandpraisedherforwritingitoutsoneatly.
ThetimehadcomewhenImustleavemydaughterfortherealityofmydrudgery Ipushedthethoughtasideandhugged Grace,memorizingthefeelingofmydaughterinmyarms.ThatmemorywouldhavetosustainmeuntilIcouldvisitagain.
Itried to give Joanna a reassuringsmile as Ideparted, butIlefta womandejected. Grace beganto tell Joanna ofthe sightssheandIhadseenonourwalktoday,andJoannatriedtobrighten.She’dneverlethertroublesupsetthechildren.
Istepped outofthe house into the cold winter air, the lane thatled to Cheapside alreadydark Iadjusted myhatand trudgedtowardthemainstreet,insearchofanomnibustotakemebacktoMayfair.
The lackoflight went withmymood. Ihad vowed to make everythingright for Joanna, but she spoke the truth. The powerful andwealthywouldthrow Samtothewolvestosavethemselves,andI,awomanandadomesticservant,hadeven
lessinfluenceintheworldthanSamdid
I pondered the problemas the crowded omnibus bumped across the Holborn Viaduct and along to Oxford Street. I descendedatDukeStreettocontinueonfootsouththroughGrosvenorSquaretoSouthAudleyStreetandsotoMountStreet.A hansomcouldtakemehomefaster,butMrs Bywater,themistressofthehouse,wouldhavemuchtosayaboutacookwhogot aboveherselfbeingdroppedoffinahansomatherdoorstep.
AsIwalkedthroughthecold,flakesofsnowsettlingonmycoat,IconfessedtomyselfthatIhadlittleideahowtobegin onJoanna’stroubles
ThefewmenIcountedasmyfriendsconcernedthemselveswithscienceorpolicematters,notfinance
Mr.Bywater,nominallytheheadofthehouseholdthatemployedme,workedintheCity,butIhadnoideawhathedid. I’dneverbeenmuchinterestedinhisdaybesidesknowingwhathelikedonhisdinnertablebythetimehereturnedhome.
I could not openly seek Mr Bywater’s help, because I’d have to explain who Joanna was Such information might inadvertentlyrevealthatIhadadaughter afatherlessone,atthat whomIwassupportinginsecret.
Nothingfor it,butIwouldhave toturntothe onepersonIdidnotwanttobeobligatedto,for reasons Ididnotquite understand. Daniel McAdamhad beennothingbutgood to me, butIsupposed Ifeared to be under the power ofa manever again Grace’sfatherhadensnaredme,liedtome,andthenleftmedestitute I’dbelievedmyselfmarriedtohim,butthathad turnedouttobefalse.
Danielwouldneverdosuchthingstome,Iunderstood.Hewouldhelp,forGrace’ssake,ifnothingelse.He’dbecome quitefondofGrace,andGraceofhim
ForJoanna,Idecided,I’dseekDaniel’said.Danielwasfamiliarwithallsortsofcrimes,frombrutalmurdertoclever fraudtoforgeriestotreason.Iwouldn’tbesurprisedifhealreadyknew,orknewsomethingabout,allpartiesinvolvedinthe embezzlementatSam’sbank
I’dreachedMountStreetbythetimeIfinishedmymusinganddescendedtheoutsidestairstothewarmthofthehouse.I hadtopassthroughthescullery,andgreetedElsie,thescullerymaid,whowaselbowdeepinwater,scrubbingpots.
“Didyehaveanicedayout,Mrs Holloway?”sheaskedovertheclankinginthesink
“Itwasquitepleasant,thankyou,Elsie,”IrepliedabsentlyasImovedpasthertohangupmycoat Iunpinnedmyhatbut wouldcarrythatupstairstoputawaysafelywhenIchangedmyclothes.“Isallwellhere?”
“Thinkso.Mr.Davishasgoneoutandnotcomeback,andisn’tMrs.Redfernannoyedaboutthat?”
This informationpenetrated the haze ofmythoughts Mr Davis, our butler, rarelytooka dayout Thathe’d chosento departonaThursday,whicheveryoneknewwasmyfulldayoff,wascurious.
“I’mcertainhewillreturnintimeforsupper.”Icontinuedintothekitchen,whereTess,myassistant,bentoverthework table,slicingpotatoeslikeamadthing “Goodafternoon,Tess”
Tess ceased bangingher knife and glanced up atme withouther usuallycheeryexpression. “I’mthatglad to see you, Mrs.H.Mrs.Redfernisinarightstate.”
Fromtheloudnessofthisproclamation,IgatheredthatMrs Redfern,thehousekeeper,mustbeabovestairswhereshe couldnothearus
“I’mcertaineverythingwillbewell,Tess.Docarryon.”
Tess’s knife beganthumpingawayagain,somuchsothatIfearedfor the conditionofthe potatoes.Tellingmyselfthat Tesshadthingsinhand,Islippedoutandalongtheslate-tiledcorridortothebackstairs
Thedoortothebutler’spantrywasshut,andnolightflickeredunderthecrackbeneathit.Onimpulse,Itriedthehandle, butthedoorwaslocked.
Ireasoned,asImountedthestairs,thatMr Davis’saffairswhenhewasnotinthehousewerehisown Hisoutingmust have beenimportant, and Ihad no doubthe’d soonreturn. He’d never letthe footmenattend supper withouthis eagle-eyed supervision,especiallywhenMr.andMrs.Bywaterhadguests,astheydidthisevening.
Upstairs,Iswiftlychangedintomygrayworkdress Ishookoutandbrushedmygoodbrownfrock,beforehangingitin thewardrobe.Thehatwentintoitsboxonthewardrobe’stop.
I’d been able to acquire a few more pieces of furniture for my small room: a bureau that held my washbasin and undergarments,andthiswardrobe.Ididn’thavemanygowns twobesidesmyworkfrocks butLadyCynthia,theBywaters’ niece,hadinsistedMrs Bywaterputsomecast-offpiecesoffurnitureinmyroom Mrs Bywater,whodidn’twantthebother ofhiringsomeonetolugtheunusedfurnitureaway,allowedCynthiathisindulgence.
I’ddoneperfectlywellwithoutallthesefurnishings,butCynthiawastryingtobekind.Iadmitteditwasnicetohavea placetokeepmybestandsecond-bestgownsfreeofdust
AfterwashingthesootofLondon’scoalsmokefrommyfaceandhands,Idescendedtothekitchenagain Ineededtopay attentiontothemeal,IdecidedasIbegantohelpTesschopvegetablesatthetable we’dhavetenatdinnertonight butmy mindstrayedbacktoJoannaandhertroubles.
PoorSam HeworkedhardtoprovideforJoannaandhisfourchildren,anduncomplaininglyhadtakeninmydaughter whenI’dturnedupontheirdoorstepwithhernearlythirteenyearsago.I’dbeenawretchedandterrifiedwoman,sobbingin theirparlor,mybabeinmyarms.Grace,alwayssensitivetoatmosphere,hadbeencryingaswell.
Joanna,mydearestfriendsincewe’dbeentinygirls,hadpulledmeintoherembraceandpromisedshe’ddoanythingin theworldformeandGrace.SamhadsatdownwithusandassuredmethatwecoulddeviseawaytokeepGracesafewhileI soughtapositioninakitchen.
Theircompassionbroughttearstomyeyesnow,blurringtheleeksIwasslicingforasoupàlajulienne
“Mrs.H.?”Tess’svoiceshookmefrommythoughts.“Howmanyslicesofthesepotatoesdoyewant?I’vedoneabouta thousand,Ithink.”
Sheexaggerated,butshedidhaveaheapingpileofcreamywhitepotatoesonthecuttingboard.
Ibroughtmyselfbacktothepresent Ineededtocook,notwoolgather
“That should be sufficient,” I said, trying to be my usual brisk self. “Now, I see you have some water simmering. Excellent.” Ihad instructed her thata potofhotwater mustalways be available onthe stove, as ittooktoo longto heatthe watereverytimeonewishedtocookavegetable “Wewillboilthoseandthenputtheminapanwithbutter,parsley,andabit ofleftoverveloutésauce.Thenwe’llheatthatintheoven,seasonwithlemonjuice,andsenditupwiththeroast.”
“Mmm.”Tessclosedhereyes,savoringthedishinhermind.“What’sthatcalled,then?”
“Potatoesàlamaîtred’hôtel,”Iinformedher I’dalsotearupwintergreensforasaladandfinishthemealwithbotha gâteau with orange liqueur sauce and a lemon tart. It was the season for citrus, which both ripened in hothouses and was broughtinbyshipfromtheworldover.
“That’safunnyname,”Tesssaidaboutthepotatoes “What’sitgottodowithahotel?”
Usually,Ihada lecture preparedtoexplainthe originofdishes,buttodayIhadn’tthe fortitude MyworryaboutSam was increasingas the kitchenfilled withthe sounds and scents of our cooking. I could stoutlyproclaimSamwould never dreamofstoopingtotheft,buttheloftymenwhoranhisbankcouldmakehimtaketheblamenomatterwhat.
WhathappenedtoSamifhewasshutupinaprison?WhathappenedtoJoannaandherchildren?ToGrace?
“Youallright,Mrs.H.?”Tessoncemorejerkedmefrommydolefulcontemplation.
“Yes,Iamperfectlyfine,”Isaid.Therewasnouseingivingway.I’dhaveagoodnight’ssleepandmakeastartonthe probleminthemorning
“It’sjustthatyou’vetornthatlettuceintoteenylittlebits.Noonewillbeabletoliftthatonafork,tryastheymight.”
Ilookeddownandsawthatyes,myhandshadshreddedthepiecesofdarkgreenandredlettuceuntiltheywerenearly minced Igatheredthemupanddroppedthemintothebowl ofcarrotsTesshadalreadycutintomatchsticks,followingthose withtheleeksI’dchopped
“I’llputallthisintothesoup.Abitoflettucegivesitbody.Now,ceasegawpingatmeandputthosepotatoeson.They won’tcookthemselves.”
Tess sentme anaggrieved look, nothappybeingadmonished whenshe’d done nothingwrong Itamped downonmy anxiousnessandtriedtogetonwiththemeal.
We made good headway, though I had to fold my lips to keep fromsnapping whenTess dropped a potato slice and spilledthesalt Notherfaultmydearestfriend’sworldwascrumblingandpossiblytakingminewithit
Finally,themealwasfinished,theplattersloadedontothedumbwaiter,whichTesscrankedupwardtothefootmeninthe diningroom. The dishes weren’tmuchdifferentfromwhatI’d do for a familysupper, thoughthere was a larger quantityin each Mrs Bywaterhadinvitedseveralofherfriendsandtheirhusbandstodinetonight LadyCynthiahadbeencoercedinto attending,whichshe’dpromisedtogritherteethandbear.
Just before eight o’clock, when supper was to be served, Mrs. Redfern hastened into the kitchen, her heeled boots clickinginanagitatedfashion.
“Mr Davisstillhasnotreturned,”sheannounced “Thefootmenaremillingaboutindisorderandthewinehasn’tbeen openedordecanted.Themasterisnotbestpleased.Whateverarewetodo,Mrs.Holloway?”
Mrs.Redfern’sdistressgratedonmyalreadyrawnerves.
“Whatonearth can wedo,Mrs.Redfern?”Isnapped.“Doyouwishmetogoabovestairsandservethedishes myself?OpenthewineatthesideboardsoMr Bywaterwon’tbeunhappy?”
Mrs.Redfernstaredatmeinastonishment.Irarelysnarledatheroranyofthestaff,butatthemoment,lackofabutlerin thediningroomwastheleastofmytroubles.
“IfMr Bywaterisupset,hecanhaveallofusdismissed”Mrs Redfern’scrisptonesreturned “Mrs Bywater’srants canbebrushedaside,butMr.Bywaterhasabitmoreauthority.WhenIseeMr.Davis,Iwillshakehimhard.”
IhalfexpectedMr.Davistoglidesmoothlyintothekitchenonherlastwords,inquiringinhismildtonesifshewould trulydosuchathing
Thedoorwayremainedempty,however,Mr Davisnoticeablyabsent
“I apologize, Mrs. Redfern,” I made myself say. Ahousehold in which the staff was at one another’s throats was a miserable one, I well knew. “I have had a trying day, and having to cook a large meal on top of that has made me shorttempered Iwillopenanddecantthewinebeforeit’ssentup Youcanpourthewineandsupervisethefootmen youhavethe necessarydignityforthediningroom.”
“Ishouldhope so.” Mrs.Redfern’s color rose as she strove tocheckher anger.“Verywell,then.Letus praythatMr. Davissetoutthewinefortheevening,sowedon’tblunderandservethewrongsort”
“Ido know somethingaboutwine,” Isaid. “Whatgoes withwhatdish, Imean. Iused a bitofwhathe serves inmy cooking.”
Iwiped offmyhands and moved pasther onthe wayto the butler’s pantry Itried to ignore Elsie and Tess, standing togetherinthescullerydoorway,eyeingMrs Redfernandmeinconsternation
Mrs.Redfernhadthekeystounlockthebutler’spantry.Ididaswell,incaseIneededacertainwinewhenMr.Davis wasn’tavailable,butIletherlead.Sheopenedthepantryandlitthesconcebesidethedoor,itsfaintyellowishglowsoftinthe darkroom
Thankfully,Mr.DavishadsetouttwobottlesofBeaujolaisandoneViognieronthelargetablenearthesilverchest.
I had become skilled at opening bottles and decanting wine. The butler in one house I’d worked for had had the unfortunatetendencytodrinkhalfthebottlesbeforetheyreachedthetable,soI’dtakenoverthetaskofpreparingthewineand placingitonthediningroomsideboard.I’dletthatbutler choosethewines,however.He’dhadexcellenttasteandthorough knowledgeofviticulture probablylearnedbyimbibingeverysortofwineimaginable.
Thewhitewouldbeserveddirectlyfromthebottle,butredsgainedinflavorfrominteractingwiththeair Decantingthe redwinespreventedanysedimentinthebottomofthebottlefromendingupinanunluckydiner’sglass.
UnderMrs.Redfern’swatchfulgaze,IuncorkedtheBeaujolaisandliftedthedecanter.Holdingthedecanterataslight angle,Iletthebloodredwinetrickleintoitfromthebottle.WhenIspiedgritinthebottle’sneck,Iquicklyupendedit,halting theflow
Istopperedthedecanter,placeditandtheunopenedbottleofwhitewineontoatray,andpresentedthewholethingto Mrs.Redfern.
“No,thankyou Iwillmanage”Mrs Redfernallbutsnatchedthetrayfrommeandmarchedaway,herfootstepsloudon theboardstairs.Shenavigatedthedooratthetopwithouthazard,lettingitbangshutbehindher.
IsmotheredasighandreturnedtheBeaujolaisbottlestothetable.Istartedtoexittheroom,thenhaltedandsurveyedit bythesteadylightofthesconce
WhatcluesIthoughtI’dfindtoMr.Davis’swhereabouts,Ididn’tknow.Isawnothingatalltoindicatewherehe’dgone. Hiscoatandhatweremissing,butofcoursehe’dhavetakenthose,astheJanuarydaywasfreezing.
He’dleftthecorkscrewI’dusednearthedecanterandbottles,asthoughhe’dmeanttoreturnsoonandopenthem Two morebottlesrestedonasmalltablenearthedoor,butIdidnotknowwhathe’dintendedthosefor.
NothingintheroomindicatedthatMr.Davishadn’tplannedtobeinthehouseintimeforsupper.
Ileftthebutler’spantry,lockingthedoorbehindme
Inthe kitchenonce more, I continued clearingup the mess fromcookingsupper, and beganpreparations for the next morning.Akitchennevertrulyrested.
InadditiontothewaterIkeptsimmeringonthestove,Ialsohadapotofstockonthewarmingburner.Icouldquickly addthistosoups,useaportiontomakegravy,ortoboilitdownintodemi-glace arichthickenerforsauces
Imovedtothispottogiveitastir,andremainedthere,thespoongoingaroundandaroundwhileIstaredatthewall.
“Everythingallright,Mrs.Holloway?”
Ijumped Tessstoodbehindme,araginher handandconcerninher eyes Her freckledfacewassmudgedwithflour andgrease,herhairstragglingfromunderhercap.TesshadworkedveryhardwhileI’dbeenout.Ioughttobepraisingher,not ignoringher.
“Yes,Iamfine”Ilaiddownthespoon “Youdidwell today,Tess Youwill soonbereadytocookmealsall onyour own.”
Instead offlushinginpleasure, Tess’s eyes rounded, and her face lost color. “Oh, Lord, Mrs. H. Ye ain’t thinkingof leaving,areye?Ican’tdothiswithoutyou,andthat’safact Yecan’tgo Please ”
Hervoicerosethroughthisspeech,endingonanearwail
“Whatever are youtalkingabout?” Iasked inbewilderment. “Ihave no intentionofgoing. What has gotteninto your head?”
Tess’s lower lipquivered “Yesaidyehadatryingday,you’recross withMrs Redfernandme,andyounearlyputa handfulofsaltinthatsoup.WouldhaveifIhadn’tstoppedye.”
True,IhadthoughtI’dreachedforarrowroottogivethesoupalittlethickness,butmyhandhadclosedaroundthesalt bowlinstead
“Yes,IknowI’vebeenabitpensivethisevening…”
“More like notyourselfatall,” Tess contradicted. She tooka step closer, loweringher voice so Elsie inthe scullery wouldnothear “Anythingwrongwithyourlittlegirl?Issheill?”
HerconcernforGracetouchedmyheart,andIsoftened “No,no,nothinglikethat She’swellandbonny No,myfriend Joannahashadabitoftrouble,thatisall.Iamtryingtodecidehowtohelpher.”
PenetratingtheworldofhighfinancewasnothinglikeinvestigatingmissingpaintingsfromthehomeofLadyCynthia’s friendorevenamurderinthishouseornextdoor
Ionlyever wenttothe Citytovisitmydaughter or tofindcomestibles atspecial markets like Smithfieldor the many shopsinCheapside.IrarelyventureddownPoultry,ThreadneedleStreet,or Cornhill,wheretheBankofEngland,theRoyal Exchange,andotherhousesofhighfinancelay Thatwasaclosedterritorytome IturnedovermostofthepayIreceivedto JoannaforGrace’skeepingandkepttheremainderwellhiddeninaboxinmychamber.
“Ifthere’sanythingIcando,yousaytheword,”Tessstated.
Hereagernesstoassistdisarmedme “Thankyou,Tess Thatisgoodofyou IdidnotexaggeratewhenIsaidyoudida finejobtoday.Youhaveatalentforcooking.”
Tessdidflushnowanddroppedmeahabitualcurtsy.“You’rethatkindtome,Mrs.H.”
“Itisn’tkindness itisthetruth.Ceaseallyournoddingandbobbingandgetonwithscrubbingthetable.”
TessgrinnedasIspokeinmymoreusualtones Sheskippedbacktotheworktableandpliedherragwithvigor Ithoughtthatwouldbetheendofit,butasIsortedthroughtheremainsoftoday’smeals,decidingwhattotuckintothe larderforlater,LadyCynthiaappearedinthekitchendoorway.
She’ddressedinafrocktonight,asshe’dattendedsupperwithheruncle’sguests Thisgownwasadarkblue,withan easyswingtoitsstraightskirtandaclose-fittingbutnotoverlytightbodice.Nobustle,nomultitudeoflace,ribbons,andcloth flowers,andnowaistcinchedintoimpossibleproportions.
Cynthia’sartistfriend,MissJudithTownsend,whodressedinasimilarfashion,hadinfluencedCynthiaintohavingthese sorts of dresses made up. Cynthia’s aunt, Mrs. Bywater, expressed dismaythat Cynthia did not bedeckherself inlayers of fabricoveracreakingcage,fearingshe’dneverattractagentlemanwithoutthem.Mrs.Bywaterherselfdressedquiteplainly, butIsupposeshejustifiedthatwiththefactthatshewasalreadymarried Cynthiastrodeintothekitchenwhenshesaw thatonlyTessandIwerethere.Shehaltedinthemiddleoftheflagstone floorandregardedmequizzically.
“Whathashappened,Mrs Holloway?”
“Pardon?”Icontinuedseparatingtheleftoverfood.Thebeeffromtheroastwouldbecomeacoldaspicorbeputaside foraquickbitewithabitofbreadtomorrow.
“YouknowexactlywhatImean.Davisdidnotserveattabletonight,whichmustmeantheSecondComingisimminent. Andwhileyourmealwasgoodasalways,itdidn’thaveyourusualflair”
Iceasedscoopingupleftoverpotatoesandgazedatherindismay.“Didtheguestscomplain?DidMrs.Bywater?Which dishwasoff?”
“None ofthem,” Cynthia answeredwithimpatience “The guests raved,andsaidtheynever ate sowell intheir lives Aunt and Uncle didn’t notice either. But you’ve rather spoiled me, and I can tell the meal wasn’t your best. Which means somethingiswrong.Youhadbettertellmeatonce,sowecansolvetheproblem,andIcanreturntotheonethinginthishouse thatisworthlivingfor yourfood”
Her mixture of flattery and command would amuse me any other time. I shot a look across the passageway to the servants’hall,wherethefootmen,finishingtheirownmeals,hadbecomeloudandunruly.WithoutMr.Davistotamethem,they tooktheopportunitytoshoutatoneanotherandevenpitchhard-crustedrollsacrossthetable Rollsittooktwodaystomake, thewretches
“Icannotspeaktoyouhere ”
“Thehousekeeper’sparlor,then,”Cynthiasaid.“Mrs.Redfernisupstairsstilltendingtheguests,andwewillbeprivate there” She swungoutofthe kitchenand paused atthe servants’hall “Oi, youlot Cease your bellowing, or Auntie will be downheredemandingyoulugthingsaboutforher.”
Thevolumerecededquickly.“Sorry,yourladyship,”oneofthefootmenmuttered.Cynthiamovedondownthehallway, expectingmetojoinher
“Yougoon,Mrs.H.,”Tesssaid.“I’llfinishuphere.”
Iknew Tesswantedverymuchtoknow whattroublesIhadfoundonmydayoutbutbravelysuppressedher curiosity. ShenodoubthopedI’dconfideinherlater
Iwasn’tcertainIwishedtoconfideinanyone,astheproblemwasnotmyown Joannawouldhardlywantitputabout thatherhusbandwassuspectedofembezzlement.Somanypeoplewerequicktobelievewhatwassaidaboutanyonewithout thefirstshredofproof.
Iremovedandrolledupmystainedapron,droppingitonachairbeforeIlefttheroom Myfeetachedwiththewalking I’ddonetodayaswellasmovingaboutthehardstonefloorofthekitchen.
It was a reliefto sinkonto one ofthe soft chairs inthe housekeeper’s parlor. Theywere mismatched castoffs from upstairs butnonethelesscomfortableforit
Cynthia closed the door behind us and sat onthe horsehair Belter chair. “Now then, out withit. Is your daughter all right?”
Hervoicesoftenedasshespoke AswhenTesshadexpressedconcerned,mybarrierscrumbled,andtearswetmyeyes “Graceis well.”Iblinkedquickly.Weepingaboutthis wouldhelpnothing.“ButJoanna Mrs.Millburn mygreatest friend.She ”
“Ohdear.”Cynthialeanedtome,restingasmoothhandonmyknee.“Issheill?”
I shook my head vigorously, realizing I was already making a mess of explaining “She is well in body, as are her husbandandallherchildren.ButpoorSam.He’sbeenaccusedofallsortsandmightlosehispost.”
Thestorycametumblingout.IdidnotknowanymorethanwhatJoannahadtoldme,butIexplainedwhatIunderstood. TellingCynthiawasdifferentfromblurtingoutJoanna’sproblemstoanyrandomperson Cynthiahadlivedwithdeceptionand
tragedyandknewhowtokeephersilence
She listened withsympathy, thensatbackinindignationwhenI’d finished. “Good Lord. Ofcourse the greatmerchant lordshipswillmakeahumbleclerktakealltheblamefortheirdifficulties.Asthoughoneinaminorpositioncoulddestroya loftybank”
I rubbed my sweating palms against my skirts, my agitation pumped high. “It is gracious of you to believe he is innocent.”
“Itisnotgraciousness YouhaveknownMr Millburnformanyyears,andyouareaverygoodjudgeofcharacter Ifyou statethatheisinnocent,thenheis.Thedifficultyisprovingsomeoneelsehasdonethisembezzling,topreserveMr.Millburn’s reputation.Isthatright?”
“Exactly”Mygratitudemademeevenmoreshaky “Joannaismostupset Ipromisedtohelp,butIknownexttonothing aboutbanks.OrevenwhatsortofthingMr.Millburndoesinhisjob.”
“Whichbankisit?”Cynthiaasked.“NottheBankofEngland,isit?”
“No,aninternationalbank.It’scalledDaalman’sBank,whichisamerchantbank,whateverthatis.Theoriginalowners werefromtheNetherlands,Joannaoncetoldme”
“Mmm.I’veheardofit.They’renotabankamanwalksintotowithdrawhiscashforaholidayinBrighton.Daalman’s doesinvestments,speculations,thatsortofthing.It’scalledabankbecauseitdoestakesomedeposits,butittradeswithother banksandfundsmerchantvoyagestoIndiaandotherfar-flungplaces Beenaroundforages”
“Doyouknowmuchaboutthem?”Iaskedhopefully.
“Of course not. Most of these grand establishments of the City won’t let a lady walk into them at least not one unaccompanied byher father, uncle, husband, or some other overbearingmale member ofher household ButUncle Neville probablyknowsallaboutthem.I’llask.”
Myeyeswidenedinalarm.“Please,donotinvolveMr.Bywaterinthis ”
“Idon’tmeanI’lltellhimaboutyourchum’shusband’smisfortunes,”Cynthiainterruptedme “Iwillpretendtotakean interestinbankingand quizhim Uncle Neville likes whenIaskaboutthatsortofthing He actuallydoes believe a woman shouldknowaboutfinance,tokeepfrombeingtakenadvantageof.Auntiebelievesawoman’shusbandshouldbeinchargeof all that,butUncle’s jobhas showedhimthatmanya wife has beendupedbyanunscrupulous or incompetenthusband.” She huffedalaugh “Uncleisnotsomuchforward-thinkingaspractical”
“WhatdoesyouruncledointheCityexactly?”Iasked,mycuriosityswimmingthroughmyworry.
Cynthia crossed one leg over the other, her skirts rippling. “Fromwhat I understand, he coerces ordinarily sensible peopletopartwiththeirmoney,whichhegivestootherswhopromisetopayoutatokeneveryyearforlettingthemuseit That ismydescriptionofastockbroker,anyway.Apparently,Uncleisrathergoodatit.Hereceivesapercentageofthemoneythat goes backandforth,sowhether aninvestmentis goodor bad,he doesn’tlose.Thatis,until everyinvestmentgoes bad,and thennoonetrustshimanymore”
“Ratherariskyoccupation,I’dthink”
“It is, indeed. Whichis whyUncle takes solace inyour excellent meals and the wine mybrother-in-law laid inthat Davispoursintohisglasstheinstanthearriveshome.WhereonearthisDavis,bytheway?”Cynthiaglancedatthedooras thoughshecouldseethroughitandacrossthehalltothebutler’spantry
“ThatIdonotknow.”Myworryabouthimreturned.“HewentoutwhileIwasgonethisafternoon,andnooneseemsto knowwhere.”
“Idohopethemandidnothaveanymishaps,”Cynthiasaid “Mrs Redfernis nearlyinhysterics well,hysterics for Mrs. Redfern. Whichmeans she is more brusque thanusual. I suppose if Davis does not return, we’ll have to summonthe police.”
“Iwouldprefertotryothermeansfirst,”Isaidquickly IhadresourceswhocouldhuntthroughLondonforhimifneed be.IknewMr.DaviswouldneverforgivemeifIaskedthepolicetotrackhimdown.
“Iunderstand.Davisisaveryprivateman.”Cynthiasighedandsatinsilenceamoment.“Tellyouwhatthough.Iwager Thanoswouldknowsomethingaboutthisembezzlementbusiness.Hemightunderstandhowthefundsweretakenandpossibly whodidit He’llprobablyuncoverthewholethingsimplybysittinginhisofficeatthePolytechnicandthinkingitthrough He isageniusatnumbers.”Hernosewrinkledinawrysmile.“Atthesametime,hecanneverremembertohavehislandladydarn hissocks.Shefindsthem,shetellsme,withasmanyholesasSwisscheese.”Shechuckled.
IwonderedifCynthiarealizedthatifsheandMr Thanossomedaywed,she’dbeexpectedtodoallhisdarning
herinnocentamusement,Ithoughtperhapsnot.IthenwonderedifCynthiaknewhowtodarnatall.
“IwouldwelcomeMr.Thanos’sopinion,”Isaid.
“Thenit’ssettled”Cynthiabroughtherhandstogetherinoneclap “Iwill pretendIaminterestedininvestingandask UncleallaboutDaalman’sBank.OnmynextoutingtothePolytechnic,I’llbuttonholeThanosandhavehimlectureme.”
Cynthia now assisted Mr. Thanos inhis positionas tutor atthe Polytechnic inCavendishSquare. She spoke casually aboutit,butIknewshelookedforwardtoherafternoonsthere
“I’dbestbetakingmyselfbackabovestairs,”Cynthiasaid,risingreluctantly.“Don’twantAuntiehuntinghighandlow formeandthenblamingyou.Neverworry,Mrs.H.We’llfindoutthetruth,andyourfriendwillcometonoharm.”
Iknewshewastryingtocheermeup,butIwouldnotshunheroffer “Thankyou,”IsaidsincerelyasIgottomyfeet
“Notatall.Ihavelostcountofthenumberoftimesyouhaveassistedme.Goodnight,Mrs.Holloway.Let’shopeold Davishasn’thadhimselfanaccident.”
Again,hertonewasnonchalant,butMr.Davis’sabsencewasconcerning.
“Iwillsendwordthemomenthearriveshome,”Ipromised Cynthiatookherselfawaythen,squaringhershoulderstoreturntoherauntanduncle’scompany.
I remained in the housekeeper’s parlor, pondering things, until I heard Mrs. Redfern returning. At the sound of her footsteps,Isnatchedoneofmycookerybooksfromtheshelfandpretendedtobeconsultingitwhenshesweptin
“WhenIseeMr.Davisagain,Iwillwringhisneck,”wasMrs.Redfern’sgreetingtome.“Waitingattableis not whatI wasmeanttodo.”
“I’mcertainhehasareason,”Iventured “Ithadbetterbeagoodone.Goodnight,Mrs.Holloway.”
Mrs.Redferndidnotmove,soIinterpretedherfarewelltomeanIshouldleaveherparlor.Ireplacedthecookerybook, badeherhaveagoodevening,andexited
TessglancedatmeinquiringlywhenIreturnedtothekitchen,butIcouldnottellhertheentiretale,astheservants’hall wasstillbusy,andElsieandanothermaidchatteredinthescullery.
“Tess,doyouthinkConstableGreenemightkeepaneyeoutforMr.Davis?”IaskedherasIjoinedheratthetableto mixdoughfortomorrow’sbread “Discreetly?”
CalebGreenewalkedthebeatonMountStreetandnearbyroadsandhadfallenforTess’sgoodnatureandlivelyeyes. TesshadchangedherdayouttoSaturdaybecauseitwasalsoCaleb’sdayoff.
Tessedgedclosertome “DoyoubelieveMr Davisgothimselfmurdered?”sheaskedinadramaticwhisper “Certainlynot.”Myresponsewasswift,butIfeltaqualm.RobberieshappenedinLondon,andMr.Daviswasnotthe sorttotamelyhandoverhismoney.Ruffianscouldmakeshortworkofhimandleavehimbythesideofaroad,orpushhim intotherivertobefounddayslaterbyaboatmantrawlingforflotsam
“What,then?”Tessasked
Ipulledmythoughtsfromtheirgruesometrack.“ImeantperhapsCalebcouldfindoutiftherehavebeenanyreportsof incidentsinvolvingMr.Davis.Anaccident,mostlike.”
“Anaccident?”Again,thewhisper “Hemighthavebeenrundownbyawagon,youmean?”
“Tess,donotbesotheatrical.Hemighthavegoneoutforawalkandtrippedandfallen.Orlosthiswaysomewhere.” Mr.Davis hadlivedinLondonfor manyyears,sothatwas unlikely,butone never knew.“Iamcertainhe simplyhas better thingstodothanrushhome,butjustincase,I’dfeelbetterifCalebhadanaskaround”
“I’lltellhim.”Tesstappedthesideofhernose,hervoicequiet.“Youleaveittome.”
I hoped I had not erred sharingmyworries withher, but I knew Caleb would not instantlyreport the request to his superiors Hewasasensibleyoungmanandwouldunderstandourreluctancetoinvolvethepolice
“Yougoonuptobednow,”Isaid.“Youdidamountainofworktoday,andI’mcertainyouarefatigued.I’dratherhave youfreshfortomorrow,notdraggingyourselfabout.”
Tesssentmeagratefullook.“You’rethatgoodtome,Mrs.H.Idon’tdeserveye.”
“Enoughofyourbutteringup Goon”
Ipretendedtoignoreherandcontinuedmixingtheflour,water,salt,andstarter,myhandssquishingthroughthedough. Tessshowedhowmuchshe’dlearnedaboutkitchensbynotsimplydroppingtheknifewithwhichshe’dbeenslicingdarkgreen
peppersfortomorrow’ssoupandfleeingupstairs Shecarefullyputthepeppersintoabowlandwipedofftheknife,layingit nexttomyothers,whichIwouldwashandsharpenlater.
Onlythendidshedanceaway.Twoyearsago,she’dhavesimplyrushedout,leavingeverythingformetoclearup.
Ifinishedmixingandkneadingthedough,wipedmyhands,andmovedthebowl tothebackofthestovetorest Elsie maderoomformeinthescullery,whereIwasheduptheknivesandthentookthemtothetabletodryandoilthem.
OnceElsieandtheothershadfinishedtheirfinaldutiesforthenightanddrifteduptobed,Ithrewonacoat,tookupa basketoffoodscraps,andhastenedoutthebackdoor Ialwayscarriedunusableleavingsfromthemealtogivetothebeggars whocreptintoMayfairinsearchoffood,agoodexcusetodepartthehouse.
Itwas freezingcold tonight, and Iwished Ihad blankets or coats to give the poor souls as well. As Idistributed the food,IdispensedtheadvicetoseekMr Fielding,thevicaratAllSaintsinShadwell,who’darrangeforawarmplaceforthem tosleepifneedbe.Abitofawalkinthisweather,ofcourse,butIknewMr.Fieldingwouldhelp.
Awell-bundledladslouchednexttothegratingsanddidn’treachforthefood.
“It’sabitchillytobewaitingtorunanerrand,James,”Itoldhim.
ThetallyoungmanwhowasDanielMcAdam’ssongrinneddownatme He’dgrownatleastafootsincethedayI’dmet him.
“Ineverfeelit,Mrs.H.Whatdoyouneedmetodo?”
“Isyourfatherabout?”IaskedJamescasually.
DanielhadrecentlygonetoIrelandtodowhoknewwhatforScotlandYard.Uponhisreturn,he’dvisitedasusual butcould nottell me whathe’d beenabout Onmydayoutclosestto Christmas, he’d takenGrace and me to a pantomime, whichGracehadadored.Afterthat,he’dbecomeelusiveagain,whichIknewmeanthewashelpingthepolicesolvevarious crimes.
“He’saroundsomewhere,”Jamesansweredwithhisusualbonhomie “Wantmetofetchhim?”
“Heisnotabushelofpotatoes,”Isaid.“I’mnotcertainhewantstobefetched.”
Jameslaughed,eyesdancing.“Hewon’tmindifit’sforyou.”
“Don’tbecheeky,youngman”Ispokeadmonishingly,butsimplystandingnearJamescouldliftone’sspirits “Ifhehas thetime,Iwouldliketospeakwithhimonamatter”
“Right youare, Mrs. H. I’ll find him.” Touchinghis cap, James sprangfromthe pavement and sprinted downMount StreetinthedirectionofBerkeleySquare.Hewascorrectthatthecolddarknessseemedtonotaffecthiminanyway.
I suspected he’d be hurryingto the house inSouthamptonStreet, southof Covent Garden, where Daniel tookrooms DanielalsohadasmallhouseinKensington atleasthe’dhadatonetime.Hemovedwhereitsuitedhim,andoneneverknew inwhichdwellinghe’dbefound.Thatis,Ineverknew DanielusuallytoldJameswherehe’dbe,thankfully.
“Theyoung’salwaysinahurry,”anoldermanwho’dtakenafewofthefoodscrapssaidtome “Irememberthemdays liketheywasyesterday.Funnyfing,missus.Idon’tfeellikeI’mmorethannineteeninmyhead,butmybodytellsmeadifferent tale.”Hechuckled,hisbreathwheezing.
Ifumbledinmypocketandslippedhimacoin “Yougetindoorsassoonasyoucan ThevicarinShadwellisa kind manandwillseethatyou’rewarmtonight”Istumbledovertheword kind,buttherewasnoproperadjectivetodescribeMr Fielding.
“Thankye, missus.” The manpocketed the coinwithoutawkwardness and showed missingteethina smile. “Ye’re a goodone,nomistake”
Hewarmedmyheart,butIhopedhewouldnotsimplyusethecoinfordrink.Ididnotregrethandingittohim,however, nomatterwhathedidwithit.
Mybasketempty,Ibadethestragglersgoodnightandreturnedtomykitchen Now,towaitforDaniel.
Heneverarrived IstayedupaslongasIdared,checkingthedough,rearrangingthebowlsofingredientsforthemorning meals,sharpeningmyknives,andmakingnotesaboutrecipes.
IgaveuponDanielattwointhemorningandclimbedmyquietwayupstairstomychamber.
Iwastootiredtowashupandhadnodesiretodosoinwaterthathadlonggonecoldinthebasin Climbingintobed,I shivereduntilthecoverswarmedmeenoughtoletmesleep.
MydreamswereofDaniellounginginhissmallhouseinKensington,hisstockingedfeetonanottoman Iwasthereas well,insistingthathissocks,fullofholes,neededdarning.
Thedreamsturnedhazy,andIwokewiththevaguenotionthatI’dbeentryingtohideGrace,Joanna,andallherchildren inmytinybedchamberwhileSamlanguishedatDartmoor
Notinthebestmood,Idescendedtofindtherestofthestaffupbeforeme.Mr.Davishadstillnotreturned.
“Mostvexingofhim,”IsaidasIdividedthebreadintopansandsetthemasidefortheirnextrise.Mytruncatedsleep hadleftmelessanxiousandmoreannoyed “Mrs RedfernandIwillhavetocoverhisdutiesaswellasourown”
Tesswasalreadytoastingyesterday’sleftoverbreadonarackintheoven.Sheremovedthetoastrackwithtongsjustas the bread became goldenbrown. After slatheringthe slices withbutter froma crock, she stacked the toast into a dripping, warmtowerandslidthenextbatchofbreadontotherack
“Ihad a word withCaleb,” she told me. “Iwas up earlythis morning, since Ihad sucha nice sleep. Nipped outand foundhim.Hesaidhe’dkeepaneyeoutforMr.Davisoranymentionofhiminthepolicereports.”
“Thankyou.”
Itamped downonmychurlishness Mr Davis was notanirresponsible man, and his absence mightsignal something dire.Other butlers I’dworked withhadwaltzed inandoutas theypleased, or beenfound drunkonthe floor ofthe butler’s pantry,butneverMr.Davis.
IswitchedmyirritatedthoughtstoDaniel HewasmuchmorelackadaisicalabouttimekeepingthanMr Davis,thoughI supposed Iwas beingunfair. Daniel worked for a manwho seemed barelyhuman, and his days were notalways his own. I shouldbemorealarmedaboutwhattheoddMr.MonaghanhadsentDanielofftodothathadpreventedhimvisiting.
On the other hand, James’s behavior last night had indicated that Daniel would be easy to find Had James simply assumedso,andhadsomethingoccurredtokeepDanielfromcomingtome?
Focusingoncookingshould help take mymind fromworryingaboutso manypeople, Ireasoned, butthoughts niggled awayinthebackground
Breakfast went up without mishap, and Tess and Isnatched a few minutes to enjoythe butterytoast alongwithsome poachedeggs.Thenwewerecleaningupandpreparingforthenextmeal.
OutcamethepeppersTesshadchoppedlastnight,alongwithonionsandcarrots.Iladledbrothintoalargepottobegin soup,addingallthatwe’dchopped Thesoupburbledaway,lendingafragrantwarmthtothekitchen
Itbegantorain,thefine,needlelike,coldrainofwinter.Now,IbroodedaboutCalebwalkingalongthestreetsinthis freezingweatherandhopedhewaskeepinghisfeetdry.
LadyCynthiacametofindmeinthehourbeforeluncheon,abroadsmileonherface
“Doyouhavetimetospeaktome,Mrs.Holloway?”sheasked.“There’sonlyAuntieandmeforluncheon,sononeedto fuss.”
Shebrimmedwitheagerness,soIsteppedwithherintothepassagewaytothehousekeeper’sparlor Mrs Redfernwas abovestairs,keepingherwatchfuleyeonthemaidsastheyswept,dusted,andcleaned,sowewouldbeundisturbed “Mr.Davisstillisn’thome?”Cynthiaaskedworriedlyaswepassedthebutler’spantry.
Mymisgivings,whichI’dmanagedtosubmergewhileIconcentratedoncooking,resurfaced.“No.”
“Dear heavens, we reallymighthave to send for the police” Cynthia closed the door to the parlor after we entered “Evenifhe’llbeenragedthatwedid.”
“ConstableGreenehasbeeninformed,”Isaid.“Hecanreporttohissergeant,ifneedbe.”
“Theconstableisabrightboy”CynthiaploppedontotheBelterchair Sheworeasimilarfrockaslastevening,thisone ina deep marooncolor. “He’ll keep his mouthclosed until necessary. Maybe McAdamcould also have a searchround for him.”
“IsentforDan Imean,Mr McAdam lastnight”Iseatedmyself,butmygazestrayedtothecookerybookI’dtaken fromtheshelfthepreviousevening.Arecipehadcaughtmyeye,andIintendedtocopyitout.“ButIhavenotseenhimeither.”
OnethingI’dmeanttoaskDaniel was whether he couldcheckthe morgue,incase Mr.Davis layinit.Deathswirled aroundfoggyLondon,especiallyonitscoldestdays,andMr.Davismightwellhavemetwithmisfortune.
I realized as the thoughts formed that I knew nothing of Mr Davis’s family or even friends who would have to be informedofhispassing.
“McAdamwillturnup.”Cynthiaspokeconfidently.“Healwaysdoes.”
“Likeabadpenny,”Itriedtojest Cynthiasmiled,butmoretobolstermyspiritsthaninagreement
“Ihadagoodchin-wagwithmyuncleatbreakfastthismorning,”Cynthiasaid “Auntiedecidedtobeadelicateladyof thehouseandeatinherbedchamber,soIhadUnclealltomyself.”
IslippedoutthenotebookIalwayscarriedinmyapronpocketandturnedittoacleanpage.I’drecentlyacquiredanew pencil,nicelysharp,whichIheldattheready
“Veryefficient,” Cynthia said approvingly. “Ihope Ilearned somethingworthyofnoting.” She stretched out her feet, crossingherpracticallace-upboots.“IletUnclebelievethatIthoughtofinvestingthesmalltrustmygrandmotherleftmeinan internationalbankingventure IsuggestedI’dheardfinethingsaboutDaalman’sBank Iexpectedhimtosteermefromit,given whatyou’vetoldme,butinsteadhebrightenedandsaiditwouldbeawiseplacetodepositmyfunds.”
“Didhe?”Iaskedinsurprise.FromJoanna’sconcern,I’denvisionedaplaceofvilecorruptionrunbysinistermen.
“Indeed Ithoughthe’d encourage me to give mymoneyto his stockbrokingfirm, buthe seemed pleased I’d decided uponDaalman’s.Apparently,itisanoldandrespectedbank,whichstretchesbacktothedaysoftheHanseaticLeague.”
Ihadn’theard ofthis league, butCynthia appeared to be impressed. “Whatdoes thatmean, exactly?” Iasked, pencil poised.
Cynthialacedherfingerstogether “TheHanseaticLeaguewasaloosecollectionofbankersandmerchantswhotraded alloverthecoastsofEurope theBalticandNorthSeasmostly.GermanandDutchtraderswereparticularlypowerful,anda fellow called JurgenDaalmanstarted a bankinAmsterdamto fund merchants and take advantage of all the moneyfloating around UncleisverytakenwithDaalman’sBank”
“Highlyrespectable,then?”Iaskedunhappily.
“OneofthemostrespectedinstitutionsintheCity,accordingtoUncle.TheDaalmanfamilycantracetheirancestryback tothe1400sorso,whenthebankfirstopened TheysetupabranchinLondonaboutahundredyearslater,soDutchtradersin Londonwouldhaveaplacetoquicklyborrowcashorstashthemountainsofmoneytheymadesellinggoods.Themerchants’ fortunesroseandfell,butthebankalwaysseemedtobeinprofit.”
“Whatdo they do, exactly?” Iwasn’tprepared to understand highfinance, butIneeded atleastthe basic idea ofthis bank’sbusiness
“Hmm.” Cynthia pondered a moment. “Sayyouwantto begina business shippingclothyouchurnoutofyour factory usingthebestBritishwool.Youwanttopaythepeoplewhoareraisingandshearingthesheepandkeeprunningyourfactory ofspinners and weavers Youalso wantto sell this wonderful wool to people all over the Continentand into Asia and the Americas tothose climates where people needwoolenshirts,thatis.Youtoddle toDaalman’s andsay,‘Hey-ho,Ineedto buysome ships and the crew to runthem.’Theyessentiallybuythose ships for you, and youpromise thema share inyour profits inreturn Ifthe ships go down, theybear the brunt, butifyour business is successful, theymake a nice amountfrom investinginyou.”
Ipausedinmywriting.“Ithoughtyousaidyouwouldinvestyourmoneyinthisbank.Idoubtyou’llconvincethemyou wanttoshipwoolenstoChina”
“Givingmerchantsloansandinsuringtheirshipsisonlypartofwhattheydo,”Cynthiasaideasily “Theotherthingthey doistakemoneyfromthosewhohaveittohelpfundtheseventures.Ibasicallywouldbebuyingashareofthisshipspreading woollyclothallovertheworld,andthenIampaidapercentageofanyprofit.Afterthebanktakesitslargefee,thatis.” Iscribbledallthisdown,hopingitwouldmakemoresensewhenIthoughtitthrough “Theymusthave made wise choices aboutwhichmerchants to help,” Isaid whenIraised myhead again. “Since this bankhaslastedforcenturiesandwontherespectofyouruncle.”
Cynthiachuckled “Itappearsso Theyassesstherisk,ofcourse,saysUncle,andchoosewhetheritisworththeirwhile to fund or not. Some ventures are riskier, but those can be more profitable. Uncle advised me to tell themI wanted only moderateriskevenifI’dearnonlyamodestreturn.Afterall,howmuchmoneycanaladyneed?”
Shefinishedwithhumor,butIsawaglintoffrustrationinhereyes IfCynthiahadhadagreatdealofmoney,shecould bemoreindependent,likeMissTownsend.MissTownsend’swealth,inheritedintrustsfromfemalerelatives,letherliveon herownterms.Cynthiagreatlyenviedher.
“Whatdidyouruncletellyoutoinvestin?”Iasked.
Cynthiawavedanairyhand “Hetoldmetoleaveituptothebankersandnotfretmyheadaboutit ButIwillconsult Thanos.Hecancalculateprofitmargin,risk,loss,andallthoseotherthingsinhishead.ThenIwillmarchtoDaalman’sBank andtellthemexactlywhattodowithmylittlefunds.Uncleagreedtowritetothemandfixanappointmentforme.”
Myeyeswidened “MydearCynthia,youdonothavetoactuallygotothebankandgivethemyourmoney”
“Whynot?Idohavesomefundsfrommyfather’smumwhowiselydidnottrustmyfatherwiththem Notmuch,butIam intrigued.IwillaskThanosforhisopiniononthebestventureandtellthebankerImeetwithtoputitallonthat.Likebetting onthe fastesthorse inthe Derby,isn’tit? While there, Icanquizthe banker and find outwhatever Icanaboutyour friend’s dilemma”
“Gracious, Icannot let youdo that.” Isnapped mynotebookclosed. “Youshould not endanger your ownmoneyina placethatispronetoembezzlement.Didyouruncleknowanythingaboutthat?”
“Not at all” Cynthia’s mirthfled withher frown “He was surprised I’d heard sucha rumor and told me I must be mistaken.WhichmeansthatwhatevertroublesDaalman’sBankishaving,theyarekeepingthemveryquiet.”
Irolledmypenciluneasilybetweenmyfingers.“Iimaginetheyknowithastocomeoutsoon,andhavealreadydecided thatSamwillbetheirscapegoat Hehasnohighstandinginsocietyorfamilytoprotecthim Theyarewhisperingrumorsall overthebank,sothatwhenthescandalcomestolight,andSamiseitherdismissedorarrested,noonewillquestionhisguilt.”
“And once theyrid themselves of the supposed culprit, the bankreassures their clients, and everythinggoes backto normal.Oratleasttheypretenditdoes.”Cynthiabangedonefistonthearmofthechair.“It’sdastardly.”
Myanxiousness mounted “The bankgoes onwithouta stain, butSamuel’s life is ruined, as are those ofhis wife and children. They’ll puthiminprison.” I’d alreadyimagined himbreakingrocks inDartmoor, surrounded byhardened men. “I cannotletthathappen.”
“Wewillnot”Cynthia’svoicerangwithdetermination “Iwillinterrogatemyunclefurther Hesaidthatthefamilywho ownsthebankisveryinteresting,butMrs.Redfernenteredatthatmoment,andmyuncleceasedspeakingandrushedofftothe City.Heisquitedelightedwithmefortakinganinterestinfinance.Ihavenodoubthe’llwritefortheappointmentasIasked.”
“Youshouldnotgo,”Isaidquickly “Questioningyouruncleisenough”
“Nonsense.Mymoneyissittinginanaccountdoingnothingatall.Theonlyassistancetheaccountgivesmeisthatmy fatherhasnoaccesstoit.”Shebarkedalaugh.“UnclehasalwaysthoughtIshoulddomorewithit,buthefeareditwasn’this placetoadviseme”Cynthialeanedtomeandloweredhervoice “Hemeanshedoesn’twantmymothertogetwindofthefact thatheisofmorehelptomethanmyownfather Motherisabitprotectiveofmypa,blesshisboots”
Cynthia’sfather,theEarlofClifford,hadoncebeenaconfidencetricksterofsomeskill.LadyClifford,Mr.Bywater’s sister, would nothear a bad word said ofhim, however. Cynthia’s mother and father were still dreamilyinlove witheach otherandquitedefensiveagainstoutsiders,whichsometimesincludedCynthia
They’dhadtheirshareoftragedy,Iremindedmyself,losingbothasonandanotherdaughter.Iwasalwaystornbetween pityandangeratthemfornottreasuringthedaughtertheyhadinsteadofwishingtheycouldexchangeherfortheothers.
IsuspectedIwouldnottalkCynthiaoutofgoingthroughwithherappointmentatthebank,soIsimplynodded
“Now,wemustreturntothetopicofDavis,”Cynthiasaidabruptly.“Idon’tknowanythingabouthisfamily,oranyone whohemighthavegonetovisit.Mysisterhiredhimyearsago,andhe’srarelyleftthehousesince.Perhapshehasnofamilyor close friends,andsosees noreasontogoout Or ” She warmedtothe topic “Maybe he hada wife andlosther intragic circumstances Useshisworktoforget”
TheMr.DavisIknewwouldneverbethatmelodramatic.Also,thementionofhusbandsandwives,livingordeceased, arises incasual conversationwhenone works withsomeone for a longwhile. I’d beenasked quite oftenifthere was a Mr. Holloway I’d evaded the answer byexplainingthatcooks are called “Mrs” outofrespectand thatMr Hollowaywas my long-departedfather.
Mr. Davis had said not one word about a wife, current or past, nor any brothers, sisters, uncles, cousins, or close friends I recalled how the housekeeper before Mrs Redfernhad hinted that he had takenmale lovers inthe past, and Mr Davishadlaughedather. That old chestnut,he’dscoffed.
I’dtakenhiswordstomeanhe’dbeenaccusedofsuchatonetime.Whethertrueornot,he’dbeinaprecariousposition iftherumorsresurfaced Thepolice,Ibelieved,couldnotarrestapersonfor suchthingswithoutwitnessesandproof,butif Mrs.Bywatergotwindofit,shemightturnoutMr.Daviswithoutareference.
Muchbetterformetofindoutwherehewasandwhathadhappenedbeforewebroughtthepoliceintoit.
“PerhapsifIcouldenterhisbedchamber,Imightfindsomeclueastowherehe’sgone,”Imused.
“Anexcellentidea ShallIleadyouup?”
Istarted.“Ididnotmeanthisinstant.AndIoughttodosuchathingalone.”Thestaffhadlittletothemselvesasitwas. Mr.DaviswouldcertainlynotbehappyifheknewLadyCynthiahadgonethroughhisthings.
“Ahyes”Cynthiatappedthearmsofthechair,onefootkickingoutassheuncrossedher legs “IthinkIseewhatyou mean.ButIhadbettergoupwithyouanyway,incaseAuntieorMrs.Redferntriestointerceptyou.Icandrawtheirfire.”
Whatexcuse she’d give for hurryingupstairs withme, Idid notknow, butIdecided not to argue withher. This was Cynthia’shome,andshecoulddoasshepleasedhere
Cynthiawasimpatienttobegin.Ileftwithher,settingmycookerybookonatablenearthedoorsoIcouldreachiteasily later.
Themainfloorwasquietwhenweemergedtoitfromthebackstairs IheardMrs Redfern’svoicefloatingdownfrom theupperfloorsassheorderedthemaidsabout,buttherewasnosignofMrs.Bywater.Eithershehadgoneoutonhermorning errandsorwasstillinherbedchamber.Iguessedtheerrands,asMrs.Bywaterwasofarobustconstitutionanddislikedsitting aboutfortoolong
Sometime inthe past, this house had beentwo narrow townhouses, before anenterprisingowner had purchased both and knocked theminto one. Itmade the house quite large and had also givenitmismatched backstaircases. The one to the kitchen ended at the ground floor, which meant the servants had to cross briefly through the downstairs hall to another concealedstaircasethattookonetotheupperfloorsandattics
Cynthiaconfidentlyopenedthedoorofthesecondstaircaseandusheredmeinside.Whenwereachedthesecondfloor, shepushedopenthepanelthatledtothefamilysideandsteppedout.Iwasabitbreathless,butshe’dmovedbrisklywithout breakingstride
“Yougoon,”Cynthiasaidinaratherloudwhisper.“Letmeknowwhatyoudiscover.”
She saluted me, turningawaywitha merrygreetingfor Sara, the upstairs maid. Sara was clearlypuzzled about why Cynthia was poppingoutofthe backstairs, butIsaw her shrugand decide there was no accountingfor Cynthia’s eccentric ways.
Icontinuedtheclimbtotheattics,whichwereabysmallycoldthismorning.Iwasluckytohaveachimneyrisingthrough mychamber,whichlentamodicumofwarmth,butthemaidsandfootmenwerenotsofortunate Theyslepttwotoabed,which atleasthelped,butwewouldallbegladwhensummercame
Theattics were dividedintorooms for the male andthefemale servants,a door inthe shorthall separatingthe two.I cautiouslypeeredintothemen’sside,butnoonewasabout.Thefootmenwerebusilyworking,fearingMrs.Redfern’ssharp tongueevenmorethantheydidMr Davis’s
Mr.Davis’sroomsharedthethickchimneywithme thebrickwalldividingourroomshadoncebeentheendwallof theseparatehouses.HischamberwasabitlargerthanmineorMrs.Redfern’s,buthedidholdthesuperiorpositionofallthe staffinthehouse
His roomwas painfullyneat, Inoted as Istepped inside and closed the door. Iopened the wardrobe to find his suits hunginanorderlyline.Twopairsofboots,polisheduntiltheyshone,stoodinaperfectrowbeneaththesuits.
The bedhadnotbeensleptin,the pillow andcoverlets withouta crease IfoundnosignthatMr Davis hadhastened awayinagitation,noevidencethathe’dpackedhisthingsandfledthehouseforgood Avaliserestedontopofthewardrobe butbythewiltedlookofit,wasempty.
Nothinglayonhisbedsidetable,nobookorBible,nocandletolighthisway.Idoubtedhedressedandundressedinthe dark,sohemusthavetakenanycandlestickdownstairswithhimyesterdaymorning Mr DavissometimesroseearlierthanI did.
Thedrawerinthebedsidetablewaslikewiseempty,andthewardrobeheldnothingbuthissuits,boots,andinadrawer atthebottom,hisshirtsandunmentionables NowheredidIfindpersonalpossessionsofanykind,oranytraceofoneshemight havetakenaway.Absentknickknackswouldleaveaclearspotinthethinfilmofdustonthenighttable;abook’scovermight leaveasmudgeinadrawer.
Notevenmonks livedthis austerely,Ireflectedas Iscannedthe chamber Or perhaps Mr Davis simplyhidhis things well.Ididnotleavemyletters,myonephotoofGrace,andmyhoardofcashontopofmybureauforalltofind.
Isanktomyhandsandkneesandliftedthehangingcoverlettopeerunderthebed.Mr.Davismustsweephere orhada footmandoit becausenosnarlsofdustgreetedme.Isawonlysmoothboards,nothingtoindicateanywereloose,providing aconvenienthiddencavity
Iwasabouttogiveup,whenabitofpaperstickingoutfromunderaslatthatsupportedthemattresscaughtmyeye.My heartbeatingfaster,Ithrustmyhandundertheslatandcloseditaroundastackofwhatfeltlikeletters.Ipriedthemout,careful nottodropany,andseatedmyselfonthefloortostudythem
Therewereadozeninall,eachdirectedto Mr Emery Davis,eithercareofhisagencyorthishouseinMountStreet I was loath to open and read Mr. Davis’s post unless it became absolutely necessary, but I did note the return addresses scratchedonsomeoftheenvelopes.
Most came from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, the address written in a clear, slanting hand No personal name accompaniedthedirection,butthehousewascalledMedfordCottage.
The remaining letters either came fromhis agency or had no return address at all. I could speak with his agency, I supposed,andaskiftheyhadheardfromhim,butIwasreluctanttodoso TheymightscratchMr Davisfromtheirbooksif theythoughthimunreliable.
Istackedthe letters together inthe same order I’dfoundthemandreturnedthemtotheir hidingplace,leavingthe tiny cornerpeepingoutasbefore Iclimbedtomyfeetandbrushedoffmyfrock,feelingdefeated
Thechamberhadnootherpapers,nophotographsorsouvenirs.IknewMr.Davisdidnotlikeclutter,butthebarenessof his chamber was depressing. Thenagain, he might tuckanythingpersonal into a cupboard or drawer inthe butler’s pantry, whichwaswherehespentmostofhisdays.ThatwouldbethenextplaceIthoroughlysearched.
Finishedhere,Iturnedforthedoor
ThehandlewasyankedoutofmyhandevenasItouchedit.ThedoorwrenchedopenbeforeIcouldpuzzleoutwhatwas happening,andMr.Davishimselfpausedonthethreshold.
Hisusuallyaffablefacewentslackwithshockbeforehedrewhimselfupintohisbutler’sicyhauteur “Mrs.Holloway,”hedemandedinfury.“Whatinthenameofallthatisholyareyoudoinghere?”
Shame rolled over me, makingmyface hotand mymouthdry. Imusthave wornthe same expressionas the footmanI’d caughttheotherdaynickingabiteofpieoutofthelarder.
“Mr Davis,”Imanagedtosay “Thatismyname,notanexplanation.”
Histonefrozemetothebone,andIstrovetoretainmydignity.
“Idoapologize,”Isaid “Youareright Ihavenobusinesshere,exceptthatIwasterriblyworriedaboutyouandtrying todecidewhereyouhadgone.”
Mr.Davissteppedintothepassageway,motioningmeoutashewouldanunwantedguestfromthehouse.
“WhereIhavebeenismyownaffair Itookadayout,isall,andhaddifficultyreturningbeforenow HadImeanttostay awaylonger,Iwouldhavesentword”
Iscuttledpasthimbutturnedbackinthepassageway,hishighdudgeonbeginningtovexme.
“IfyouhadtoldMrs.Redfernyouwouldbeawayforallthistime,wewouldn’thaveimaginedyou’dbeenrundownby acoachoratrain Noneofusknewwhattothink”
“Itoldthemaster. He hadnoneedtoquestionmeortosearchmychamber.Iwasvisitingafriendwhowasill,ifyou mustknow.Goodday,Mrs.Holloway.Iwillseeyouinthekitchen.”
Myirenow movedtoMr Bywater HemighthavementionedMr Davis’splannedabsenceandsavedussomegrief I couldbecharitableandassumeMr.BywaterthoughtMr.Daviswouldtellushimself,butIwasembarrassedandunnervedand didnotfeelatallcharitableatthismoment.
“Nexttime,atleasttell me,”Istated “Iwouldhavekeptyourbusinessprivatefromtheothershadyouaskedme You hadnocalltoplungeusintosuchworry,Mr Davis Ithoughtwewerefriends”
Foramoment,surpriseflickeredinhiseyes,thenthefrostdescendedoncemore.
“Ineverinquirewhere you goharingofftoonyour days out,especiallywithDaniel McAdam,ofall people.Idonot approveofhim,butIdonotstopyou,nor doIsearchyour bedchamber for indicationofwhatyougetupto Iwouldthinka friend abovesuchthings.”
Iliftedmychin.“Friendsdolookoutforoneanother.Iapologizefordisturbingyou.Itwillnothappenagain.”
Imarchedoff,mybackstraight,andslammedthedoor ofthepartitionbehindme Onceonthewomen’sside,Ileaned againstthewall,breathingingulpsofcoldair.
Mr.Davishadtherightofit Ihadnobusinesssnoopingintohispersonallife,andnoneatalltogothroughthepileof lettershe’dclearlyhiddenfromeveryoneinthehouse
ButIhadtherightofitaswell,Iinsistedtomyself.Heoughtn’ttohavesimplydisappeared,leavingMrs.Redfernand me to manage his duties. Mr. Bywater ought to have told Mrs. Redfern, or at least his wife or Cynthia. That neither Mr. BywaternorMr.Davishadbotheredmademegrindmyteeth.
“Men,”Imuttered
Heavingasigh,Ipushedmyselffromthewall andbeganthejourneydownstairstoinformtherestofthestaffthatMr. Davishadreturned.
AnothermanIwasannoyedwithalsoreturnedthatafternoon.DanielMcAdammadehisnoisywaydowntheoutsidestairs andslungsacksofflourIhadnotorderedontothecleankitchenfloor.
“Thereyouare,missus,”hesaidtome Heflashedmehiswarmestgrin,justashehadthedayhe’denteredmykitchenatMrs.Pauling’s,four yearsagonow, winkingatmeliketheimpudentmanhewas.I’dstruggledtobesternwithhim,tellinghimhe’dbetterhavewipedhisfeet,but I’dbeenquiveringinside Daniel’ssmilecouldmeltone
Ikeptup the pretense thathis presence did notaffectme inanyway “Ido hope this is fromthe finestmiller,” Isaid coolly.“Onewhodoesnotaddchalktofilloutthebag.”
“BestinLondon,” Daniel assured me. He flashed another smile atTess and Elsie Elsie leaned onthe doorframe to staredreamilyathim
“Backtowork,”Icommandedbothyoungwomen.“Youcannotceaseyourlaborswheneverahandsomemanwalksin thedoor.Wherewouldyoubethen?”
“ShesaysIamhandsome,”Danielinformedtheroom “Mrs Holloway,youaretookindtome” “Oh,getonwithyou.”Iresumedchoppingonionsatthetable,forcingmyknifetobesteady.
Danielliftedabagontohisshouldersoncemoreandhauleditdownthehalltothelarder.Hewasallowedtodothings likethatinthishouse,andIappreciatedthehelp
I could not hope to speak to himalone, because the staff came out of the woodwork whenever Daniel arrived He cheerilygreetedthefootmenwhosuddenlyhadthingstodobelowstairsandwavedatthemaids,who’dlikewiseappearedto gazeathim.
OnlyMr Davis,who’demergedfromhisbutler’spantryatthenoise,sentDanieladisparaginglook
“I’vegotmoreprovisionsinthecart,”Danielsaidwhenhereturnedfromdepositingthefirstbag.Iwatchedhismuscles workasheheftedthesecondbag,theonionpiecesundermyknifegrowingsmallerandsmaller.“Perhapsyouwantalookat them?I’mearninganextrabobortwoonthesidesellingtokitchensonmyroute”
Itookthehint.AsDanieltrundledthesecondbagtothelarder,IhandedTessmyknifetocontinuewiththeonionsand preparedtoaccompanyDanieloutside.
Mr Davis grew still colder as he watched fromthe doorwayofthe servants’hall You see? his expressionseemed to say.
IsilentlyslidonmycoatandfollowedDaniel,whenhereturnedfromthelarder,throughthesculleryanduptheoutside stairs.
Thesunshonetoday,butthewindwasbrisk Ihuddledintomycoat,wishingforawarmhat
“Myapologiesfornotturninguplastnight,”Danielsaidassoonaswewereuponthebusystreetandafewyardsalong fromthehouse.
Daniel’s wagon, harnessed to a large and patienthorse, was indeed full ofboxes ofvegetables and greens Darkred beetroots,creamywhiteparsnips,anddeepgreenspinachtemptedmyeyes,aswell asbrightorangesthatpokedroundflesh abovethecrate.
“Iassumedyouwerewellintosomeintrigue,”Ireplied,brushingafingeracrossafragrantorange
Danielhuffedalaugh.“Notsomuchintriguingastedious.IsatmostofthenightinfrontofabuildinginMileEndRoad, waitingfortwothievestocomeoutofit.They’dbeenrobbingtheirwaythrougheverygoodsdepotintheEastEnd,stashing theirtakeinaderelictwarehouse”
“Didyoucatchthem?”Iasked Daniel’sblueeyesweredarkerthanthesky,andIfoundmyselfstandingasclosetohim asIdared.
“Ididindeed,withthehelpofsevenconstableswhoresentedbeingassignedsuchacold,dismalvigil.Thethievesare nowcomfortablyincellsawaitingthemagistrate,withtheconstablesbeingcongratulatedonajobwelldone”
“Whywereyouthere?”Iaskedinsomeindignation.“Iftheconstablesdidthearrestingandreceivedthepraise?”
“Becausethethievesdidn’tactalone.”Danielrestedhisarmonthesideofthewagon.Hiscoatwaswornandpatched, but I knew he layered plentyof solid clothes beneathit He played the down-at-the-heels deliverymanwell, but he had no intentionoffreezing.“Theycouldneverhavedoneallthatburglaryontheirown.Itwasmygovernor’shopethatthey’dbeata pathtotheirleader,butthatdidnothappen.”
“Yourgovernor,”Irepeated “YoumeanMr Monaghan,whosentyououttositintheicydarknessbecausehecould” “Ofcoursehedid.”Danielshrugged.“Heisnotwrongaboutthegang’sleader acriminalresponsibleforthousandsof pounds’worthofsilver plate andcostlyfurnishings beingstolenoutfromunder the nose ofthe railroads.Their lordships in Mayfairarenotreceivingthefinerytheyordered,andtheyareleaningonScotlandYardtostoptheman”
Heglancedatthetallhousesaroundusashespoke,whosetenantsweretheverymenpressuringMr.Monaghantosend DanielouttotheEastEndonaJanuarynight.
“Still,thereareplentyofotherpolicemenwhocouldhaveperformedthetask,”Isaid “Howlongwillhepunishyou?” “Aslongashecan,”Danielansweredwithgoodhumor.“IvowedtohimI’ddoonelastbigjob,butheisholdingoffon that.”
“Sendingyouonmanysmallonesinthemeantime,”Isaidindisapproval
“Thisisso.”Daniel’ssmilewasgenuine,asthoughhefoundMonaghan’smachinationsamusing.
Ididnot.Mr.Monaghan,ahigh-rankingofficialofsomekindatScotlandYard,blamedDanielforthedeathofoneofhis men.He’dbeenmakingDanielpaythatdebtforyearsnow,bysendinghimintohighlydangeroussituations.
AccordingtoDaniel,Mr Monaghanhadoncebeenaverybadman Danielwasvagueaboutwhathe’dactuallydonein the past buthad turned coatto help the police. This did notmeanhe’d become a good man, Ioftenreminded Daniel. Mr. Monaghan,inmyopinion,wasunnecessarilycruel.
Danielbrokemythoughts “MydearKat,Ididnotcomeheretodebatewhatmygovernorshouldorshouldnothaveme do.Yousentforme,butyoudidn’ttellJameswhatfor.”
MyumbrageatMr.Monaghanrecededasmytroublescamebacktome.“ItisJoanna.”
As ithad whenI’d confided inCynthia, the entire tale flooded out Iended up face-to-face withDaniel, myshoulder againstthewagon’sside,asIspoke.Helistenedwithsympathy,withflashesofangeronSam’sbehalf.
“Daalman’s Bank,” Daniel said whenI’d finished. “Abastionofsuccess and respectability. The Londonbranchwas opened bya daughter and son-in-law ofthe familywho controlled the business inAmsterdam Thatwas aboutfour hundred years ago Their descendants are now veryBritish, butinterestingly, the business inEngland has beenhanded downmostly throughthefemaleline,withthedaughtersandniecesmarryingmenwhostepinandrunthings.”
“Gentlemenmustvietomarrytheseladies,then,”Isaid.
“Wealthyheiresses all,” Daniel agreed “Afew lordships have wormedtheir wayintothe business,butthe gentlemen whoholdthereinsarefirmlyoftheCity.Noonewhodoesn’twishtoworkhisfingerstotheboneneedentertheirranks.”
“Whorunsthebanknow?”
“Atthetop,thematriarchoftheEnglishbranchoftheDaalmanfamily Ano-nonsensewomanwhohasherfingersfirmly entrenchedintheenterprise.Hersonanddaughter,andthedaughter’shusband,areontheboard,alongwithafewotherfamily membersofonesortortheother.Aheadbanker,whoshowsupattheofficeeveryday,isthesecondcousinofthematriarch.”
“ThisiswhatSamisupagainst,”Isaidwithaqualm
“I’mafraidso Poorbeggar”
“Whatcanwedo?Samisnoembezzler.”
“Ofcourseheisn’t.”Daniel’sbeliefinSamwarmedme.“Ifanoutsiderofnoconsequenceisresponsibleforanyofthe bank’stroubles ifthesetroublesareevenreported theinvestorswon’tdemandalltheirmoneybackatonce”
“Whichwouldcollapsethebank,”Ifinished.
“Itcertainlywould.Idoubttheycouldcover everythingthathas beenputintoit.Theyare supposedtobe able to,but fourhundredyears’worthofinvestmentsanddividendsprobablyhasmuddiedthepool”
IregardedDanielglumly.“So,theyarescramblingforasolution.Iwonderifthey’vebeenembezzledatall,orifthey aretryingtoinventareasonthattheyareshortoffunds.”
“Youcouldhavehituponit”Daniel’shandrestedverynearmine “IknowyouarefondoftheMillburns,Kat Iwilldo everythingIcantohelpyou,andthem.”
“Morethanfondofthem.Joannaismydearestfriend,asecondmothertomydaughter.”Iletoutabreath,whichfogged inthe Januaryair. “WhatonearthamIto do ifshe canno longer care for Grace? Icannothide Grace inmyattic room.” I laughedfeebly,butmyheartwaslikelead
Daniel rested his roughglove onmycold fingers, his strengtha comfort. “Grace will be looked after. Ipromise you this.”
