Page 34 of Speculations in Sin

At the moment, I could only hold my friend like I would my daughter, my heart heavy for her plight.

* * *

I shared Joanna’s bed that night, not wanting her to sleep alone. She did sleep, thanks to the chamomile tea laced with milk I made her drink, though she was restless.

My natural inclination to wake early had me up before dawn. I dressed hastily, hugged Grace, who’d come into the hall when she heard me, and sent her back to bed while I descended. I left Joanna sleeping, but I knew she’d understand I had to hurry back to my employment.

The maid was already up, sweeping the front step when I departed. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her concern for the family heartened me. Some servants would simply abandon a household caught in scandal and try their luck elsewhere. That Carrie and her husband and the cook remained loyal to Joanna was reassuring.

“Let no one in,” I told Carrie. “Only me or Mr. McAdam. If Inspector McGregor arrives, tell him Mrs. Millburn can’t rise from her bed. I do not want him interviewing her without me near, and I can’t stay this morning.”

“Not letting anyone in,” Carrie said, her worn face set in determination. “My man and me will look out for her, never you worry.”

“Make sure she eats something,” I admonished her, and Carrie nodded readily.

“You can count on me, Mrs. Holloway.” Her resolve ebbed a moment. “Will Mr. Millburn be all right? He never did that man over, did he?”

“No, indeed.” I settled my gloves. “Mr. Millburn is innocent, and he will be freed. Let us never forget that.”

Carrie nodded, if glumly. I made myself turn and go, knowing I had to get myself home before I was missed. I’d meant to be here when Inspector McGregor called, but the mistress forbidding me to go had put paid to that idea.

A cab rolled to a halt in front of me when I reached Cheapside. I recognized the large bay horse and Lewis the cabbie driving it.

Daniel had certainly instructed him to be at the ready for me. It was good of him, I decided as I climbed aboard. A friend looking out for a friend, not a man trying to tie me to him with obligation.

Still, a woman had to be careful what sort of man she owed favors to. Some called in their debts in sinister ways, as Sam’s old friends were trying to do with Joanna.

I wondered who these men were exactly, and why they were coming around now. Sam had been gone from their territory for twenty years—even Inspector McGregor had admitted that. What had Sam done to make them hunt up his family the minute they were vulnerable? I recalled Joanna saying he’d made a few of them back down when they’d accosted her and Sam at the music hall. Perhaps Sam had been higher in the ranks than Joanna was assuming.

Joanna had given me the name of one of them as I’d put her to bed, though she’d done so reluctantly. I’d had to reassure her I would not seek out the man myself. I would mention himto Daniel and see what he knew of him, or what he could find out. Such a man was likely well known to the Metropolitan Police.

I dozed in the cab as we rattled our way to Mayfair. I snapped awake once or twice, then concluded I should let myself sleep. I wouldn’t get much more rest today than this.

Lewis woke me when he halted in Oxford Street near Grosvenor Square, where I’d instructed him to let me out. Again, he refused payment, pretending to be engrossed in turning the hansom—which the horse knew exactly how to do, I could see—when I tried to hand him coins.

I called after him to tell Daniel I wished to see him. Lewis raised a hand as he headed east on Oxford Street, but whether he’d heard me or would pass on the message remained to be seen.

I popped into a greengrocers I liked, finding the grocer just setting out his wares. The best time to shop for produce was early, as canny servants and housewives would pick the finest bits, leaving wilted, browning specimens to those who shopped later. I assuaged my worries by filling a basket I borrowed from the grocer’s wife with crisp heads of lettuce, bright orange carrots, and onions that would roast up sweet.

From there I hurried through Grosvenor Square and down South Audley Street to Mount Street, clattering breathlessly down the stairs to the kitchen.

I swept indoors in time to hear Mrs. Bywater say sternly, “Good morning, Mrs. Holloway. You’ve been outdoors, have you?”

10

I strove for a nonchalant expression as I faced Mrs. Bywater.

I must look a fright, with my hair windblown, my face ruddy from the cold. I’d borrowed a brush from Joanna and repinned my hair this morning, but the brisk January breeze had tugged tendrils free. Mrs. Bywater, by contrast, was neat and trim, a cameo brooch, her one adornment, set precisely in the middle of her collar.

“I have indeed, ma’am.” I clutched the basket of produce in both hands, my greens and vegetables piled in it. “One must go to the greengrocers early or be unlucky.”

Under Mrs. Bywater’s pinched face and hard stare, I strolled to the table and plunked the basket onto it. Tess, who’d turned from the stove in relief when she heard me enter, set down her spoon and hurried to begin sorting my purchases.

Mrs. Bywater watched closely as I unbuttoned my coat, asthough she expected to see me bedecked in an indecent frock for my nighttime frolic. When only my work dress appeared, she sniffed.

“Well, get on with your duties.” She moved to the kitchen door, then paused. “I do hope your friend mends, Mrs. Holloway. However, I find that when a person has a good constitution, she will recover whether there are friends hovering over her bedside or not.”

Giving me a decided jerk of her head, she strode away. Tess opened her mouth, but I held up a finger, warning her to silence until we heard the mistress climb the stairs and slam the door at the top behind her.

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