Page 37 of Speculations in Sin

After the meal, I heard cultured voices in the hallway, and then Lady Cynthia led Miss Townsend into the kitchen.

“A delightful luncheon, Mrs. Holloway,” Miss Townsend said. She wore her usual ensemble of elegant simplicity, her dark hair in neat curls that framed her face. “I apologize for the inconvenience of my addition. I hadn’t meant to arrive just as a meal was ready. But I’d never turn down the chance to enjoy your food.”

“Thank you.” I bent my knees in a curtsy. “It was no inconvenience at all.”

The twinkle in Miss Townsend’s eyes told me she knew I told a polite lie. “The almond-orange cake was delightful. Almost as good as your lemon one.” The twinkle deepened.

I’d been known to bribe Miss Townsend and her lady friend Lady Roberta Perry—Bobby as she was called—with lemon cake for their help in sticky problems.

Cynthia sat down at the kitchen table, getting flour all over the elbows of her nice frock. She glanced around to see who might be listening, but Elsie made plenty of noise in the scullery and the other staff were busy upstairs.

“Told Judith all about this bank business last night,” Cynthia said. “She’s dismayed that your Mr. Millburn was arrested—she knows what he and his wife do for you.”

“That is kind of you.” My words were perhaps not as filledwith gratitude as they could be, but my lack of knowledge chafed me.

“I came to tell you I have recruited a barrister who will speak for Mr. Millburn, if it comes to it,” Miss Townsend said.

“I do not know if he’ll be sent to trial,” I said. “I’ve had no word about his plight at all. I am assuming that if he’d been released, Joanna would have sent a message.” That she’d remained silent worried me.

“I can possibly find that out for you as well,” Miss Townsend said. She remained standing a few feet from the table and out of range of the stove, her shoes planted on the cleanest tile in the kitchen. “There are people I can ask…”

“I shouldn’t like to draw attention,” I said quickly. As much as I wished to know what had happened to Sam this morning, I did not want every magistrate wondering why he was so interesting.

“The advantage of being an eccentric, Mrs. Holloway.” Miss Townsend bathed me in her serene smile. “My male relations look upon me as an oddity who is curious about all sorts.”

“It’s kind of you,” I said with sincerity. “And for the barrister, though I doubt Sam will be able to afford a very lofty one.”

“Nonsense, the fellow owes me a favor and so will waive his fee. He’s a silk, and arrogant about it, but quite good. If there is one chink in the evidence against Mr. Millburn, my friend will find it and render the chink a chasm.”

“I do hope Sam can be proved to be completely innocent,” I said. “Not let off on a technicality.”

“I’d take the offer, Mrs. H.,” Cynthia said. “It might be the best anyone can do.”

“Forgive me—I do not mean to sound ungrateful.” I rested my hands wearily on the table. “Any help is most welcome, andI’m certain Joanna will agree, eventually. I worry that Mr. Millburn will be disgraced, even if he is acquitted, and he and Joanna will have to scratch for their living.”

“We will do everything in our power to prevent that,” Miss Townsend said.

She had a way of speaking that made all believe in what she told them. I saw, however, a tiny flicker of doubt in her eyes. Perfectly innocent people who were absolved of a crime could still be tainted by the accusation. The seed was planted in others’ heads and wasn’t easily erased. I’d seen it happen time and again throughout my life.

“In any case, he’d have wanted to look for more work soon,” Cynthia said. “Thanos says the bank is on shaky ground. Talked to him at length last night about it. Bobby too. She says her brother has pulled out of investments there.”

“Oh?” I asked. “Is that common knowledge?”

“Both Thanos and Bobby say no. Bobby says her brother is cagey, not because he’s heard anything definite, but he’s jumpy when his dividends go down by a penny. Thanos knows a chap who keeps his finger on the pulse of economic ups and downs, and that chap knows what banks are on sound footing and what are taking too many risks. Daalman’s is in the second category.”

“Yet Mr. Zachary sounded so confident when he talked about investing your money,” I said.

“Very practiced,” Cynthia agreed. “Doubtless he’s perfected the act over the years. Like my father. Though I think all bankers are swindlers.”

“Not quite, darling,” Miss Townsend said.

“Judith has lived a blameless life among honest people,” Cynthia said with a grin. “She is not convinced that those who work in finance most want to steal it.”

“Not quite true either,” Miss Townsend said with good humor. “Perhaps we should leave Mrs. Holloway in peace. She cannot make her wonderful concoctions with us hovering.”

“I do appreciate your kindness,” I said.

“It is not kindness. It is gratitude.” Judith came to me and took my hands, as though I were a friend, though mine were covered with grease and flour. “You have a been a boon to Cynthia, and through her, to me. If there is anything I can do for you, you have but to ask.”

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