Page 50 of Speculations in Sin

Before I could respond, Mr. Davis carried in a tray with glasses, and Mr. Fielding came out of his slouch, pasting on his ingratiating expression once more.

“Thank you, Mr. Davis,” he said. “You are a godsend.”

Mr. Davis acknowledged his praise with dignity. “A light red wine for you, Mrs. Holloway.” Mr. Davis presented me the tray first, and I took the glass with gratitude.

I drank little, except to taste wine to make certain it was right for my sauces, but this wine’s nose was good, and I accepted it readily. Mr. Fielding took the deep ruby port with sincere thanks, and Mr. Davis departed, pleased we approved of his choices.

Mr. Fielding lifted his glass to me. “As I know you will object to me toasting you and your abilities, I will say, here is to a satisfactory end to this problem with the correct criminals paying their dues.”

“A toast I can favor.” I lifted my glass as well, then sipped the wine. The savory red rolled over my tongue, and I instantly thought of a game dish I could use it in.

“Mrs. Millburn is a courageous woman,” Mr. Fielding said once he’d drunk. “I commend her. I can see why you are such friends.”

“She is very courageous,” I agreed. “Did the constables find anything? Or believe they did?”

“I kept a sharp eye on them.” Mr. Fielding took another sip of port and made a satisfied noise. “This really is quite good. I am honored. I sat with Mrs. Millburn a bit, patting her hand, until she was fed up with me, then I trotted after the constables,anxious to help. They went through Millburn’s desk in his study, even searched for secret drawers. Pulled out all his books and went through those. I did my best to restore order.”

“The children do their schoolwork in there,” I said in dismay. “If the constables pestered them in any way…”

“They did not. Mrs. Millburn sent all five downstairs to stay with the cook and have an early luncheon while the police roamed the upstairs. I prevented them tearing apart cushions and breaking open cabinets. Mrs. Millburn relinquished her keys to me, and I used them on any boxes that were locked—not many. In this way, the helpful vicar could prevent destruction and understand exactly what they were looking for.”

“And what were they looking for?” I asked, tightly clutching my wineglass.

“Balance sheets and other information that could have been taken from the bank. He had a few boxes of papers from Daalman’s, unfortunately, hidden in a bookshelf behind some dusty tomes. I offered the explanation that he might have been trying to work out for himself where the missing money from Daalman’s had gone, but the sergeant in charge took them away with glee.”

“Oh,” I said in consternation. “On the other hand, if someone from the police goes through these papers, they will see that Sam had nothing to do with the embezzlement.”

“I admire your optimism, Mrs. Holloway.” Mr. Fielding raised his glass to me again. “If someone who understands finance sifts through them, you are right, they will realize his innocence.” He grimaced. “Unfortunately, they might simply shove them onto the busy prosecutor for the Crown who will use them as evidence Millburn had something to hide.”

“Then we must at once inform the barrister and solicitorMiss Townsend is providing that they should make certain the books are scrutinized,” I declared.

“Mrs. Millburn mentioned that Miss Townsend has offered this help. The lovely Miss Townsend.” Mr. Fielding pressed a hand to his heart. “Would that she had a liking for gentlemen instead of ladies—what a fine vicar’s wife she’d make. But alas.”

He could at least make me laugh, even in troubled times. “Miss Townsend is far too lofty to be a vicar’s wife,” I said. “I believe she enjoys her independence.”

“She does, more’s the pity. But good for her for finding a legal mind—a silk, no less—to assist. I imagine this barrister will be the most brilliant in the land.”

“Miss Townsend only said the barrister owed her a favor,” I said. “The solicitor must be one this barrister works with frequently.”

“She’s a sharp one.” Mr. Fielding’s admiration continued. “To have a silk willing to add to his no doubt heavy load to defend a banker’s clerk. Makes me wonder who else Miss Townsend has in her pocket.”

“I have not speculated,” I said. “I am simply grateful. Did the police find anything besides the papers?”

“Not that I could see. They were very happy with those. I wish Millburn hadn’t tried to hide them. Harder now to make the case that he was a diligent clerk who even worked at night at home.”

“Yes, I can see why they’d consider that suspicious. I am guessing Sam did not want anyone from the bank who happened to call to see him with them.”

“A good explanation,” Mr. Fielding conceded. “Perhaps you should tell that to the solicitor as well. A conscientious man working his fingers to the bone looking after his wife and many children.”

“I would rather they acquit him because he did no wrong than from pity. Though I suppose we should take what we can.” I let out a sigh. “Joanna simply wants him home.”

“She is worried, and right to be.” Mr. Fielding became somber. “I comforted her the best I could. False hope won’t help her, but despair will not either.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Daniel was wise to send you to her.”

Mr. Fielding’s obnoxious smile returned. “She approves of me,” he said to the air. “I am crushed with the honor.”

I wondered if he’d learned this silly way of talking from Daniel, or if Daniel had from Mr. Fielding.

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