Page 86 of Speculations in Sin

“Nonsense.” Joanna sounded more her usual self, though I saw uncertainty about Sam in her eyes. “I sent word to your Lady Cynthia that you’d been injured. She returned a note that said you were on no account to be moved, and she’d settle things with her aunt.”

Some relief washed over me, but I’d not be easy until I was back in my kitchen. Tess could not handle so much on her own for too long.

Joanna curled her hands in her lap as her tears threatened to fall. “Kat, what you have done for me. Oh, my dear, you might have been killed.”

“I am made of stern stuff,” I reminded her. “And you helped too. If you’d not taught me to pick locks when we were seven years of age, I’d have been for it.”

Joanna tried to laugh. “I taught you, but you were always better at it than I was.”

“Don’t tell my mum.” I echoed the words I’d given to her when we’d been children.

Joanna’s smile was shaky. “My friend, what would I do without you?”

“What would I do withoutyou?” I countered. “You and Sam have given me a wonderful gift, looking after Grace for me. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” I clasped Joanna’s hands. “We will bring him home, Joanna. I promise you.”

* * *

I made myself enjoy being looked after for the morning, but later that day, I insisted on rising and going home. Grace did not want me to, and I did not want to be parted from her, but I knew I had no choice. I hugged her and promised her a fineouting on Thursday. Grace bravely nodded, trying to conceal her unhappiness.

I expected I’d walk home, or perhaps Lewis would be lingering in his cab, but the carriage I found waiting for me in Cheapside belonged to Miss Townsend. It was driven by her coachman, Dunstan, and waiting next to it was Daniel.

He assisted me inside, and we rolled away, snug on the seat together, just the two of us. Presumably Miss Townsend had lent Daniel the coach, but I was too tired to ask why.

Daniel told me then that Miss Swann and Mr. Jarrett had both been arrested, a magistrate already making short work of Jarrett. He was on his way to Newgate, but by Daniel’s intervention, would not be housed in the same room as Sam.

Miss Swann had immediately consulted a wily solicitor who was even now concocting reasons she should not be detained or charged.

“The Daalman family no doubt will come to her rescue,” I said, tasting bitterness.

“Or turn their backs on her,” Daniel countered. “They are as adamant about the bank’s good name as she is. Time will tell.”

I sank into his embrace, at this moment having no reluctance to show him how grateful I was for his presence in my life.

“By the way,” Daniel said after he’d kissed my lips, being careful of my bruises. “I did thump Jarrett. Thumped him hard. Mr. Grimes helped.”

“Good,” I said, and leaned into him once more.

* * *

At home, Tess exclaimed over my bruises, and Lady Cynthia tried to tell me to go to bed and stay there.

“I am perfectly all right after my rest,” I assured her. “Sore, but no longer frail. I’d rather cook, if you don’t mind, instead of lying in bed fretting.”

Cynthia, who also preferred action to idleness, understood.

When I praised Tess for keeping things running as well as she had, Tess threw her arms around me in an impulsive hug.

“As long as you don’t leave me on me own too long again,” she said. “I was that scared you weren’t coming back, Mrs. H. When Lady Cynthia said you were hurt, I imagined all sorts.”

Mrs. Bywater entered the kitchen with her decided stride at that moment, and Tess abruptly released me. She wiped her eyes before she went back to chopping herbs for my white wine sauce.

Mrs. Bywater was followed by Mr. Davis, who, to my surprise, set a small valise near the coatrack at the back door.

Mrs. Bywater studied my battered face before letting out ahmph. “You don’t look as injured as Cynthia led me to believe. But accidents are what comes of having days out. You’d be much safer if you stayed at home.”

I was not going to resume the ongoing argument about my days out with Mrs. Bywater at the moment. “It ended well, Mrs. Bywater. I will serve a syllabub for the sweet tonight, if you approve.”

Mrs. Bywater loved syllabub, probably because it contained a large quantity of sherry. She softened a modicum.

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