Page 87 of Speculations in Sin

“That will do nicely, Mrs. Holloway. I have come to tell you that you and Mrs. Redfern will have to assume some of Mr. Davis’s duties, because he has decided to takethreedays out, at the same time.” Her tone registered displeasure at this extravagance.

Mr. Davis avoided my gaze as he addressed Mrs. Bywater athis haughty best. “My train does not depart until well after service tonight, madam. I will be at table, as usual, and leave Mrs. Holloway thorough instructions as to the wines to be served while I am absent.”

Mrs. Bywater sniffed, unappeased by his assurances. “See that you do,” she said, and then swept from the room.

“Where are you going, Mr. Davis?” Tess asked with her disarming frankness.

“Bury St. Edmunds,” Mr. Davis replied. He finally looked at me directly. “To a funeral.”

“Oh, hard luck.” Tess sent him a sympathetic glance, then dropped her focus again to the herbs. “Well, most funerals feed you well afterward.”

Mr. Davis raised his brows, but I sent him an understanding smile. “My condolences, Mr. Davis.”

Mr. Davis continued to regard me steadily, then he gave me a nod. “Thank you, Mrs. Holloway.”

* * *

Sam was not released until the following Monday. That he gained his freedom at all was in large part due to Sir Rupert Shepherd arguing long and hard with the judge assigned to Sam’s trial that there was too much doubt about his case to continue. Another suspect for the murder had been arrested, and a witness—Mr. Kearny—was insisting that this suspect had been threatening him and was sure to have killed Mr. Stockley.

Though Miss Swann was fighting valiantly to keep from being tried, we heard from Sir Rupert, via Miss Townsend and Cynthia, that as Daniel had speculated, the Daalman family had decided to turn against her. The reputation of the bank was more important to them than a family tie. They blamed thewhole of the troubles on her and Mr. Kearny, and then worked to suppress the scandal.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Miss Swann’s sister and elderly relation, dependent on her wages, but as they were also part of the Daalman family and hopefully innocent of Miss Swann’s misdeeds, perhaps they’d be looked after. I would make certain to inquire about them.

Sir Rupert at last won his point. The judge relented and signed the order that released Samuel Millburn and exonerated him of the crimes he’d been accused of.

I stood with Joanna and family in the street outside the blank wall of Newgate Monday afternoon, waiting for a side gate to open and discharge any prisoners set free that day. Other families waited as well—wives, children, husbands, mothers—huddling together or rubbing their hands against the cold.

I’d thought Joanna would want to meet Sam alone, but she insisted we accompany her. A large party, she’d said, to parade Sam triumphantly home. Daniel had arrived at Joanna’s to let her know the time of his release and to escort us to Newgate himself.

When the gate opened, excitement stirred. The first man out was not Sam. A middle-aged gent blinked at the glare, then ran to the woman I assumed was his wife and threw his arms around her. The couple embraced joyously, then stumbled away down the street, entwined in each other.

My gaze lingered on them hurrying off so happily, until I heard Joanna’s sob.

Turning, I saw Sam had emerged. He paused to shrug his coat higher on his shoulders, his form a bit thinner than it had been before his arrest. Joanna had her fingers to her lips, her eyes alight with joy.

Sam glanced about at the other prisoners reuniting with their families as though worried no one had come to greet him. Joanna, unable to remain still, dashed to him across the slick street, her skirts flying.

Mark leapt into the air, shouting, “Dad!” the girls jumping with him. Even Matthew, calmer than the others, bounced on his toes, ready to run to his father.

Grace put herself in front of them. “Wait. Let Aunt Joanna be first.”

As the four children quieted down, my pride rose in my girl, who understood things with wisdom beyond her years.

Sam spied Joanna running to him and stilled, as though not believing it was truly her. A moment later, he caught Joanna in his arms and hauled her tightly against him.

They remained like that for a long time, the pair locked in an embrace, unmoving except to sway a little. The hug went on and on until passersby, including grim-countenanced laboring men, stopped to watch, their faces softening at the loving reunion.

I wiped my eyes. “Goodness, this wind is sharp,” I murmured.

Grace smiled at me, not fooled, her own eyes wet. Daniel coughed, leaning closer to me.

At long last, Joanna and Sam parted. Sam spied his children, fell to one knee, and opened his arms.

As one, they rushed to him, tumbling over one another to find their father’s embrace. Grace quivered next to me, until I sent her after them as well. Sam scooped her in as heartily as he had his own brood, Joanna’s broad smile warming my heart.

The children helped Sam to his feet, pulling him toward Daniel and me, Sam laughing, his eyes alight with happiness.

Sam shook Daniel’s hand and embraced me, then he woundhis arm around Joanna, took his youngest daughter by the hand, and announced they were going home. Joanna turned to us as they started off.

---