Page 31 of Dark Tidings on the Thames
Niall narrowed his gaze. “Jeanette, do you think this young man killed Glynn?”
The flower girl looked distraught. “I can’t say for sure, can I? Not havin’ seen it myself. But I do think hecouldhave killed her.”
“You still haven’t told us the most important thing.” Kara leaned toward her. “Who is he, Jeanette? Do you know?”
“I’m afraid to tell you,” the girl said, staring down into her ale.
“He should be questioned,” Niall said sharply. “No matter who he is. You said he has begun harassing you?”
She nodded. “He came up from behind and caught me unawares. He told me in great detail about the house he means to rent for the woman in his keepin’. I told him it sounded very nice, but that I was not that sort of girl. He left then, but I caught sight o’ him in the crowds around the Canterbury, just watchin’ me.” She shivered. “That’s how it started with Glynn.”
“His name, Jeanette?” Kara asked.
The girl hesitated, but then she drew a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Arnold,” she whispered. “Fred Arnold.”
Niall straightened. “Fenton’s son?”
“The Earl of Fenton?” asked Kara, dismayed.
“Third son,” Jeanette said with a nod.
“No wonder Frye ignored her.” Niall sighed.
“Earl’s son or not, he must be brought down to Scotland Yard and questioned,” Kara declared. “And it might be prudent for you to play least-in-sight until this is all settled.”
“How am I to do that?” the girl cried. “I got rent to pay!”
“We’ll speak to your landlord,” Kara told her. “And perhaps you might come to stay with us—”
“Beggin’ yer pardon,” Jeanette interrupted, her chin held high. “But I ain’t nobody’s charity case. I been workin’ since I was knee high to a frog, sellin’ flowers at my mother’s side when I was small, and carryin’ on with her tradition once she were gone. I rely on myself. I support myself.”
“How about another sort of employment, then?” Kara blinked as Niall nudged her. “Emelia’s looking for a downstairs maid, isn’t she?”
“A maid? A place in service?” Jeanette straightened, her interest clear. “Out of the weather? With room and board?” Suddenly, her shoulders slumped. “I don’t have the sort o’ references ye need fer a place like that.”
“We’ll be your references,” Kara told her. “You can try the position on, see if it suits you. If not, you can go back to your spot outside the Canterbury.”
“I’ll have to talk with Helen, make sure she knows she can have my spot, temporary like, until I make up my mind.”
Kara sighed. “It’s probably too late in the evening now to take you to Scotland Yard. Let’s see you back to your rooms. You can gather your things and then we’ll take you to Lake Nemi. Emelia will see you settled for tonight.”
Jeanette straightened. “Lake Nemi? The place that used to be a bordello?”
“In the distant past, it was,” Kara said, sighing again. “No longer. Now it is—”
“The place where women go to learn about science, and history, and the study of strange plants and animals,” Jeanette said quickly. “I know! I always wished I could get inside there. I shouldn’t mind learnin’ such things, myself.”
“Well then, perhaps employment there will suit you well. We’ll take you over straight away,” Niall said. “Tomorrow we will bring Inspector Wooten by to interview you. Afterward, you and Emelia can discuss terms of a trial employment.”
Jeanette glanced over at her baskets. “What of my flowers?”
“Take them as an offering of thanks for your shelter,” Kara suggested. “Emelia is as susceptible to a lovely gift as the next woman.” She stood. “Let’s get you tucked safely away, then.”
Chapter Seven
Rain had begunto fall as they left the Eagle. Niall carried the baskets of flowers as they hurried back toward the theatre and their carriage. He saw the women tucked inside and the baskets strapped to the back. A chill wind swept in from the river, making him shiver as it caressed the bits of his legs left bare between stockings and kilt. He gave John Coachman the address provided by Jeanette, and as they set off, he sank down next to Kara with a sigh.
They didn’t have to go far through the cramped and narrow streets surrounding Covent Garden. Jeanette said her rooms were in a boardinghouse nearby. Watching out the window, he noticed when they passed by a similar establishment—the house where their friend, Miss Josie Lowe, used to reside. He nudged Kara and nodded toward the place, then gave her a warm, slightly suggestive smile. In that building was the spot where they had shared one of their first kisses, on the night he had finally confessed his secrets to the woman who would become his wife.
