from the Polytechnic on Cavendish Square hired him to do lectures. The flat is part of the salary. The man who hired him is quite wealthy, a dilettante, very clever and half runs the Polytechnic, or will, when it opens again.”
I’d heard of the Polytechnic, but I knew little about it. I would have to ask Mr. Thanos. “If Mr. Thanos will allow us to invade his flat, it sounds a good place.”
Daniel rose but remained next to the table, his expression guarded. “We’ll meet there Monday afternoon, then.”
Monday was my half day. “Early in the afternoon. The rest of the time, I spend with Grace.”
“Of course.” Daniel did not move as I stood up, which put me close to him. He regarded me with eyes so very blue, with a hint of gold inside them. “I wish . . .” he began softly.
I waited, but Daniel closed his mouth.
“You wish what?” I prompted.
Daniel lifted his fingers as though he’d trace my cheek, then dropped his hand. “I wish I could be everything you deserve, Mrs. Holloway.”
My heart beat a little bit faster. “Our lives are not our own,” I said, hearing my regret.
“No. They are not.” The distance between us increased, though I wasn’t aware of Daniel taking a step away. “But maybe one day, they will be.”
“That is my hope.”
Daniel smiled at the determination in my voice. “You teach me so much, Kat. You stare down the world and dare it to take anything away from you.”
“I’ve learned to. I’ve had very little in my life.” Now I had Grace. And for her, I’d fight the desert hordes in the Sudan if I had to.
“I’ve known strong men who despair at less adversity,” he said, “while you simply get on with things.”
“Despair does no one any good.” I tried to sound reasonable. “Best to dispense with it at once.”
Daniel’s smile broadened. He leaned down and kissed my cheek, his hand finding mine and warming it. “I always feel better for having been with you.”
I ought to have given him my usual scoff of “Nonsense” or “Get on with you, daft man,” but my emotions were topsy-turvy and the words would not form. He confused me greatly, did Daniel.
“Good night, Kat.” Daniel lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers.
Then he turned from me, disappearing into the shadows of the scullery. The door creaked, and he was gone.
* * *
* * *
The next day was Sunday. Mrs. Bywater had once again invited a slew of guests for tea, including, it turned out, Miss Townsend. Mrs. Bywater sent word down with Mrs. Redfern that I was to create a fine meal to serve twelve.
Mrs. Redfern delivered the news with apology and stood by while I ranted.
“She has no idea at all what it takes to produce such a feast.” I snatched a copper pot from the rack and slammed it to the stove. “It is Sunday. The markets are closed. If she had told me yesterday, I could have spent the afternoon shopping for what I need.”
“The tea was a last-minute idea,” Mrs. Redfern said. Her hands rested quietly on her abdomen, but her ever-present keys clinked. “The mistress wishes to introduce Miss Townsend to her friends, and also to her friends’ sons, hoping for Miss Townsend’s opinion on the young men, and whether they will suit for Lady Cynthia.”
“Oh, good heavens,” I snapped. “I thought she’d left off all that.”
“Mrs. Bywater wishes to consult Miss Townsend before she resumes her matchmaking schemes. Lady Cynthia will not be joining them, in any case.”
Indeed, no. Lady Cynthia would put on a frock and go out and do charitable work today, to which Mrs. Bywater had readily agreed. Mr. Thanos had answered my note, again via James, that he would be pleased to escort her.
I banged down another pot. “Even so, she must realize she will drive Lady Cynthia mad, or at least goad her to take some foolish step.”
“That’s not for us to say.” Mrs. Redfern sent me a superior look, but I knew she had plenty of opinions on the subject. I’d heard her tell them to Mr. Davis when she thought no one could hear.
Mrs. Redfern left me and Tess to get on with things. I was studying my notebook, trying to do decide what I could toss together with the ingredients I had on hand, when Lady Cynthia came down to the kitchen to inform me she was going. She’d dressed herself in a slim blue