Daniel flashed me the smile that never failed to warm me. “Thank you, Kat.”
Mr. Fielding noticed what passed between us with sudden interest. “Ever the charmer, is our Daniel. Do not believe anything he says, Mrs. Holloway. You can take my word as a vicar on that.”
“You weren’t always a vicar,” Daniel said darkly.
Mr. Fielding burst out laughing, an impudent sound that did not go with this solemn place. “That is true. Reprobate, as I said, but I am now respectable and reformed—mostly.” His merriment faded. “I truly am concerned, Mrs. Holloway. I’d rest easier knowing these children were well.”
The look he gave me was sincere, a kindly one in a handsome face. He claimed Daniel was a charmer, but I saw that this man too could charm, laughing at himself while showing sincerity deep in his eyes.
There was something else in those eyes as well, I’d seen when he’d spoken the name of the missing nurse. A worry that had changed into fear, one that had made him seek Daniel, a fellow survivor from his distant past. I very much wanted to know more about Nurse Betts and what she meant to Mr. Fielding.
* * *
* * *
Daniel walked me home. I could have gone perfectly well by myself—after all, I’d arrived on my own—but he led me out into the rain, hand firm on my elbow.
It was not far to Mount Street, but the wind had picked up, and the going became arduous. With some relief, I descended the stairs that led from the street to my kitchen, glad to be out of the wind, though the stairwell was quite dark. Very clean, however. Mrs. Redfern, our new housekeeper, was diligent about sending a maid and a footman out to clear and scrub the steps.
Daniel descended with me, but before I could open the back door, he pulled me to a halt. “I am glad to see you, Kat.”
The warmth in his voice was agreeable, but the cold wind was foul, and I’d prefer to speak to him out of the weather.
“Come in and have tea,” I said. “I still have a bit left from Mr. Li.” A Chinese man I’d done a kindness for had rewarded me with a gift of exquisite leaves directly from China.
Daniel was already shaking his head. “Things to do, and I’m late.” He closed in on me under the stairs, which was also agreeable, though I realized he merely wished to not be overheard.
“You are good to help, and I knew you would be,” he said in a low voice. “But have a care with my brother. He has taken a collar and proclaims himself a virtuous man, but his motives are not always clear.”
“Yes, I gathered that.”
“Did you? All I heard was his smooth tongue trying to convince you he’d reformed.”
“My dear Daniel, my head is not easily turned by a handsome gentleman,” I said. “He tried too hard to be convincing.”
Daniel relaxed. “I know you are no fool, but Errol can be beguiling.”
“What intrigues me more is that you have said not one word about him. Nor made any mention you had a brother at all.”
Daniel’s grin flashed. “Foster brother. There is a saying—Least said . . . soonest forgotten.”
“It is Least said, soonest mended. You are evading the question.”
“I am.” Daniel’s eyes glittered in the darkness. “I will tell you all about dear brother Errol another time, when we are warmer and cozier, and I am not in such a rush. For now—do not trust him. He has the voice of an angel, but Lucifer was once an angel, remember.”
The warning made me shiver—or perhaps it was the wind. “You sound dire.”
“Errol was a bad ’un once, and I have no reason to suppose he’s changed.”
I grew more curious. “How long since you’ve spoken to him?”
Daniel rubbed his chin. “Ten years? Possibly. I’d hoped it would be longer, but today he too easily found me. Have a care of him, Kat.”
He leaned closer and fulfilled my earlier wish by kissing me lightly on the lips. The merest brush, but a spark jumped inside me to ease the cold.
Daniel drew a thick-gloved finger across my cheek. “Good night, Kat.” He paused, as though he’d turn and go, then he said, “I missed you.”
I could have responded with something sentimental, such as, I missed you too. Please don’t stay away so long again.
But sentimentality embarrassed me, and I said instead, “You