Murder in the East End - Jennifer Ashley Page 0,85
glittering with rage.
“I see,” I said quietly. “There is more to that story, then.”
“There is.” Mr. Fielding sat straight in the seat, every inch of him brittle. “He took me in, all right, but I had to be grateful every day for his charity. He thought the way to bring out the goodness in a boy was to not spare the rod. I was to study hard, go to the school he chose, and make his name. Any transgression was brutally punished. Everyone praised him for his kindheartedness, and was amazed at how well I turned out.”
“How well he made them think you turned out,” I corrected. “I am so sorry, Mr. Fielding.”
Daniel removed his cap and ran a hand through his tangled hair. “So, all these years, when you lorded it over me that Symington believed in you enough to take you in while I had to live rough, hasn’t been quite true.”
“How could I tell you the truth?” Mr. Fielding demanded. “Admit that I’d been snatched from a life in the gutter by a man who beat me, belittled me, and locked me in an attic room night after night? All to release the devil from within me, he said.”
“I can’t believe you stayed in that room,” Daniel said in mild surprise. “You can pick locks faster than anyone I know. Why people bother with locks when they see you coming, I don’t know.”
“I stayed because he had food,” Mr. Fielding answered. “At least, I did at first. He also had a lot of money, and I relieved my torment by scheming ways to take it from him. Persuading him to send me to Balliol was a step. Being granted a living was another step. Getting myself elected to the Foundling Hospital board with all those aristos is yet another. One day, I plan to be in a position to ruin him. I will pound his reputation into the ground, and dance on it.”
“I see,” I repeated. I did, a number of things. “Now that members of the board might be procurers . . .”
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think they would be.” Mr. Fielding scrubbed at his close-cropped beard. “Bloody hypocritical blackguards. I will pull them down as well. To think I toadied to them, when they are just as foul as my benefactor. It shows, Daniel, that you can trust no one. No one. I’ve always said so.”
Daniel, I perceived, was not ready to disagree with him.
“I understand why you wish to ruin your so-called benefactor and these swindling, procuring governors,” I said. “I agree that you should. But you cannot lower yourself to their level. Embrace hard work, Mr. Fielding. That is what lifts one above the others. Hard work at your profession, being the best you can at what you do. Then you can hold your head up, and no one can take that satisfaction from you.”
Mr. Fielding stared at me a moment before he let out an incredulous laugh. “You are an amazing lady, Mrs. Holloway.” He shook his head, still laughing. “I suppose you sleep very well of nights.”
“I do, as a matter of fact.” I gave him a quelling frown. “Now, Daniel, you must tell me where we are going. You cannot mean to face Luke on your own.”
“Never fear,” Daniel said with firmness. “I have a few constables awaiting my orders, as well as McGregor anticipating my every report. I simply needed a direction.” He pointed at me. “You will remain in the coach.”
“I know what he looks like,” I argued. “But do not worry. I will hang back and let you and the constables wrestle Luke to the ground. I would like to see that man have his comeuppance.”
* * *
* * *
Lewis had no wish to take his carriage into the rookeries around Seven Dials, so we descended at Dudley Street and went on foot. The road the bullies had herded me down was in fact Great White Lion Street, the same road the children directed us to. A few narrow lanes opened from this street, none of which I wanted to enter.
It was afternoon, but shadows were thick here, and always would be, no matter how fair the day. With lowering February skies, it was dark in the rookery, even at this early hour. A noisome stench hovered, reminding me that this had been a place of decay and disease. I supposed things had improved since the time of the Great Plague, but today I