a dusting of mace. More tart dough covered the tops, and in they went to the oven, fueled by Charlie.
Thinking of the children yesterday, I gave the boy an impulsive hug, promising he’d always have a home here. Charlie gave me the puckered frown of a ten-year-old not understanding what an adult was on about, but tolerated the hug. He knew I did daft things from time to time.
Tess ran a finger through the empty filling bowl, scooping up the remnants of cheesy custard and popping them into her mouth. I pretended I didn’t see her but assigned her the washing up, as Elsie was out.
I kept several of the tarts back for us when I sent up the evening meal. Elsie returned after the February night had fallen, and I lit the lamps.
“She wants to see you, Mrs. Holloway,” Elsie said as she tied on her apron to make a start on the supper dishes. “Bessie, I mean. She’s worried about something but wouldn’t talk to me.”
“Thank you,” I said to Elsie. “I will arrange something. Any more word on the children?”
“No.” Elsie pumped water into a tub and carried it to the stove to heat. “But no one seems alarmed. It’s very strange.”
“It is indeed.”
I would simply have to speak to Bessie, and soon, though I could invent only so many excuses for wandering about London. I pondered what to do the brief time I lay in bed before I fell into deep slumber, and the next morning, I decided to recruit help.
Mrs. Bywater had sent down instructions with Mrs. Redfern that I was to prepare a special tea for her gathering of female friends this afternoon. Mrs. Bywater had enjoyed the maids of honor at supper last night, and wanted more of those, plus petits fours, scones, sandwiches, and the like. It was a long list. I’d be preparing the feast all day.
I dropped word with Sara, the upstairs maid, to ask Lady Cynthia to step down to the kitchen whenever she had a moment. Not a quarter of an hour later, Cynthia strode into the kitchen in all eagerness.
“What is it, Mrs. H.?” she asked. “Thanos told me all sorts, and so did McAdam when he stopped at the pub on Bedford Square yesterday.” The pub had an upstairs room where writers and scholars, many of whom studied at the nearby British Museum and library, gathered to talk about art, history, poetry, and novels. Bluestockings were welcome, and Cynthia could meet Mr. Thanos there without courting scandal.
“I wondered if you’d be willing to go to the Foundling Hospital today,” I said as I continued rolling my new batch of puff pastry for the maids of honor. “Bessie wishes to speak to me—I thought perhaps you could bring her back here. Oh, and a housekeeper called Mrs. Shaw. She might know things without realizing.”
“Right ho.” Cynthia grinned. “I’ll dress up and play Lady Bountiful. Maybe take Thanos with me to lend credence. Perhaps the matrons will believe we want to reward the two ladies for services to the Hospital.”
“Don’t embellish too much.” I patted more butter into the dough and carefully folded it. “Let Bessie know she’s coming to see me, and she’ll likely find a way to leave. She’s clever.”
Cynthia’s eyes twinkled. “Never worry, Mrs. H. I’ll be a model of discretion.”
“You are kind to do this,” I said with sincerity. “I would not ask if there was another way.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m interested in this too, and happy to help.”
Before she could race away, I asked her, “Do you know what’s become of Miss Townsend?”
Cynthia’s cheerful mood evaporated. “No, indeed. We’re growing rather worried. She usually sends word.”
I hoped, I sincerely hoped, she’d not come to harm because of her assistance to us. Miss Townsend was a resourceful young woman, but danger did not always care. Nurse Betts had been resourceful as well.
“Let us keep a lookout for her,” I said.
Cynthia gave me a nod and skimmed out as quickly as she’d come in.
Tess and I continued preparations for the tea. To keep myself from fretting during the wait, I mixed and baked a large cake and covered it with buttercream and glacé fruit. It was a complicated endeavor, and the hours passed quickly. By the time I sent up all the tea things, arranged daintily on porcelain plates, Cynthia returned.
Behind her came Bessie, a scowl on her face, and Mrs. Shaw. I saw Mr. Thanos’s boots above, but he disappeared from view.
“Thanos was invited