Shaw was right, then the children hadn’t been taken by procurers after all. Perhaps they were safe. But I would make certain of it.
I made Mrs. Shaw drink the brandy, which quieted her. I gave it to her not out of compassion, but so she wouldn’t bring the maids, footmen, Mrs. Redfern, or Mr. Davis down to inquire what was the matter.
It did bring Elsie, and I regarded her calmly. “Elsie, will you accompany Mrs. Shaw back to the Foundling Hospital? You will find James there—tell him to run for Mr. McAdam. And Bessie, will you please find out where this farm is, if Mrs. Shaw does not know?”
Mrs. Shaw continued to weep. She’d been the perfect dupe.
“I’ll just finish me scone and all this clotted cream,” Bessie said, lifting the half-eaten thing to shove into her mouth. “Haven’t had a treat like this in . . . ooh, never have, I don’t think.”
“I will wrap up the rest for you,” I said, feeling generous toward the young woman. “Thank you, Bessie. You have been of enormous help.”
* * *
* * *
I sent Mrs. Shaw, Bessie, and Elsie—and a basket packed with tarts, scones, and cakes—off in a hansom to the Foundling Hospital. I knew Elsie would fetch James, who would fetch Daniel, who would be willing to run to the ends of the earth to discover the truth.
“Well,” Tess said as she helped me clear up. “What a silly old fool.”
I had to agree. “I daresay this man knew exactly how to flatter Mrs. Shaw. I only hope she hasn’t caused more harm with her thoughtlessness. Poor Nurse Betts.”
“Why’d Miss Betts run to Whitechapel?” Tess carried plates to the sink, beginning to wash up without being asked. “Why not run back to the Foundling Hospital?”
“She was looking for Mr. Fielding,” I said, knowing in my heart I was right. “But she wasn’t certain of the direction of his church. She wanted to tell him what she’d found, and that she’d feared the children had been sold to the bawdy house. She and Mr. Fielding had become friends, perhaps more than that, and he was one of the governors himself. He’d know what to do.”
My heart ached for her and Mr. Fielding both. The lady might have been good for him, softening what was hard in him. I wondered if Mr. Fielding would ever let himself care so much again.
As I began to take out pots to begin the next meal, Mr. Davis arrived. “They’re asking for you above stairs,” he said. “You are much in demand, Mrs. H.” He said it good-naturedly, and not in surprise.
I sighed and untied my apron. “Nothing for it, I suppose.”
I walked upstairs with Mr. Davis, who returned to supervise the serving, steeling myself to face a crowd. At least Cynthia and Mr. Thanos would be there, and I could take comfort in their presence through the scrutiny.
When Mr. Davis opened the drawing room door, I stopped in astonishment. Miss Townsend sat resplendent near the window, given the best chair in the room.
She rose gracefully. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Holloway. Once again, I bow to your prowess. You do have a divine cook, Mrs. Bywater.”
Mrs. Bywater, flattered, simpered. “She does well. Follows instructions quite nicely.”
I held my tongue and curtsied, as was polite, but my knees had gone weak in relief at the sight of Miss Townsend. I’d feared the worst for her, worried she’d gone to investigate as Nurse Betts had done and come to the same fate.
“She’s been painting like fury,” Cynthia said, with an admonishing look at her. “Never letting her friends know she’d shut herself up, living on bread and water, working away like a demon.”
Miss Townsend gave me her beautiful smile. “I forget the passing days when I paint. Bread and water is a bit of exaggeration though, Cynthia. I do take a moment for a cup of tea.”
Mrs. Bywater’s friends laughed, finding Miss Townsend incredibly witty. Cynthia joined them.
Mr. Thanos, who’d risen politely at my entrance, gave me a nod. “It really is a splendid tea, Mrs. Holloway. You have outdone yourself.”
I gave him another curtsy, pleased. “Only a bit of plain cooking, sir. As I do every day.”
Mr. Thanos began a protest, but I managed to retreat. No one had offered me a coin this time either, but today, I really didn’t mind.
* * *
* * *
The next morning was my full day out, and I rose early, anxious to begin it. I hadn’t heard a word from