Murder in the East End - Jennifer Ashley Page 0,95
Daniel, but Elsie, upon her return last night, assured me that she’d given the message to James to find him.
When Bessie, in Elsie’s hearing, had demanded Mrs. Shaw make inquiries about the location of the farm, James had declared before that lady could answer—“Oh, I know where it is,” and raced away, presumably in search of Daniel
I had no doubt James knew exactly where the farm lay, though he might not have understood the significance of this knowledge. He was good at ferreting out things with no one being the wiser, which was precisely why Daniel had put him in place at the Hospital. I hadn’t approved, fearing danger to James, but I had to admit Daniel had been wise to let him nose about.
Tess and I prepared breakfast, and then I changed my frock, putting on my brown dress and hat I’d managed to repair. I wanted to look my best for Grace. Today would be hers.
When I reached the top of the outside stairs, I found Daniel, in his working clothes, lounging against the railing. His face lit with his smile when he saw me.
“I’ve come to steal you away, Kat. A jaunt to Shadwell, and then I’ll take you to Grace. I thought you’d like to look in on the children Errol took in.”
I did wish to, and had planned to later this afternoon. But Daniel had provided a coach once more, as I found when he walked me around the corner to South Audley Street, the faithful Lewis to drive it. I decided not to turn down the opportunity for a comfortable ride.
Daniel handed me in and sat beside me as the carriage bumped slowly through traffic toward Oxford Street.
“I found them, Kat,” he said.
I exhaled. “I hadn’t wanted to ask. Too afraid of the answer.”
“James knew exactly where the farm lay—I have not asked him how he found out, because I’m certain it’s best not to know. I rounded up several men from the board, including Bishop Exley, and off we went. They were reluctant at first, but Lord Russell is horrified by this affair and insisted. All five children are safe and sound. The farm is a place—one of several—where they take babies who are gravely ill when their mothers leave them at the Hospital’s gates. They are fostered there until they can be nursed back to health. It’s a safe place, and would not be suspicious if the older children were found there. Two of the children couldn’t wait to return to London, but the other three begged to be allowed to stay at the farm. They enjoyed working with the animals and having fresh air, as cold as it was.” Daniel put his hand on mine. “So . . . All’s well that ends well.”
“What about Bishop Exley?” I asked, my heart warm with relief. “He instigated this plot. I hope it won’t end well for him.”
“Lord Russell has raked him over the coals already. Exley will have to give over the amount he managed to gain from rather gullible donors and be reprimanded and shamed. If he has already spent the money on luxuries for himself—well, that is his misfortune. He’ll have to come up with the sum in any case. He’s clergy, and has connections in the aristocracy, so he might not be arrested and prosecuted for fraud, but he’ll never be trusted again. And he’ll be retired from running a parish, Lord Russell vows, as well as dismissed from the Foundling Hospital board.”
“A pity.” I frowned. “It seems too easy for him. He ought to answer for Nurse Betts’s death. As should Luke.”
“I made certain Exley knew what happened to her and why. He was guilt-stricken, I am happy to say, and I hope it haunts him. Inspector McGregor was not kind to him, but as I say, an arrest won’t stick. Though he’ll be watched.”
I sank back. “I am glad the children are all right. More than glad. I was sick at heart for them.” I closed my eyes, basking in the realization that all was truly well. When the coach rounded the corner and started for High Holborn, I opened my eyes again. “Miss Townsend is safe too, I am pleased to relate.”
“Yes, Thanos told me. I brought him in to explain to Lord Russell and McGregor about the swindle. Thanos said Miss Townsend had returned home and he is eager to see what she’s painted. He also went on and on about the tea he’d been