Page 46 of A Silence in Belgrave Square (Below Stairs #8)

We studied each other. I blessed the day Daniel had happened into my kitchen, with his wide grin and blue eyes I’d not been able to forget.

I continued to bless my luck every day that Daniel was there to walk alongside me and to catch me when I fell.

He’d seen a part of me that I dared show no one else, and he knew me better than anyone but Grace.

“You are unwilling to keep me from my dreams,” I said slowly. “I should be unwilling to keep you from yours.”

“I admit that baking for a tea shop will be less dangerous than infiltrating anarchist gangs.”

I huffed a laugh. “You’ve not encountered ladies in tea shops who are displeased with what they have been served. It will not be as easy as you imagine.”

Daniel acknowledged this with a nod and smile as he tucked into his lemon cake once more.

I glanced into my cup, saw that it was empty, and refilled both it and his. “I suppose I can learn to be the wife of a policeman.”

“And I suppose I can be husband to a grand baker in a tea shop.”

I lifted my cup in toast to him.

We were both still uncertain, but something had been settled between us. We’d carry on, each of us not giving up our entire lives for the other, but being there for each other whenever needed.

“There is another reason I want to wait,” Daniel announced.

I stiffened, but answered casually. “And what is that?”

“I want to investigate my own life. Find out where I came from, how I ended up on the streets, and what exactly happened to Carter. What my real name is.”

Because Daniel didn’t know. In his life, he’d never found the answer to any of these things.

It struck me, as I listened to him, that I’d always been secure in the knowledge of myself, no matter what had happened—losing my mother, entering a false marriage with a brutal man, fearing I’d have to give my child to strangers, working my fingers raw to keep her.

Through it all, I’d always been me, Kat Holloway of Bow Lane, daughter of a good-hearted woman and a man my mother had loved to her dying day, though she’d lost him soon after my birth.

Daniel had never possessed the sense that, no matter what, he was rooted in himself.

I reached for him, squeezing the broad hands that had held me up so many times. “So you should,” I said softly. “I will help you any way I can.”

“It might be dangerous,” Daniel warned.

I raised one of his hands to my lips and kissed the backs of his fingers. “If it involves you, of course it will be. But I am going to help. You can depend upon it.”

* * *

When Monday afternoon came, I left Tess baking scones for yet another of Mrs.Bywater’s infernal teas and sailed forth to enjoy my half day out.

Daniel met me at the end of Mount Street, and we traveled by hansom to Cheapside. We’d agreed to keep silent to our friends about our betrothal—how strange to be betrothed!—for a time, until we worked out our precise plans.

However, I would tell Grace. I’d not hide from my daughter an event that would change her life. She could be trusted to keep the secret. Besides, I wanted to celebrate with her.

We said little when we entered Joanna’s house and again as we took another hansom back across the city with Grace to Portobello Road.

I carried some of my folded banknotes in my pocket, ready to spend them on cloth for my new frock.

I’d argued with myself that I ought to return Lady Fontaine’s fee, as I’d only pretended to be a medium.

But then, I truly had figured out how her brother had died, so perhaps I was right to keep it.

I wasn’t certain what had become of Lady Fontaine, in any case.

We wandered through the market, Grace enchanted with the many stalls with all their wares. Daniel and I walked with her between us, halting often to let her browse the tables.

I took my time looking over bright bolts of cloth a few vendors displayed.

I wanted fabric that would be durable but would also drape well and make a pretty frock.

Daniel waited with the patience of a man letting his female friends pore over and reject choices that likely seemed perfectly fine to him.

Grace and I at last chose a dark blue broadcloth and added black piping and blue-violet lace to trim it. It was satisfying to pay over the cash for the fine cloth, without having to quibble about the price.

Daniel tucked my packages under his arms without complaint, and we continued up the hill to the stall near the top.

I hadn’t been certain she’d be there, but two stout ladies in front of her table listened as Hannah charmed them with improbable tales about the trinkets she was goading them to buy.

The women took their purchases and strolled on, while Hannah, dressed again in her bright blue skirt and black jacket, feathered hat on her dark hair, straightened up the wares.

When she lifted her head and saw us, she gasped in delight, then moved swiftly around her table and flung her arms around me.

“Here you are, Katie, me darling. She saved me life,” she informed startled passersby and neighboring stallholders. “I’d be in a pile of bits if not for this lady rushing to my rescue.”

“And if not for your son,” I said when Hannah released me from her crushing hug. “I’d never have come at all if he hadn’t realized something was wrong.”

“Don’t I know it, and hasn’t he been scolding me something fierce?” Hannah turned and called into the draperies behind her stall. “?’Ere. Our Sean. Come out and say good afternoon.”

Adam—Sean—emerged from where I assumed Hannah kept her excess stock, his young face bearing a scowl. “Yeah? What’ye want?”

“Is that any way to greet our friends?” Hannah admonished good-naturedly. “He won’t bugger off and let me get on with things,” she informed us. “He’s sure I’ll fall into the hands of some ruffian once I’m out of his sight.”

“Well, you did already, didn’t you?” Sean demanded. “Haven’t got the sense not to run into a villain’s house and get yourself tied up. You should be smarter, like Mrs.Holloway. She sent for help.”

“Don’t be so cheeky to your old mum,” Hannah chided, but I saw her pride in him. “Now, Katie, this must be your little girl. She’s the spitting image of you, ain’t she?”

“This is Grace, yes,” I said, my heart swelling.

Hannah bent to Grace. “How are you, young lady? I’m Hannah, your mum’s old mate. I used to be a tea leaf, but otherwise, I ain’t a bad sort.”

“How do you do?” Grace said formally, and the two shook hands. “My mum’s told me all about you.”

“That is probably not good.” Hannah laughed. “Now, Grace, you look over me wares and take anything you want home. My gift to you.”

Grace glanced to me for confirmation, and I gave her a nod. Grace eagerly began scanning the trinkets, and Sean joined her, pointing out a few of the nicer bits. His claim that they came from a princess’s dressing table didn’t take in Grace.

Hannah turned from them and gave Daniel a bold once-over. “And here you are, looking like an ordinary bloke. Is that the true you? Or another disguise?”

Daniel spread one hand. “I am as you see me.” He wore his workingman’s clothes with a light woolen jacket against the spring breeze. It was the first of June, and the days would soon warm, but the wind still kept us cool.

“I have to say, I like you better than that ever-so-haughty and rather dim-witted gentleman’s son, don’t you know.” Hannah let her accent become toffy before she relaxed into another grin. “Nice to make your acquaintance, Danny McAdam.”

“And you,” Daniel said. “I will say I prefer you to Marjory, the stuffy maid.”

“She were a one, weren’t she?” Hannah returned her attention to me.

“By the way, I introduced Lady Fontaine to a mate of mine, a woman who is used to looking after genteel old ladies. Me pal used to run confidence games herself, and she’s well acquainted with those who can’t help themselves stealing.

She’ll look after her ladyship and help her get a pension of some kind out of Lord Peyton’s heir.

Her ladyship is in good hands, you can be sure. ”

“I am glad,” I said in true relief. “Lady Fontaine is silly but doesn’t deserve to be shifted about like she was.”

“Or used by a mean old man,” Hannah said decidedly.

“I gave Lord Downes a nice kick as he was dragged away. Of course, the police took me in with them to ask all sorts of questions, but since I was still prissy Marjory I went along with it. Was terribly shocked by it all and worried for her ladyship. They released me and let me take her home.”

“You are kinder than you know,” I told her.

Hannah shrugged. “Maybe. But I think I’ll stick to me table of trinkets for a time now. Sean is a great one for helping.”

“I’ve been giving some thought to your idea of having a stall here for my baked goods,” I said. Daniel, who’d been watching Grace look over Hannah’s things, turned to me in curiosity. I hadn’t mentioned this to him yet.

“Have ye, now?” Hannah eyed me speculatively. “You’d do well with it, I’d wager.”

“Not every day,” I said quickly. “Or even every week. I’d start with perhaps one day a month, and see how things go.”

“Good on you.” Hannah pressed her hands together. “I’ll help you any way I can, Katie. You can depend on it. And I know just the spot.”

* * *

Before we took our leave, Hannah showed me the place she had in mind, a space halfway down Portobello Road she said she could help me get the lease for. There was plenty of foot traffic in that area and no other food stalls too close.

I collected Grace, who’d chosen a porcelain brush and comb set from Hannah’s stock.

Grace thanked Hannah sincerely, and I handed Hannah a half dozen scones I’d brought for her in my basket.

Hannah accepted them with eager thanks, already sharing them out with Sean as the three of us started back down the road.

Once in the hansom, packages piled around us, I turned to Grace.

“What would you say if I told you your old mum has decided to marry Daniel?” I asked her.

Grace studied me, her blue eyes serene. “I would say it was about time.”

I stared at her in surprise. I’d worried mightily over this moment, but I should have known Grace would take the news without turning a hair.

“Is that all?” I demanded, while Daniel chuckled in high amusement.

“No, I think it is splendid.” Grace pulled me into a firm hug. “I’ve wanted this for so long. You and Daniel belong together.”

I held my daughter tightly, fears easing. “I’m glad,” I whispered. “Thank you, my love.”

Grace released me and turned to embrace Daniel, who returned the hug with wonder.

“Does this mean James will be my brother?” Grace asked when we all were finished gushing.

“I suppose it does,” I answered, watching her carefully.

“Good. I’ve always wanted a brother.” Grace leaned to me, confiding. “Though I believe he’s sweet on Jane. He’s always finding an excuse to come around for a visit.”

“Is he?” Daniel asked in consternation. “Well.”

I tried not to laugh at Daniel’s expression, but it was no use. Grace and I both fell about while Daniel shook his head, a father befuddled by his swiftly growing son.

When we reached Joanna’s, she raved about my choice of fabric and trimmings, and immediately fetched her scissors and sewing box.

I gazed about her sitting room as we unfolded the fabric and began to fit the pattern pieces I’d copied from the book I’d bought, and realized how rich I was.

The houses of luxury on Belgrave Square couldn’t compare to Joanna and Sam’s happy and crowded abode, with Grace next to me and Joanna’s daughters eagerly reaching for pins to help start my new gown.

Daniel sat apart with a cup of tea, chatting to Joanna’s boys with unfeigned ease. Daniel, who’d known no parents, had learned to find family and enjoy them wherever he could.

As the afternoon waned, Sam returned from his new post at the solicitor’s office and joined in the male conversation, smiling at his wife with true joy. Daniel’s gaze at me held the same amount of tenderness.

My life was full and stood to become even fuller. As I basked in the warmth of my friends, my daughter, and my love, I knew that there was no woman in London better off than I was at this moment.