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 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.