I alighted there with her, but Daniel, remaining in his breezy persona, offered to take me to the nearest Metropolitan station. Mrs. Compton, with a whispered warning to me to have a care of him and go straight into the station, left us.

Daniel went sober as I returned from seeing Mrs. Compton inside. “I’ll drive you all the way to Mayfair, Kat. Too nasty a night for you to be running home from the trains.”

“There is always an omnibus, or a hansom,” I said in a cool tone.

“Difficult to find a hansom in this mess.” His grin flashed. “Save you the fare.”

“What about your other deliveries? There is still produce in the back.”

“Can wait.” His chipper manner did not hide the dark glint in his eyes. “I’d rather see you safely home, and you know this. Then I will go visit my brother.”

“You heard Mrs. Compton then?” I asked.

“Indeed I did. Another reason I wished to drive you, Kat. To eavesdrop.”

So I had gathered. “I’d like to visit Mr. Fielding with you,” I said grimly. “He omitted the fact that he and Nurse Betts have been friendly, didn’t he? Monday, I will take my half day and go.”

“I plan to wring his neck sooner than that. But if he is still alive by Monday, certainly, you may speak to him.”

Daniel ended the conversation by helping me once more into the back of the van, which, true, would be warmer and drier than sitting up front with him. He settled me in and closed the door against the wind and rain.

As he drove along Lamb’s Conduit Street to Red Lion and so to High Holborn, I had plenty of time to ruminate over the fact that Mr. Fielding had known Nurse Betts well, indeed was walking out with her. I wanted to question him very much indeed.

We made our slow way to Mayfair, and Daniel helped me down in front of the Mount Street house.

“I might come tomorrow night . . . No, make it the next,” Daniel said quietly as he steadied me. “That is, if you’ll see me.”

He spoke almost deferentially, for Daniel. I was still not happy with him for his reticence concerning Miss Townsend—and anything else he refused to tell me. He and his brother had much in common in that regard. But it was not expedient at the moment to refuse him.

“I will receive you,” I said, giving him a nod. “If only to discuss this distressing matter.”

“Excellent.” Daniel smiled and pressed my hands. “Go in and stay warm, Kat.”

“Good night.” I withdrew quickly from his grasp and turned for the stairs, not trusting myself to say more.

I knew Daniel watched me descend the stairs. I felt him. Only when I shut the door below did I see the van list as he climbed to the seat, and the patient horse clop slowly away.