“I don’t give a hang for that.” Mr. Fielding’s handsome expression revealed more of the street boy he’d been and far less of the educated vicar he’d become. “Let them do their worst.”

“I like that.” Lady Cynthia surged from her chair and fetched her hat. “You can get them banged up and then pray for their souls. The best of both worlds.”

Mr. Fielding sent her an impudent grin, looking much like Daniel in that moment. “I agree, dear lady. I agree.”

*   *   *

So he is Daniel McAdam’s brother,” Cynthia said as we settled into another hansom. This cabbie’s temper was a bit better, I was relieved to see. “Or as close as.”

“Yes. I do not quite know what to make of him.”

“Handsome devil.” Cynthia adjusted the satchel under the seat and pulled her coat closer against the cold. “Knows it, I wager.”

“It is the devil part I worry about. Daniel does not trust him—he acknowledged that.”

“Hmm, well. My sister and I, you know, were blood related and brought up by the same parents, and turned out to be very different people. Our brother too.”

Cynthia rarely spoke about her brother, who had taken his own life, nor her sister, also deceased. The memories were not comfortable.

I at least had pried out of Mr. Fielding before we left him the addresses the director had given him. He’d declared they wouldn’t be useful, and he was likely right, but I was curious.

I felt bold enough to pat Cynthia’s hand. “I appreciate your help.”

“Not at all.” The words rang with sincerity. She truly was kindhearted.

“If you go to the Foundling Hospital to observe the children, you ought to take Mr. Thanos,” I said. “It would look more natural for a young woman to go with a young man.”

Cynthia’s cheeks went bright red. “Thanos? Yes. Yes, I can see that.”

“I will ask him,” I said.

“Not necessary—”

“Yes,” I interrupted. “I will be less likely to stammer and blush, and he will be less likely to turn me down—not because he would not wish to help, but he would be stammering and blushing too, if you asked.”

“You are blunt today,” Cynthia said with a wan smile. “Is it because I wakened you in the middle of the night?”

“I am practical, is all. I will ask Mr. Thanos and arrange it. Neither of you need to be nervous.”

“Very well, then. You shall play go-between, and Mr. Thanos and I will toddle along when you say.” She glanced at the buildings going by, Aldgate Street changing to Leadenhall. “Where to now?”

“Home,” I said.

“Not a bit of it.” Cynthia folded her arms. “I’m not going back there. And neither are you.”

9

It wasn’t my home, or hers either really, but I gave her a firm look.