I saw him realize he’d taken the wrong tack. He became instantly contrite. “Forgive me. I put it badly. I meant that you and my brother are great friends. He might tell you anything he’d discovered before he would me. I’m afraid he does not trust me.”

I did not soften. “I cannot be surprised. But no. I haven’t spoken to Daniel since we parted yesterday afternoon.”

“Ah.” He looked disappointed. “Then I apologize for annoying you. But what happened to Nell has thrown me all in a flutter.” In spite of his light words, I saw a flash of grief in Mr. Fielding’s eyes, raw and powerful. “I long to bring her assailants to justice.”

I rather thought he wanted to show them the might of his fists, but I kept silent on that matter.

“I am very sorry for her,” I said gently. “I too wish to see the villains found.”

Mr. Fielding let out a sigh, abandoning his pretense at simple curiosity. “Shall we sit?”

I was not comfortable being seated in the mistress’s parlor, but I saw sense in us not standing rigidly in the center of the room. I perched on the edge of the sofa, and Mr. Fielding resumed the wing chair.

He took time to look me over—I imagined he was deciding how to broach whatever subject was truly on his mind.

I’d noted that he did this with every person he met. Took them in and assessed their measure. Only then would he speak, tailoring his words carefully.

“How is Daniel?” he asked as though the question was incidental. “I mean in general. I haven’t spoken to him in years, but he seems to have prospered. Seems, anyway. He is friendly with the police, which is quite a change. So many a time I witnessed young Daniel speed from the constables.”

He chuckled, and I permitted myself a smile. If Mr. Fielding could take the measure of people, so could I—his true purpose today was to fish information from me about Daniel.

“I am afraid I can’t tell you much,” I said. “Daniel does not confide in me.”

Mr. Fielding’s brows went up. “Does he not? And yet, he speaks to you in a far more open manner than he ever did anyone. Including me, the man raised as his brother. He is very fond of you, I believe.”

“And I am fond of him. But I speak the truth. I know Daniel works as a deliveryman and sometimes assists the police, but that is all.” I saw no reason not to impart any further information than Mr. Fielding already seemed to know.