Page 37 of Guardian
The man swung the tip of his umbrella toward the house. “Do you know them? The Fairleighs?”
“Not at all.”
“Is it your first time seeing the house?” His manner was easy; he kept his curiosity about my presence friendly.
There was no harm in telling him. “My sister works here in Mayfair, and I’ve come to walk her home. She’s only fourteen—although she doesn’t like me treating her like a child.”
A smile tugged at his mouth. “No, they don’t, do they? I have a sister who’s fourteen, too.”
“Oh?”
“Cathy. She still lives outside London, on our farm.” His eyes followed a carriage that slowed but then sped up and passed. “I imagine this has spooked your sister a bit.”
“I imagine it’s spooked everyone in the entire borough,” I corrected him. “With decent folks murdered in their beds.”
“Fair point.” He paused. “Is she to meet you here? Your sister?”
“No. I’ll meet her up the street.”
He looked concerned. “Do you feel safe walking? I’d be happy to escort you.”
I let a smile seep into my voice. “Kind of you, but it’s not needed. Besides, if you walked me home, you’d cause me all sorts of trouble with my husband.”
He chuckled. “What’s your name?”
“Mary Lacy.” It was a name I’d used before.
“And what do you do for work, Mrs. Lacy?”
“I’m a needlewoman,” I said, patting my pocket as if I had my needles in it.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sarah approaching. Her steps slowed as she saw me, and I twitched at my skirt with my left hand. She caught my signal and walked on, keeping her face toward the house.
“I should go find my sister,” I said once Sarah was out of sight. “She’ll be waiting.”
“Ah. Well, have a good evening,” he replied with a smile. “Home safely.”
I turned left and then left again toward Blackfriars Bridge, where I found Sarah peering about. As I approached, her shoulders lifted with a sigh. “I told you, you don’t have to come fetch me.”
“I wanted a chance to talk before you got home.”
Her face sobered. “Why? Are Billy and Tommy back?”
“No, they’re still gone,” I said. “James says they’re in Bermondsey.”
“So they’re not up here,” she said, visibly relieved. “And what’s happened to Josie?”
“She got six months.”
“Oh.” She wrapped her hand around my elbow, and we started for home.
“There’s something else I need to tell you,” I said. “Amelia has left the ring.”
Sarah’s fingers tightened. “And she’s asked you to head it.”
“No, no, no.” I couldn’t get it out fast enough.
She looked bewildered. “Who else would she ask?”
