Page 5 of Murder in Blackfriars

“Well.” Joanna’s hesitation caught my attention.

“She does know, doesn’t she?” I asked. “I thought she had something on her mind this afternoon, but I had no chance to discover what.”

“I asked that she didn’t mention it until I spoke with you,” Joanna said. “Forgive me for that.”

“I imagine you and Sam discussed how best to break it to me,” I said, some of my good humor returning. “To make certain I didn’t go mad on Hampstead Heath, striding up and down, kicking over our picnic basket, and tearing out my hair.”

Joanna’s smile trembled. “Something like that.”

“Daniel would have had to tackle me to keep me quiet. Which, I suppose, would not have been so bad a thing.” My face heated at this admission, but only Joanna and I stood in this room, and she’d known me forever.

Joanna broke into a genuine laugh. “You are smitten, Kat Holloway. I am so pleased to see it.” She sobered. “Grace is notentirelycertain she wants to leave London. She is using her age and her worries for you as arguments. I decided to leavethatconversation to you.”

“Thank you very much,” I returned. “But quite right. Grace is my responsibility, and I need to explain what is best for her. The country will be much safer, I think. She is growing so beautiful.” I trailed off wistfully.

Grace’s dark hair had turned glossy, and her face had lost the roundness of childhood. She had a figure now, a sweet one that was certain to catch attention. Soon her skirts would reach her heels, and she’d put her hair up like the young lady she was becoming.

“She is indeed,” Joanna said. “I have taught her to be careful, but London is a dangerous place for the young. You and I know that well.”

“We were fast on our feet,” I acknowledged. “Grace is far more refined than we ever were, bless her. I will speak to her.”

“Good. Then she’ll abide by your wishes and cease plaguing me.”

My brows rose. “Grace? Plaguing? She is the sweetest child in creation.”

“She isyourchild.” Joanna’s look was half-teasing, half-serious. “With your formidable will.”

“That is so.” I could not help but burn with pride. “I am delighted for you and Sam, Joanna. I truly am. I am eager to seeyour new house. I will visit every Thursday at the very least, and plague you myself.”

“I can think of nothing better.”

Joanna and I embraced once more, both of us relieved that we’d come to some resolution. I would be miserable tonight, alone in my chamber, but I decided not to spoil Joanna’s happiness for her Sam.

When Joanna opened the parlor’s door to ask the maid to fetch my wraps, we found Grace sitting on the stairs, waiting for us.

I could not decide how much she’d heard, but Grace’s expression told me she knew Joanna had told me, and also that I’d not be pleased that she wished to remain in London.

“Walk out with me,” I told her.

Grace readily rose from her seat. The maid brought out our wraps, and once we were attired, Grace led the way out and took my arm as we strolled slowly down Clover Lane toward Cheapside.

“I don’t much want to go to Basingstoke,” Grace said before I could decide how to begin. “I know I am being ungrateful and difficult, but I’m old enough to understand what it will mean for me to leave London. I will have to leaveyou.”

Her hand tightened on my arm, and for a moment I feared my tears would come flooding back.

“I can travel to you every Thursday,” I said. “Never fear. Joanna has proposed that Mondays you come to London, if that can be arranged. I look forward to seeing the countryside. I am so rarely able to leave the metropolis.”

Grace’s glance at me indicated she saw through my cheery acceptance. “If you spend all your money on train tickets, it will take that much longer for you to save for your tea shop,” she pointed out. “Or the market stall you mean to begin.”

“I know that, but any sacrifice is worth—”

“Also, I have had a marvelous idea.”

It was the height of rudeness for a girl to interrupt her elders, especially her mother, but Grace’s eyes shone with such eagerness, I didn’t scold her.

“Oh, yes? What is this marvelous idea?”

Grace pulled me to a halt and faced me with enthusiasm. “Hannah has been pestering you to set up your stall in Portobello Road, has she not? She claims someone will swoop in and grab the spot she is keeping an eye on for you. Well, if we set up the stall before Aunt Joanna leaves, then I can stay in London and run it for you.”