Page 92 of Murder in Blackfriars

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We spent a fine afternoon in the Meades’ sitting room, looking through the photo books, asking and answering questions, and drinking cups of tea and devouring scones. The scones were tasty, but I would one day have a word with the cook, Mrs. Bullen, and explain how to keep them rich and not too dry.

Once Daniel recovered himself, he exuded his usual geniality, making his cousin and her husband laugh. Just like Aunt Rose, they both agreed.

They were delighted to learn of James, whom Daniel promised to bring to meet them as soon as could be arranged, and also delighted that Daniel and I were to marry in the coming summer.

I told them of Grace and also of her nearing departure. April instantly suggested that Richmond would be a wonderful halfway meeting point between London and Basingstoke.I knew I could not bring myself to impose on them, but it was good of her to offer.

We also met Jemmy, who came downstairs, declaring he’d finished his reading and was curious about the visitors. He was a lad of about ten years, with a head of dark hair and hazel eyes like his father.

Jemmy was a bit puzzled by the fuss over finding a long-lost cousin, but he greeted Daniel in a friendly fashion. Daniel had a way with children and soon had the boy chattering about many things. I liked that neither of his parents tried to curtail him.

They were kind, these people. I saw in April the need to help, to reassure, that Daniel had, and also his impishness. She had some of his mannerisms as well, like his tendency to jump when he saw or heard something that pleased him, and then break into a wide smile.

I did not want to bring up the fact that Mr. Patterson claimed April’s father was a brutal man, because she did not have the quiet watchfulness that those who had been raised by harsh parents did.

But we did have to explain, at length, how we’d come to discover them and learned of Daniel’s parentage at long last.

April listened, her brow puckering. “Aunt Rose’s dad was an odd man,” she said. “Very set in his ways and didn’t like losing Rose to another. She tried to coax him to come live with her and Uncle Robert, but he refused.” She laughed. “Couldn’t bring himself to live in our dull neighborhood, I was told.”

I laughed with her to be polite, but I grew irritated once more at Mr. Patterson. Rose had been happy. Mr. Patterson shouldn’t have tried to prevent that, and he’d had no business taking Daniel from this place either.

“I suppose they read me books about the seaside, mymother and father.” Again Daniel faltered on the words. “Kat was very certain of it.”

“They purchased one,” I told April. “From a shop either on or near Oxford Street.”

“Goodness, I suppose they did,” April said. “How did you know that? I do remember Rose reading to me and Robbie both. I must have been seven years old at the time.” She lost her smile. “I didn’t really understand what my parents meant when they said you’d gone, Robbie. I mean, Daniel.”

“Mr. Patterson thought Robbie would be safer with him after his parents passed away,” I explained. “Or at least, with his friend, Mrs. Kerr. She was good to him.”

April’s brow puckered. “My father could bluster, but he was harmless. We all knew it. It was easy to turn him up sweet.”

I believed her. A man who’d take in his brother’s son without question and then anxiously report him missing to the police did not speak of cruelty.

April insisted I explain how I knew about the book. I started with the fact that Daniel apparently had formed a great attachment to it, then went on to my encounter with Mrs. Davies in the bookshop, as well as the help of our friends. Both April and her husband were amazed and also touchingly grateful.

We stayed until the shadows lengthened, and I knew I had to return to Mount Street. I offered to go by myself while Daniel stayed, but he negated that quite robustly.

We took our leave with much handshaking and also embracing, and Daniel and I walked back toward the train station, my heart full.

“I am so very happy,” I said as we wandered past one of the leafy parks on our way. “You have found your family at last.”

“Because of you.” Daniel turned me to face him andshocked the good citizens of Richmond by taking me into his arms and kissing me. “Thank you.”

“Not at all,” I murmured, my hands resting over his heart. “It was my pleasure.”

Daniel broke into his warm smile. “And now they will be your family as well. Can you endure having so many people in your life?”

“I believe I can, Mr. McAdam. Or shall I call you Mr. Munro?”

Daniel shook his head. “I made myself McAdam, and that is who met the beautiful Kat. I’m used to him now, and I think I’ll keep him.”

“Good.” I kissed him again, only a brush of lips this time. “I believe I will keep him too.”

* * *

For the first time in years, I woke on a Thursday morning with dread in my heart. Today, Grace would leave London for Basingstoke.