We said little when we entered Joanna’s house and again as we took another hansom back across the city with Grace to Portobello Road.
I carried some of my folded banknotes in my pocket, ready to spend them on cloth for my new frock. I’d argued with myself that I ought to return Lady Fontaine’s fee, as I’d only pretended to be a medium. But then, I truly had figured out how her brother had died, so perhaps I was right to keep it. I wasn’t certain what had become of Lady Fontaine, in any case.
We wandered through the market, Grace enchanted with the many stalls with all their wares. Daniel and I walked with her between us, halting often to let her browse the tables.
I took my time looking over bright bolts of cloth a few vendors displayed. I wanted fabric that would be durable but would also drape well and make a pretty frock. Daniel waited with the patience of a man letting his female friends pore over and reject choices that likely seemed perfectly fine to him.
Grace and I at last chose a dark blue broadcloth and added black piping and blue-violet lace to trim it. It was satisfying to pay over the cash for the fine cloth, without having to quibble about the price.
Daniel tucked my packages under his arms without complaint, and we continued up the hill to the stall near the top.
I hadn’t been certain she’d be there, but two stout ladies infront of her table listened as Hannah charmed them with improbable tales about the trinkets she was goading them to buy. The women took their purchases and strolled on, while Hannah, dressed again in her bright blue skirt and black jacket, feathered hat on her dark hair, straightened up the wares.
When she lifted her head and saw us, she gasped in delight, then moved swiftly around her table and flung her arms around me.
“Here you are, Katie, me darling. She saved me life,” she informed startled passersby and neighboring stallholders. “I’d be in a pile of bits if not for this lady rushing to my rescue.”
“And if not for your son,” I said when Hannah released me from her crushing hug. “I’d never have come at all if he hadn’t realized something was wrong.”
“Don’t I know it, and hasn’t he been scolding me something fierce?” Hannah turned and called into the draperies behind her stall. “ ’Ere. Our Sean. Come out and say good afternoon.”
Adam—Sean—emerged from where I assumed Hannah kept her excess stock, his young face bearing a scowl. “Yeah? What’ye want?”
“Is that any way to greet our friends?” Hannah admonished good-naturedly. “He won’t bugger off and let me get on with things,” she informed us. “He’s sure I’ll fall into the hands of some ruffian once I’m out of his sight.”
“Well, you did already, didn’t you?” Sean demanded. “Haven’t got the sense not to run into a villain’s house and get yourself tied up. You should be smarter, like Mrs.Holloway.Shesent for help.”
“Don’t be so cheeky to your old mum,” Hannah chided, but I saw her pride in him. “Now, Katie, this must be your little girl. She’s the spitting image of you, ain’t she?”
“This is Grace, yes,” I said, my heart swelling.
Hannah bent to Grace. “How are you, young lady? I’m Hannah, your mum’s old mate. I used to be a tea leaf, but otherwise, I ain’t a bad sort.”
“How do you do?” Grace said formally, and the two shook hands. “My mum’s told me all about you.”
“That is probably not good.” Hannah laughed. “Now, Grace, you look over me wares and take anything you want home. My gift to you.”
Grace glanced to me for confirmation, and I gave her a nod. Grace eagerly began scanning the trinkets, and Sean joined her, pointing out a few of the nicer bits. His claim that they came from a princess’s dressing table didn’t take in Grace.
Hannah turned from them and gave Daniel a bold once-over. “And hereyouare, looking like an ordinary bloke. Is that the true you? Or another disguise?”
Daniel spread one hand. “I am as you see me.” He wore his workingman’s clothes with a light woolen jacket against the spring breeze. It was the first of June, and the days would soon warm, but the wind still kept us cool.
“I have to say, I like you better than that ever-so-haughty and rather dim-witted gentleman’s son, don’t you know.” Hannah let her accent become toffy before she relaxed into another grin. “Nice to make your acquaintance, Danny McAdam.”
“And you,” Daniel said. “I will say I preferyouto Marjory, the stuffy maid.”
“She were a one, weren’t she?” Hannah returned her attention to me. “By the way, I introduced Lady Fontaine to a mate of mine, a woman who is used to looking after genteel old ladies. Me pal used to run confidence games herself, and she’s well acquainted with those who can’t help themselves stealing. She’ll look after her ladyship and help her get a pension ofsome kind out of Lord Peyton’s heir. Her ladyship is in good hands, you can be sure.”
“I am glad,” I said in true relief. “Lady Fontaine is silly but doesn’t deserve to be shifted about like she was.”
“Or used by a mean old man,” Hannah said decidedly. “I gave Lord Downes a nice kick as he was dragged away. Of course, the police took me in with them to ask all sorts of questions, but since I was still prissy Marjory I went along with it. Was terribly shocked by it all and worried for her ladyship. They released me and let me take her home.”
“You are kinder than you know,” I told her.
Hannah shrugged. “Maybe. But I think I’ll stick to me table of trinkets for a time now. Sean is a great one for helping.”
“I’ve been giving some thought to your idea of having a stall here for my baked goods,” I said. Daniel, who’d been watching Grace look over Hannah’s things, turned to me in curiosity. I hadn’t mentioned this to him yet.
