Free Death of a Fop (Bow Street Consultant series Book 1) by Sarah Waldock Page B

have to, for Caleb could guess – that Frank had never even held his daughter. It had been irresponsible of him to pick the baby up; why with no contact with her father any man might have terrified her! But small Frances seemed to have her mother’s courage not her father’s cowardice.
    Caleb smiled shyly at Jane.
    “She is a bonny baby,” he said, “and you must be so happy that she is so healthy!”
    “I am” said Jane “I do not know how I would bear it if anything happened to her!”
    “I am sure she will be glad of such a devoted mother” said Caleb.
    Whatever it took, whatever it cost, he swore to himself he would never let these faceless villains take Fanny and even threaten to hurt her. Had it occurred to Mrs Churchill that they might do so? He hoped not; that extra sick fear she could well do without. But on the other hand.....on the other hand, Mrs Churchill was a very level headed woman and if she were prepared for any such act she would be perhaps ready to take precautions.
    “Mrs Churchill,” said Caleb, “it might be wise not to let Fanny go to the park for a while.”
    The grey eyes dilated in terror. Then Jane nodded.
    “Certainly Mr Armitage” she said. “An ounce of precaution is worth a ton of cure.”
    Caleb gave a silent whistle. She was worth a score of such as her late fool of a husband!

Chapter 10
    When Jane arose in the morning it was to have a note handed to her by Fowler.
    “Mr Armitage had to go out” said Fowler. “He said the note explained.”
    “Why thank you Fowler” said Jane. “Then I shall spend the morning writing the characters for the servants we shall not be keeping; they may work out their month but I shall not keep them if they find another situation before the time is up if they may start immediately. Tell me, is there anything positive I may say of Juliet?”
    Fowler considered.
    “She is honest,” he said, “and clean in her own person if not too scrupulous about those portions of the house that do not show; Mrs Ketch has had occasion to speak to her about dusting the tops of doors and cornices.”
    “Ah well, honesty is a virtue” said Jane. “Thank you Fowler.”
    She took herself into the book room to peruse Caleb’s letter and to write.
    The letter ran, “Dear Mrs Churchill, I have gone to find out what I may of Dutchmen in London. It is my belief that if we may find the identity of Mr Churchill’s accommodating friend we may be much closer to the puzzle. I have not forgotten the disposal of your horse but I feel this is more important as you have already fodder in the mews. I do not know how long I shall be gone; Mrs Ketch has kindly agreed to keep me a bowl of stew and some bread so I beg you do not await nuncheon for my presence.
    Your obedient servant, Caleb Armitage.”
    “He is such a thoughtful man” murmured Jane.
     
    Jane had finished writing the characters for Juliet, Emerson and Palmer and took them down to the servants’ quarters to hand them over personally.
    She had learned from Mrs Campbell that having the mistress arrive suddenly in the servants’ hall was a good way to keep servants on their toes; and a little judicious and unladylike eavesdropping before walking in often highlighted any problems in the household. As Mrs Campbell had said, a military wife learned the tricks her husband had learned as a junior officer to help maintain discipline in the ranks, and nothing destroyed discipline like discontentment.
    Jane tripped lightly down the stairs to the basement and listened accordingly; the door to the servants’ hall being pushed to but not shut.
    The talk was of Mr Armitage.
    Fowler was holding forth.
    “If you ask me he’s a bleedin’ gent, whatever his birth might be; learned it military fashion. And he’s devoted to the mistress’ interests. Wouldn’t mind betting he’s half sweet on her. And gawd help us he can keep that fancy piece in order! Not that she’s as loud and brazen as I was afeared she might be