“The morning will do, Higgins. You get back to HQ and make your report. I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
Daniel handed us into the carriage, then climbed in himself. It was a tight squeeze. I took Bridie on my lap and Katherine balanced Shamey on hers. Daniel was beside me. I was aware of the pressure of his body against mine. Would I never get over these stupid feelings when he was near me? I stroked Bridie’s hair and pretended I didn’t notice him.
“I suppose it’s a waste of time to ask, but what in God’s name made you decide to climb a half-built tower with a man like Kelly?” he demanded.
“The answer to that is simple,” I said. “He took Bridie.”
“You could have come to me for help, as young Seamus here so properly did.”
“And when he spotted the first police uniform, what do you think he would have done with her?” I demanded. “Anyway, we had no idea we were going up to a place like that. The note said the end of Delancey Street. I didn’t think about the half-built bridge.”
“That’s one more of your nine lives gone,” Daniel said. “I hope it gave you enough of a scare up there to seek a more sensible occupation in the future.”
“Something like a companion, had you in mind?” I said, turning away from him. “I find such jobs to be more of a strain on the heart.”
“You did very well, Seamus, my boy,” Daniel said, leaning past me to ruffle Shamey’s hair. “Your father will be proud of you. If you go on like this, I might be able to use you as a messenger when you get a little older.”
“Really?” Seamus leaned forward to look at Daniel. “How old do I have to be?”
“You have to have enough schooling so that you can read longer notes with harder words,” I said and saw Daniel’s smile.
The bright lights of the Bowery flashed past us. A theater performance had just ended and the crowd spilled off the sidewalk forcing our horse to slow to a walk.
“Where can we take you, Miss Faversham?” Daniel asked Katherine.
“She’s staying across the street from me, with my friends,” I said.
“Ah. Across the street. A good thought,” Daniel said. “And may I say, Miss Faversham, or rather Mrs. Kelly, that I commend your bravery tonight. I can only tell you that you’ve had a narrow escape in more ways than one. The man you married was a dangerous thug, wanted by police both here and in Ireland. Had you stayed with him, you would soon have become part of one of the most violent criminal elements in the city, from which there would have been no escape.”
“I realize that,” she said, “and I suppose I should be grateful, but it’s all been rather a shock. I did love him, you know. You can’t just stop loving someone, just like that.”
I could feel Daniel looking at me.
“No,” he said. “You can’t.”
Katherine sighed. “I expect I’ll get over him with time. I come from tough stock, you know. My father fought in the Khyber Pass.” She gave a sad little chuckle. “I’ll be all right.”
The carriage slowed and came to a halt.
“We’re here,” Daniel said and lifted the children down, then assisted Katherine and myself from the carriage. His hand lingered against mine. When I tried to pull mine away he was looking at me again.
“Are you going to invite me in tonight?” he asked.
“I think not. The children are tired. But thank you for escorting us home.” I gave a correct little nod of the head, equal to anything Miss Arabella Norton could produce.
The children had run ahead to the front door. Seamus opened it and the worried look melted instantly from his face. “Oh, so there you are. I wondered where on God’s earth you’d all got to. I’ve been worrying about you.”
“We’re all just fine, Seamus. And these children are ready for some bread and milk and bed.”
Seamus looked past me to Katherine and Daniel and the carriage at the end of Patchin Place.
“We had a little excitement. No doubt the children will tell you about it in their own good time,” I said.
“I’ve had a little excitement of my own,” Seamus said. “I got a job at last. I’ve been hired by Macy’s department store to carry out packages to carriages and automobiles during the Christmas season. And if that works well, they’ll keep me on in the stock room.”
“I’m pleased for you, Seamus,” I said. “Go inside, children. Say good night to Miss Faversham and thank you to Captain Sullivan.”
“Good night, Miss Faversham. Thank you, Captain Sullivan,” two voices chanted in unison. “Daddy, you’ll never guess what . . .” I heard animated voices as they went into the kitchen.
“I’ll be off to bed then,” Katherine said. “Thank you again, Molly.”
“Do you want me to come with you, Katherine?” I asked.
She glanced at Daniel, then at me. “No, I think not,” she said, and walked across Patchin Place to Number Nine.