She froze.
“Who’s there?” she asked. She grabbed the painter’s tool and threw on a robe, relaxing when she heard a familiar voice.
She opened the door to find Lillie standing outside in the rain.
“I got your message,” Lillie said.
Grace ushered her inside.
Grace lit a fire in the hearth, and they sat cross-legged on the bed.
“Now what’s this about?” Lillie asked as Grace set out small, chipped teacups from the cupboard and heated a teapot over the fire.
“I promised you no more secrets,” Grace said.
Lillie arched an eyebrow. “Yes,” she said.
“I went to the Tunnels today in search of answers about Harriet,” Grace said. “And instead… I found Walt.”
“Walt?” Lillie cried with a start. “Oh, Grace. In the Tunnels?” Her eyes widened. “How is he?”
“He looks terrible,” Grace said, this time letting her tears spill freely. Lillie slipped her hand in Grace’s.
“Poor Walt,” Lillie said. “Poor you, Grace.”
“Our brothers,” Grace said.
“What’s going to happen to them?” Lillie asked.
“Do you blame me for what happened, Lil?” Grace asked quietly. “Even a little?”
Lillie sighed and hesitated. “No. That would be ridiculous. You were loyal to Oliver then, just as you’re being now. That’s all I see.”
The weight in Grace’s lungs lifted. It felt so good to have Lillie there. Her presence filled the room like light filled a lamp.
Grace wiped her cheeks with the base of her palms and rose to pour them tea. “Walt’s agreed to look into some things I hope might help Oliver.”
“How good of him,” Lillie said.
“In the meantime, I was thinking you and I could pay a visit to your doctor friend.” She offered Lillie a steaming teacup. “Would she answer questions for us?”
“I’m certain she would,” Lillie said, accepting the hot tea.
“Should we go tomorrow evening?” Grace asked. “Could you slip away again?”
“Not tomorrow,” Lillie said. She sighed, taking a sip of tea. “There’s a ball I’m expected to be at. Mother thinks it’s important we still go to functions, to show that we believe the charges against Oliver to be meritless. But she won’t admit how drastically our social status has fallen since his arrest.” Lillie wrapped her elegant fingers around the teacup. “So far that I’m not sure I can get you in this time.”
“That’s all right,” Grace said, heart sinking. She had been hoping they might be able to interview some of the people who had been there the night of Harriet’s murder. “Let’s speak with Dr. May the night after, then.”
“Yes. I’ll send her a note arranging it.”
“How was your day?” Grace asked. “Did Copper, Earnest, or Frannie see anything of note?”
Lillie took a short sip. “Frannie didn’t seem much interested in my company,” she said delicately. She gave a little laugh, the way she did when she was hurt but trying not to show it. “I suppose she was just tired today.”
Grace’s eyes narrowed, her anger rising like a roused animal. She’d had more than enough of Frannie Allred.
“Please allow me to inform you that Frannie Allred is a notoriously heinous stuck-upshrew, Lillie.”
