“Look, the day has been a trying one for us both. I think it best you leave,” Eliza said once more, cutting him off rudely by placing her palm in front of his face. It was then she realized it was gloveless.
He grabbed it before she could push it into her pocket. “Did that happen in the fire that killed your family?”
“Give me my hand back.”
“I mean you no harm, lass.”
His grip didn’t hurt, but she couldn’t pull free. He studied the puckered, scarred skin on the back of her left hand and then turned it over to study the damaged skin on her palm. One large finger traced a line down her middle finger, and Eliza shivered from his touch.
“Do they hurt?”
“Sometimes.”
“Mr. Greedy may be able to help you with that. We’ll ask him.”
“No one can help with that.” This time when she tugged, he released her wrist.
“I’m sorry for what happened to you, Eliza.”
“And I’m sorry your niece is missing.”
“How is it you escaped the fire?”
“Go back to the house, Mr. Mungo, and tell them I am well and will return shortly.” She was sure that was the reason for him being in the rotunda. He’d been sent to look for her. The thought sent a tiny kernel of warmth into her chest. No one had looked out for Eliza for many years.
“I’m not returning without you. Now tell me how you escaped the fire.”
“I have no wish to speak of that day,” Eliza said.Ever again.
“It helps to talk about things that we’ve suffered, or so Bram is constantly telling me.” A small smile tilted the right side of his mouth.
His was a face made up of so many harsh angles and planes. A face that bore the lines of a life well lived. His was no soft gentleman’s skin.
“Is that what you do? Talk about the things that have hurt you?” Her words were mocking.
“No, I’m terrible at that, but the Nightingales excel.”
She wouldn’t smile at his acknowledgement. It was clear he loved every one of them, even if he tried to hide that fact.
“Go now and tell them all I will return to my duties shortly.”
“You think after what we just learned about your past suffering, we wish for you to carry on as if nothing has changed?” He looked angry now.
“There is nothing that can be done to alter my past. Therefore, I will continue to do what I was employed to do.”
“Did the house fire take your family soon after your father prosecuted Black Harridan’s Boys, Miss Downing?”
She nodded. “I know they were responsible, but no one would listen to me,” Eliza said.
She’d felt alone and desperate for someone to hear her. No one had, and then she’d become angry. Someone had taken everything she loved from her and was not going to face consequences for it. Eliza had wanted retribution, but even her uncle, who had lost his brother, had refused to believe the fire was anything but an accident.
“I spoke with people about my concerns. I pestered the watchhouse and knocked on the magistrate’s door, but no one would listen to me. Then, my uncle arrived to take me away to live with him, so I could do no more.”
“How old were you?”
“Fourteen.”
“Did they find anything suspicious in the fire?”
