She did not, however, unleash her soul and shower me with expressions of love and devotion. She only sighed and moved closer to me.
Soon we occupied the same chair, but I feared it collapsing, so I lifted her and moved with her to a sofa. There we ceased speaking, finishing the conversation without words. By the time Donata sent for Jacinthe again, I considered us well reconciled.
* * *
When I went downstairs,Donata still dressing, I spied Mr. Quimby approaching the house across the empty square. I bade Bartholomew show him in.
“What news, Mr. Quimby?”
The man somberly removed his hat and gave it over to Bartholomew. “I’ve come from the coroner. May we speak?” He glanced into the sitting room.
I gestured him inside and shut the door behind us. “Joshua Bickley?”
“Indeed.” Both of us remained standing, uneasy, in the middle of the carpet. “The lad did not drown in the boat. You were correct that he was killed, strangled from all appearances, and then placed there. That is the coroner’s opinion.”
I balled my fists. “You mean they tried to make it look like a boating accident? Josh didn’t like boats, according to Miss Farrow.”
“The coroner believes the man who strangled him was quite strong, with large hands.” Quimby glanced at the one resting on my walking stick. “Like yours, Captain.”
I took a step back. “I did not kill the lad, Quimby. I promise you that.”
Mr. Quimby did not seem to hear my declaration. “The inquest will be later today. You will be called to give evidence.”
“I assumed as much.” I calmed myself. “I will answer any questions put to me, but I do not have much more information.”
Quimby sighed. “Death by violence is a great horror for the Friends, but I know they do not believe in hanging murderers either. It is why they have invented such frightening jails. They believe they are being kind, but those places result in the death of souls instead of bodies, in my opinion.”
One of Mr. Denis’s men had described these reforming places to me—stark buildings built in a circle, monotonous exercise, men always watched, and menial and unrelenting tasks. The man had not told me whether he’d been in such a place himself, but he’d spoken of it with horror.
“Then we are looking for a strong man with large hands,” I concluded. “Unfortunately, I imagine we’ll find any number of candidates.”
“It could have been a hired murder,” Quimby pointed out. “A ruffian brought in to do the deed, who will be miles away by now.”
“True, but why would anyone wish to kill Josh Bickley? From what I have heard of him, he was a harmless young man, a friend to many.”
Quimby shrugged. “One never knows. He was a Quaker, but could have become discontented with that way of life, perhaps left them to fall in with a bad lot. Or he simply met a villain who killed him for whatever coins he had in his pockets.”
“Or he might have been trying to do a good deed and came to misfortune,” I said. “A Quaker woman, older than he, has also vanished, and I wondered if Josh had gone to discover what became of her. I fear harm has come to her as well.”
“Indeed.” Quimby looked unhappy.
“There is an opinion that these things are happening as part of an attempt to ruin me or take my life,” I said, carefully not mentioning Denis’s name.
“An interesting theory.” Quimby looked thoughtful. “Sir Montague has mentioned that you are quick to anger people.”
“Only those who are brutal to others. Though I suppose I put my nose into much business that doesn’t concern me.” I touched the offending appendage.
Mr. Quimby gave me a tolerant smile. “I will see you at the inquest, Captain. It will begin at two of the clock.”
“I will be there,” I promised.
Mr. Quimby took his leave. I saw him to the door, and we parted cordially. Brewster turned up as soon as Quimby was gone—he’d likely been waiting until the Runner departed.
“His Nibs wants that list of your old enemies,” Brewster said. “He sent me to remind you.”
I made a noise of exasperation “I haven’t had a moment to do it. He can wait an hour, can he not?”
“I’ll not be deliveringthatmessage.” Brewster sat down on a chair in the hall. “Only the list. I’ll wait.”
