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“A powder keg is harmless, until someone lights a match.”

John wanted to argue, but the truth was, he didn’t know what the hell Maddock would do, given enough provocation.

Grindal turned a page of his notebook. “I read a briefing slip from the Registrar of Licensed Convicts,” he said, “regarding the unfortunate death of Tuppence Higget.”

“Aye,” John said quietly. “In childbirth, it was.”

“The infant is also deceased?”

John was mildly startled by the question. “No, Inspector. Miss Higget gave birth to a healthy boy. That wasn’t mentioned on the briefing slip?”

Grindal shook his head. “The register tracks the convicts, not their dependents. The child wouldn’t be noted in the register unless it had direct bearing on parole conditions.”

“Sir . . .” John paused, hardly knowing how to reply. “I would say this boy definitely has direct bearing on parole conditions, as he lives here with us.”

The inspector’s eyes went wide. “A newborn, living in this situation?”

Not liking the sound of “this situation,” John said, “Before her death, Miss Higget asked Miss Martin to take the child and raise him. That’s precisely what Miss Martin is doing. She hired a wet nurse. She’s undertaken to learn everything she can about what’s best for the boy’s care and development. As for the rest of us, the household dotes on him. We all chose a name for him, together, from the Bible. There’s no babe in England who has so many adults devoted to his care.”

“It’s not an appropriate arrangement,” Grindal grumbled. “A child needs a family.”

“What is a family, Inspector?”

Grindal’s eyes narrowed. He began to write in his notebook. “Gather the servants, Mr. Pembroke,” he said without looking up.

“Aye, sir.”

John went to the upper floor, where he found Norman with Enid and Belinda. It was clear Norman had explained the seriousness of the situation to the women.

“Oh, Mr. Pembroke,” Enid quavered.

“I don’t want to talk to no copper,” Belinda said. “Can’t stand coppers, me.”

“No cause for alarm,” John said in a reassuring tone. “He’s not after hurting us. He’s trying to be fair.”

“How do you know?” Norman asked.

“I can tell. Now then, let’s go downstairs to meet him. I’ll introduce you, and we’ll answer his questions as simply as possible. We’ll say nothing bad about ourselves or each other, aye?”

Norman glanced at the other two and added, “He said we could lie if we had to.”

“But tell as much of the truth as you can,” John said hastily.

Norman and Belinda headed to the servants’ stairs.

John sent Enid a questioning glance, knowing it would take her forever to descend the main staircase on her own. But any time he’d ever indicated his willingness to help her, she’d refused him flatly.

“If you would rather wait for Maddock—” he began.

“Obliged if you would carry me, sir.” Her lips quirked as she saw his surprised expression. “If you were good enough for Tuppence,” she said, “you’re good enough for me.”

John went to her, trying to be matter-of-fact. Carefully he lifted her the way he’d seen Maddock do it, with the shortened leg on the outer side. “Is this right?”

“Yes.”

Enid was lighter than he’d expected, more fragile. It was the strength of her personality that made her seem so much sturdier. For the first time, it occurred to him that whenever Enid accepted help, she was forced to surrender a portion of her dignity. He felt humbled that she’d finally decided to trust him.

“You’re almost as strong as Maddock,” Enid commented.