Basil’s brows drew together. “I don’t know why she went with him. He was a nasty-tempered, ill-mannered pig, and I don’t know what she saw in him.”

“I imagine you were furious when she left you for him.”

“Course I was. After the fight, though, I reckoned they deserved each other. I heard that he was slapping her around a bit, but she chose to stay with him. More fool her, that’s what I say. Never did have no brains, that girl.”

Cecily got up from the couch, wishing she could feel her toes. “I’d like to have a word with Gracie. Do you know where can I find her?”

“She lives where she works, over the toy shop in the High Street.” Basil yawned again. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to bed.”

“Thank you for your help.” Cecily nodded at Samuel, who was directing a stern glare at Basil. “Come, Samuel, we must leave this gentleman in peace.”

Samuel snorted rather rudely and hurried to open the door for her.

Pausing on the doorstep, Cecily looked back at Basil. “How well did you know Thomas Willow?”

Basil frowned. “The shoemaker? Everyone in the village knows who he is, but I wasn’t that friendly with him, if that’s what you mean. What about him?”

“He was found whipped to death up on Putney Downs,” Cecily said, keeping a close watch on Basil’s face.

At first Basil’s features seemed frozen in shock, then he looked scared. “I didn’t know.”

“Did Jimmy know him well?”

“Not that I know of. Jimmy couldn’t afford to get his shoes custom-made. He bought his where I bought mine, at the market. What does all this have to do with me?”

“Nothing, I hope. Just as a matter of interest, though, someone used Jimmy Taylor’s whip to kill Thomas Willow.”

Basil’s jaw dropped open. “Blinking heck. Who would be crazy enough to do something like that?”

Thoroughly chilled now, Cecily bid him good day. Climbing up into the carriage, she wished she’d brought a blanket herself as she sat down on the cold leather seat.