Page 76 of The Laudanum Ladies' Society

The clerk checked behind him on a wall of numbered hooks, some hung with keys, others empty.

‘Mr Parry is in. Please give me your name. If you wait there, I will send a porter up to inform him you are here.’

‘I need to speak to him myself in private. Please, just tell me which room he is in and I’ll go up myself.’

The clerk raised his brows. ‘I am afraid that is out of the question. I cannot allow a lady to go visiting a gentleman guest in his room.’

‘It is absolutely none of your business,’ Gwen snapped. She realised she had forgotten her gloves and put her hands behind her back, not wanting to appear any more of a scandal.

‘It is absolutely my business who enters my hotel,’ the clerk said coldly.

‘Yes, of course. I apologise,’ Gwen said.

He came out from behind the desk and looked at Gwen appraisingly, eyes lingering on her face, and when he spoke next, his tone was friendlier.

‘I can see that you are in a state of high anxiety. I will go up to his room myself, however, I must ask that you remain here. If you would care to wait in my office, you are more than welcome. Please come this way.’

The small kindness touched her, though she suspected it was more due to his preference for not having an unruly woman cluttering up the lobby of his hotel.

He took Gwen to the room behind the reception and indicated a small sofa beside the desk, but she paced around the room until Danny entered. He was buttoning his waistcoat and his tie was crooked, suggesting he had been at leisure.

He took one look at Gwen and then turned back to the clerk.

‘Thank you, Mr Everson, for fetching me so quickly. My sister is clearly distressed.’

‘Your sister, of course.’ The clerk smiled tightly. ‘Shall I arrange for some coffee to be sent in?’

‘Yes, please, and a scone or cake, if you are able to. I am afraid my sister looks like she needs some sustenance.’

Whether or not he believed they were related, Gwen didn’t care, and Mr Everson backed out.

Danny gestured at Gwen’s face and his expression darkened.

‘What happened?’

She’d planned to tell him calmly, but her throat tightened and with a sob of misery, Gwen threw herself into his arms. Danny held her tightly and she wept against his shoulder until she felt calm enough to speak.

‘I had a fight with my husband. We both said some things that were regrettable.’

Danny released her and put his hand on her chin, lifting her face to examine her jaw.

‘He did this?’ His eyes narrowed with fury. She hadn’t looked in a mirror but if it looked as sore as it felt, it would be a sight. He stroked his thumb along the tender skin.

‘Let me help you,’ he murmured.

Tears began to prick at the corner of Gwen’s eyes and she blinked them away as the first spot of brightness emerged through the gloom.

‘Yes. That’s why I came. My son is in debtor’s prison in St Helena, and Archibald refuses to help him. I am utterly helpless. But you are a solicitor. I can’t pay you much, but there must be something you can do.’

Danny shook his head gently. ‘I think that might be beyond my powers. I deal in probate and property, not criminal law, though I can make enquiries to various colleagues I know.’

Gwen winced and he took her hand and led her to the chair at the desk.

‘But I had a different sort of aid in mind. Let me offer you a refuge. When I go home, return with me to Swansea.’

‘I…’ Gwen gaped at him. ‘I’m married.’

‘Regrettably.’