Page 82 of The Laudanum Ladies' Society

‘Shall I tell him his sister is here?’ asked Mr Everson in a supercilious tone.

‘Yes, please,’ Gwen said snappishly, disinclined to tolerate his sneering.

She took a seat on the bench and gave him a polite smile, but as soon as he went up the stairs, she followed him and waited until he knocked on the door before turning the corner into the corridor, arriving at his side just as Danny opened the door. Both men stared at her, Danny in surprise and Mr Everson in annoyance.

‘I’m sorry, Mr Everson. I know you have propriety and the reputation of your hotel to think of, but this is far too delicate a conversation to be had anywhere in public, even in your office. It concerns Mr Parry’s– our– niece,’ she said before either of them had time to speak.

‘You’d better come in,’ Danny said, stepping back. ‘Thank you, Mr Everson.’

She entered the room and shut it behind her, as Mr Everson retreated.

‘Gwen, what are you doing here?’ Danny asked, spinning around. He was wearing a shirt and trousers, but no tie or waistcoat.

Gwen put her bag down on the table. The room was large and well-furnished, with a desk upon which lay an open book, face down.

‘I know where Ruth is,’ Gwen said.

‘How?’ His eyes widened then narrowed and his expression darkened. ‘Gwen, what have you done? I told you not to get involved. It’s too dangerous.’

He came towards her, arms outstretched as if preparing to embrace her. She put her hand to her mouth, remembering the touch of his lips on hers, and shook her head. He stopped in his tracks, and a look of concern crossed his face that broke Gwen’s heart as she thought of how soon it would change to anger or disgust. Her conviction wavered.

‘It’s too late for that,’ she told him quietly.

She stood opposite him. Inside her gloves, her palms felt damp, and a shudder of dread ran up and down her legs. She wanted to sit down but the armchair was covered with discarded clothing and the only other surface was the bed.

‘I know where Ruth is, and it’s too late to warn me against being involved, Danny, because I already am.’

Danny was looking at her with apprehension but his body was at ease and welcoming. Once she told him, though, she was sure that he would no longer look like that. He would never again embrace her in comfort or desire. She was prepared for him to shout at her, perhaps even strike or shake her, and she was determined that she would endure whatever she had to.

‘Gwen, you’re upset. Let me help you,’ he said gently. ‘Whatever has happened, we can sort it out together.’

‘But I don’t deserve your help.’ She swallowed and balled her hands into fists to stop them shaking and hid them in the folds of her skirt. ‘These past few months have been such a dreadful mess, with one thing after another leading me along a path I never intended to take. Or at least, I did intend to take it, but I took each step without really considering where it would lead. And now, I don’t see how to get back from it.’

She raised her head and tried to keep her lips from quivering, but failed.

‘There’s something I need to tell you, and I want you to listen carefully. I’ll answer any questions you ask, but please, let me get through what I need to say, or I won’t be able to.’

‘Of course,’ Danny murmured. ‘But let me clear the chair. You look as if you’re going to faint clean away.’

He picked up the armful of clothes and dumped them onto the bed, then he led Gwen to the armchair. She perched on the edge, while he sat down on the bed. Late afternoon sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on her, and she longed to close her eyes and let her troubles melt away in the warmth. She sat upright and cleared her throat.

‘Ruth is in a place called The Rook and Wren– a coffee shop, which is a front for a brothel. It’s run by a woman called Augusta Charles. She also owns a chop house.’

‘I’ve seen that place. I suspected it was down at heel, but not that it was a house of ill repute.’ Danny looked thoughtful. ‘Isn’t that nearby where I first met you?’

Gwen nodded. ‘You promised not to ask me questions until I had finished,’ she reminded him.

He crossed then uncrossed his legs, then ran his hand over his forehead and straightened his collar. He was being very patient, considering how much nonsense it must seem Gwen was talking.

‘Along with two friends, I’ve been investigating Mrs Charles’ business. We didn’t know she owned the brothel when we were first introduced to her. We didn’t know anything about brothels at all, in fact. But gradually, we became aware of it. We’ve spoken to an acquaintance of hers who has confirmed that a young woman with a Welsh accent is working for her.’

She watched Danny’s face as he absorbed the information, seeing the jerk of his mouth at the mention of Ruth’s work for Augusta. Nausea washed over Gwen, and her neck grew clammy.

‘That was very brave of you, but you have put yourself at risk,’ Danny said. He stood and crossed the room to the coat-stand, clearly believing Gwen had finished her story. ‘If you tell me where the brothel is, I’ll go immediately and demand to see her.’

Gwen licked her lips. She could still keep her part in the matter a secret; she could tell Danny and let him attempt to deal with the matter himself. She could go with him to Wales and help care for Ruth and neither of them need ever know. But even with his tantalising offer of a new life in front of her, she couldn’t live with the deception.

‘There’s more, Danny.’