Page 86 of The Laudanum Ladies' Society

‘I wish you well,’ she said.

He scowled. ‘Go to the Devil, woman.’

He slammed the door, causing Gwen to wince.

She had burnt her bridges with two men in a short space of time and should be fearful of her future, yet she felt oddly uplifted. The clouds were beginning to part, the road smelled fresh after the night’s rain and the sun was starting to shine. Gwen turned her face up to it, feeling alive for the first time in a very long while.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gwen was red-eyed when she met Jenny and Miriam at a coffee house halfway between Islington and Finsbury. It was half past nine in the morning, and while the establishment was already busy, they found a table in the window and ordered toast and a pot of coffee.

Jenny looked around as the waiter departed. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go into a coffee house now without wondering if it is the cover for a brothel,’ she whispered. Miriam grinned, but Gwen looked solemn.

‘One thing I think I’ve realised, is that nobody is who they seem to be. Selina appears very respectable yet she prostitutes herself, while we are manufacturers of opium,’ she said.

She reached across the table and took Jenny by the hand. ‘Have you spoken to your uncle about your investments? I think you should, as soon as possible.’

There was an urgency in her voice that took Jenny aback.

‘I haven’t really had the time,’ she admitted.

‘I think Selina’s warning is something we should take heed of. Finding somewhere to hide or start again will be important,’ Gwen said.

She paused as the waiter returned with the coffee and toast, then cleared her throat as if she was about to continue, only to stop as a man walked up to their table and greeted her. This must be the enigmatic Mr Parry, Jenny thought. He wasn’t the most handsome man, and he was balding, but he had kind eyes.

Gwen performed introductions. Mr Parry shook Jenny and Miriam’s hands then drew up a chair beside Gwen. He accepted a cup of coffee and looked in better humour as he sipped it. Jenny could see why Gwen was fond of him.

‘I will go and speak to Uncle Conrad later about the documents,’ she said aside to Gwen, and was interested to note that Mr Parry’s eyes became keen.

‘Which documents would those be?’ he asked, leaning forward with interest.

Jenny wrinkled her nose. ‘Do you know I’m not entirely sure, but I’m sure whatever he provides will be useful. They’re not related to this matter.’

‘Miss Rosewood is trying to trace the investment of her legacy,’ Gwen explained. ‘I haven’t liked to ask, but I know you have some experience, being a solicitor…’

She looked at him with an unspoken question in her eyes and he answered it, also unspoken. Jenny looked at them with a stab of envy as comprehension passed between them and she understood why Gwen flushed when she mentioned him.

‘Probate and inheritance is the area in which I am indeed an expert. Perhaps once this is over, you and I can talk and I can give you some advice,’ Mr Parry said kindly.

‘Perhaps. Thank you,’ Jenny said, her eyes sliding to Gwen, who nodded subtly.

Gwen put down her half-eaten slice of toast. ‘Let’s begin. We need to strike before the day gets too late and busy,’ she said decisively. ‘We all know what role we are taking, don’t we?’

They each murmured their agreement. Thinking of what faced them, butterflies swirled in Jenny’s stomach. When Mr Parry left to find a hansom cab, Gwen’s eyes lingered before she turned back to Jenny and Miriam, her eyes sparkling with tears.

‘I should tell you, that once we have found the missing girls I do not intend to stay in London. I have told Archibald that I will not be returning to the house. Or to him.’

‘Will you return to Wales with Mr Parry?’ Jenny asked, unable to find it in her to mourn the end of the Walters’ marriage.

‘What makes you ask that?’ Gwen asked. She twisted her fingers together, the telltale sign that she was uncomfortable.

‘Mr Parry makes your heart sing, I can tell. Your eyes glow when you speak of him,’ Jenny said. She wanted to add,and they dull when you talk of your husband, but that was too intrusive by far.

Gwen shook her head. ‘I have told Danny the part I played in this matter. You must have seen how uncomfortable he is in my presence. He is not happy.’ Gwen dropped her eyes. ‘I don’t blame him.’

‘Why did you tell him?’ Miriam breathed.

Gwen tilted her head towards her and raised her brows. ‘You don’t think I should have? Wouldn’t you have wanted to know what we were involved in? Or would you have preferred the bliss of ignorance?’