Page 90 of The Laudanum Ladies' Society

‘That was fun. I think I should go on the stage after all. I hope that horrible woman tears her husband’s ears off if she thinks we’ve had a quick roll together.’

Jenny laughed. ‘You were wonderful!’ she said. Despite her intention not to, she put her arm around Miriam’s waist. It was crowded enough that the gesture would pass unremarked.

The cab returned Jenny home first. Miriam gave her a peck on the cheek as she climbed out. ‘Come and find me tomorrow. And talk to your uncle if you can.’

Mr Parry looked at Jenny over the top of Ruth’s head. The girl had fallen asleep leaning against him, and Bella against her. ‘Don’t be afraid of silence, Miss Rosewood,’ he told her. ‘It will be as uncomfortable for your uncle as it is for you– and if he has something to conceal then it will gnaw on his conscience, while yours will be at ease. Tell him you have an agent and that might do the trick.’

‘Thank you.’

Jenny looked at Gwen who gave her a slight smile, her eyes a little watery, her face creased with worry. Jenny wanted to embrace her and tell her that everything would be all right, but she honestly wasn’t sure it would be. She stepped away from the cab and watched it go, sending up a prayer that Mr Parry would be as understanding as Gwen deserved him to be.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Gwen spent the night at the small hotel for female travellers where she had left her trunk early that morning. It was close to Miriam’s home but she hadn’t realised how close it was until they both asked to be let out of the cab at the same location.

‘I think you need to leave this part of London, too,’ she toldMiriam after the cab containing Danny, Ruth and Bella had continued on to Godwin’s. By common agreement, it seemed the safest place for poor Bella, who had started to shake and cry as soon as they had left The Rook and Wren and had refused to let go of Ruth. Sally stood beside Miriam, her head down and her arms wrapped around herself tightly.

Miriam sniffed and her lips twisted downward. ‘I will be. I haven’t told Jenny yet, but I have accepted a teaching position, which means I shall travel abroad.’

Gwen’s stomach twisted with pity for Jenny, who was so clearly in love with Miriam. She couldn’t understand the fascination they felt for each other, but it was clearly genuine.

‘I’m going to speak with Jenny soon, and tell her. I owe that to her,’ Miriam said.

‘I wish you both well,’ Gwen said.

‘And I you,’ Miriam answered. ‘I hope you get the forgiveness you need from Mr Parry. Don’t let your wings be clipped any longer. You’ve given your husband most of your life, now go and live your own.’

With that, she walked off, swinging her arms and humming to herself, Sally trying to keep up at her side. Tears smarted in Gwen’s eyes at her parting words. It felt like receiving absolution, if the blessing of such an odd woman counted for anything.

The following morning, Gwen breakfasted late, refreshed after a night of deep sleep in a comfortable bed. She had bathed in warm water, rinsed and scented her hair with lemon water, and dressed in a fresh blouse. Looking at herself in the full-length mirror, she saw a woman who was not young, but not old, either, and with good hair and posture– and she liked what she saw.

After leaving her trunk in the hotel’s luggage room, Gwen walked to Godwin’s. She nodded to Mr Everson, barely pausing her step as she called out, ‘Good morning, I am going up to see my brother,’ and enjoying the look of irritation on his face.

Danny answered the door, looking much less rested than Gwen felt. She wondered whether to return downstairs and order coffee and crumpets to be sent up, then decided against it. She was not responsible for anticipating or fulfilling his needs. If he wanted breakfast, he was perfectly capable of ordering it himself.

‘I came to enquire after Ruth and Bella,’ she told him.

He stepped back and let her into the room. He was dressed, though not wearing a tie or waistcoat and his chin was thickwith morning stubble. It rather suited him. His bed was roughly made, suggesting he had done it himself.

‘I thought it best not to admit the maid,’ he said, following Gwen’s gaze. ‘It has been a rather eventful night. Bella refused anything to eat or drink. She seems to suspect it might be drugged.’

Gwen cringed.

‘I didn’t mean that to sound as much an accusation as it did,’ Danny said.

Gwen was about to reply that she wouldn’t blame him, but stopped herself. She’d never forced anything onto anyone. She was not responsible for Augusta’s actions.

‘How is Ruth?’ she asked.

Danny rubbed his temples, clearly exhausted.

‘Angry. I’m afraid that she does not think we have done her any favours by rescuing her. I’m not sure she sees it as a rescue, in fact.’

‘May I see her?’

Danny gestured to the door. ‘She is in the adjoining room. I took the liberty of securing it when I arrived. I doubt Mr Everson thinks particularly highly of me.’

‘Do you care?’ Gwen asked.