Page 38 of The Marriage Method

She moistened her lips, fully aware that Mrs. Pritchard and her henchman were listening. “How long have you worked here?” she asked.

“Six months,” Claudine replied.

“That isn’t very long,” Nell remarked. “Are most of the girls as new as you are?”

“Some newer,” Claudine said.

Mrs. Pritchard gave the girl a warning look.

Claudine shifted in her seat. “Anything else?”

“Do you have your own room?” Nell asked.

“All my girls have their own rooms,” Mrs. Pritchard answered.

Nell suppressed a burst of frustration. “And, ah, are you comfortable in it?”

“It’s well enough,” Claudine said.

“And safe enough, I trust? Despite being in this part of the East End?” Nell searched the girl’s face. “What I mean is, you have no exposure to violence of any kind?”

Claudine flashed an uncertain glance at Mrs. Pritchard.

“Silas keeps the door,” Mrs. Pritchard replied for her. “Our guests know better than to trifle with him.”

It wasn’t the answer Nell was looking for. Naturally, a bully boy protected the house from customers who might turn violent. But what of the violence administered from within? Did Mrs. Pritchard ever hurt the girls? Did Silas? The scratch on his face would seem to indicate that he did. And that he’d recently paid the price for it, too.

“If there’s nothing else,” Mrs. Pritchard said with visible impatience.

“A few more questions, please,” Nell begged.

Mrs. Pritchard’s lips pressed tighter. She reluctantly motioned for Nell to continue.

Nell cast about for something else she could ask. Something that might reveal more than what she and Miles already knew. At last, she pounced on it.

“What about your days off?” she inquired.

Claudine shrugged. “I get a half day on Wednesdays.”

“All my girls do,” Mrs. Pritchard informed Nell. “A half day, on alternating days of the week, guaranteed. You’ll be granted the same.”

Nell ignored her. “What do you do on your days off hereabouts?” she asked Claudine. “You can’t go far, with so little time at your disposal.”

“Don’t need to go far when the Red Lion is right around the corner,” Claudine said. “Mr. Drews stands us a pint for brightening up the place. All us girls go there on our afternoons off, excepting the young ones.”

Mrs. Pritchard snapped her fingers. “That’s enough, Claudine,” she said sharply. She pointed to the hall. “Back to your work.”

Claudine stood. Her gaze lingered on Nell for a moment before she turned and strolled out of the room.

Exchanging a brief but significant glance with Miles, Nell rose from the settee. She gave her skirts a brisk shake over her wire crinoline. “You have given me much to ponder, ma’am,” she said to Mrs. Pritchard. “I shall be in touch as soon as I come to a decision.”

Mrs. Pritchard surged to her feet. Fresh suspicion blazed in her eyes. “Wait a moment.”

Nell didn’t wait. Gripping tight to her cane, she walked purposely from the parlor, Miles at her side.

Mrs. Pritchard and her henchman came after them. “I knew it!” she exclaimed. “This has been some manner of ruse! I see it now. False pretenses, indeed.”

Nell’s pulse raced. She quickened her step, but the hitch in her gait inevitably slowed her stride.