An Inconvenient Trilogy (45 page)

Chapter 3

London, autumn 1816

Laura knew she was being followed, the man had been keeping track of her since she had left the warehouse at the side of the Thames. It was not a place she would ever want to return to, but if she did not get away from her pursuer, it was highly likely that she would meet the same fate that Clara had.

Laura had shared a room with Clara since Baron Kersal’s house of ill repute had been forced to close down. They had stuck together, trying to stay away from that kind of work again. For Laura, there was no chance of being a lady of the night in her current state, but she did not want to return to that line of work in the future either.

They had each made plans, both wanting to escape the grime of the London that they belonged to. Laura had money put aside, but Clara had delayed because she had thought one of her regular customers would offer her support. The foolish girl, Laura muttered to herself. She had not realised that she was nothing but a piece of meat to the men that had visited the house, to be used and thrown away. Just because one man asked for you each time he visited, it did not mean he held you in any affection.

Clara’s regular customer had not killed her, Laura was sure of that. Those type of men tended not to add murder to their bad habits, and she was convinced this had more to do with Baron Kersal. The Baron had extended his services into kidnapping and forced marriages and it was that extension into illegal activity that had brought his business to an end. Unfortunately for all who were involved, instead of hanging as he should have done, he had been supported by a Duke and the trial had collapsed.

Laura had thought, naively, that that would be the end of it, but it seemed not. Clara had come home one day to say that Sarah had disappeared. Sarah, was one of the girls who knew about the forced marriages. There had only been a small circle who had been involved. Clara was not worried about Sarah’s disappearance until Laura found out that another girl who knew about the activity, Veronica, had also mysteriously ‘gone to visit relatives’.

Laura knew for a fact that Veronica did not have any relatives and immediately was on the alert. Something was not right. She tried to persuade Clara to leave immediately, they could have got on the stage that very day, but Clara had asked for one more day. She was desperate to contact her gentleman friend, sure that if he knew her situation he would help.

One of the errand boys from the local hostelry had come banging on Laura’s door two days later, saying that Miss Clara had been found. Laura had followed him to the warehouse where her body was. She had been thrown in the Thames, whether dead or alive, Laura had no idea, but Clara’s body was an image that would remain with Laura for the rest of her life. For how long that was going to be, Laura was not sure as she hurried through the streets with the errand boy.

She had noticed the man watching her as she identified Clara’s body and watched it being taken away. Clara would have a pauper’s burial. It was only that Laura and Clara lived so close to the water’s edge that Laura had even found out that Clara was discovered. A body in the Thames was more commonly left unidentified.

The warehouse area was busy, so seeing a man there was nothing out of the ordinary, in fact seeing a body being dragged out of the water always had the effect of a small crowd gathering. Laura had noticed the man because of the fact that he did not want to be noticed and had hung back in the shadows.

Although upset at seeing her friend’s lifeless and slightly swollen body, Laura had enough survival instincts to be practical. She feigned the vapours and persuaded the errand boy to take her away from the area. If she had company, she might have a little protection, but not much. They walked quickly and Laura said quietly that she needed to visit a church.

They approached St Andrew’s church and Laura gave the boy a coin and sent him on his way. She entered the church and sat down in the front pew. The more on view she was, the safer she was. She knelt to pray, all the time surreptitiously watching the rear of the church. Her pursuer had followed her into the building and sat at the rear of the church.

For a long time, Laura sat in the pew, rather than kneeling as if in prayer, but she had no intention of moving. The building was not crowded, but there were people coming and going, enough to offer her some protection. She needed to seek help, but had to wait for the right moment. If she moved too early, her efforts to stay safe could be in vain.

Two hours passed before the clergyman approached her. He was an older man, with greying hair and his clothing was slightly worn. There was no expensive living for him in this part of London. He sat by her side and said gently, “You have been here a long time, my child.”

“Yes, I am in trouble and have nowhere else to go. At least I am safe here, please don’t send me away,” Laura said quietly.

“I could never send someone away who seeks safety in the Lord’s house,” he responded kindly. “Can we help you? I can assure you that pews are not the most comfortable thing to sleep on, if you intend to stay indefinitely.”

Laura smiled slightly, but then paused before speaking. “You would not believe me if I told you,” she replied. She did not want to end up in Bedlam accused of being a lunatic.

“In my time I have seen and heard things I would not wish anyone to hear,” came the reassuring response. “All I want to do is help, but without knowing what you are facing, I am working on supposition.”

Laura sighed, accepting the reality, which was that this was the best chance she had. Not accustomed to trusting anyone, it was a huge step for her. “There is a man sat at the back of this church who is here to do me harm. The people I have worked with,” she flushed at the thought of speaking about such a profession in a church. “Have disappeared one by one, and I am convinced that he is here to inflict the same fate on me.”

The clergyman did not react or turn around. “Are you sure about this?” he asked calmly, his voice giving nothing away.

“I have just come from seeing my friend’s body which was dragged from the river, another two friends have disappeared, with one supposedly going to family that don’t exist. I can only think they have received the same fate as Clara,” Laura said worriedly.

“Why would anyone want to see you disappear?”

“We know about illegal activity,” Laura whispered. “There was going to be a trial, but one of the top nobs spoke up for the man involved and he got off. I can only think that he is making sure nothing can happen to threaten his safety in the future. Our lives our cheap, no one will notice when we disappear,” Laura said with a shudder. “That is what I am trying to escape from, but I understand if you don’t believe me, I could be a madwoman off the streets.”

“I have no reason to mistrust what you say,” the clergyman reassured her. He was fully aware of how cheap life was in these parts. He sat for a few moments before speaking again. “Will the father of your child not help?”

Laura flushed a deep red, she had hoped that her swelling stomach had not been noticed. “I need to reach him,” she replied honestly. “He does not know about the child, but he is my only chance of reaching safety.”

The clergyman presumed that the father was some kind of gentleman and doubted that the young woman sitting before him would receive any sort of help from such a man, but he was not about to turn his back on her. The story she had told could be lies, but he had believed her. There were no embellishments and he read the newspapers, and did remember something about a trial involving a member of the aristocracy collapsing.

“I have a suggestion that I think may work,” he said eventually. “You have a distinctive red cloak and your hair colouring is similar to my girl of all works. If we can get you into the vestry you can change places with Beth and she can return and sit in the pew for a time. I can’t promise to keep her here all day, I don’t want to put her in any danger, but I can give you enough time to get away.”

“Thank you,” Laura breathed. Her shoulders sagging in relief.

“Make sure you turn and face the back of the church fully as we make our way into the vestry,” the clergyman instructed.

“Why?” Laura asked, alarmed.

“I want it easily proven when Beth takes your cloak off that she is not you. Facially you are totally different and I want that made clear, to our unwelcome visitor. I don’t want Beth coming to any harm,” the clergyman explained.

“I understand and will make sure he has a clear view of my face,” Laura agreed. She may be afraid, but she would never put someone else at risk in her efforts to reach safety.

The clergyman stood and said in a clear voice, “You may follow me, but all I can offer is some water. I cannot be expected to feed you when you are not a regular parishioner.” His tone was stern, but his expression did not mirror the sound of his voice and he led the way out of the pew and towards the vestry.

Laura moved to the end of the pew and looked to the back of the church. The man that had followed her was staring at her intently, obviously working out whether or not to follow her. He looked away when she caught his eye. Laura continued into the vestry, content that her face had been clear.

Beth was already being spoken to by the clergyman and she listened intently to his instructions. Laura waited until she received a nod of agreement and then took off her cloak. Beth picked it up and wrapped it around herself.

“You can take my cloak in exchange,” Beth said to Laura. “Yours is better quality than mine, but I’m sure you won’t mind the swap.”

Laura nodded in agreement. “Thank you for this,” she said quietly.

“You’re welcome, it is the most excitement I’ve had for weeks,” Beth responded with an impish smile. Her features were sharper than Laura’s and although she had a similar hair colour, hers was straight, whereas Laura’s held a natural wave. Putting the two women together, a blind man could tell that they were nothing alike, Laura just hoped that the cloak would be enough to convince her pursuer for a little while.

The clergyman interrupted her thoughts. “There is a door here onto the side street. I suggest you take a hackney, but not directly from here. If questions are asked later, you don’t want to be easily traced. Good luck and may God be with you,” he said, opening the door quietly.

Laura thanked him and left the building as quickly as she could. She had no idea how much of a head start she had, but she had to make every moment count.

The clergyman helped Beth back into the church, pretending that she had become a little faint. “Sit here for a while,” he said, more gently than his tone had been previously. “I didn’t realise you were in such a poor state.”

He had noticed the man had moved forward from the pew he had previously sat on. He entered another pew at the sight of the clergyman and Beth. If there was any action to convince him that Laura was telling the truth, that was it.

The priest sat down near to Beth. He had not intended staying with the young girl, but the movement of the man made him wonder if he would approach her in a church and he did not want to put his staff in danger.

They sat for half an hour before the clergyman roused himself. “Right, Beth, I think you’ve had enough of a rest for today, don’t you? Time to get back to work I think,” he said loudly.

Beth stood and took off the cloak, shaking it out and looking all around the church, not focusing on anyone in particular. They both heard a curse and the sound of footsteps, followed by the banging of the church door as the man ran out into the street.

Chapter 4

Laura had run as fast as she was able to in the circumstances. She knew the streets well and took every twist and turn that would take her as far away as possible from the church. Eventually, she paused and caught her breath, before turning into a street, calmly walking up to a hackney and instructing it to take her to the Bow Street Offices.

She alighted from the hackney and paused. She could not walk into the offices, as much as she needed help. The fear of seeing him after all these months, even though he was a decent man, made her falter at the last moment. If he turned her away, she had nowhere left to go. He had every right to cast her off, he owed her nothing. In fact, he had given her money that could help her to get away, but she had been foolish and stayed in familiar surroundings and now she was running for her life.

The day passed with Laura being the person that hid in the shadows, watching the Bow Street Office. She was not sure what would give her the confidence to enter the building, but when she saw Alfred leaving the offices during the early evening, she followed him at a distance.

Alfred seemed relaxed as he walked through the streets towards his home. Laura had no idea where he lived, they had not had such revealing conversation, so she had no clue as to whether the walk would be long or short. She just kept walking, trying to maintain a distance that would keep him in sight, but that would not alert him to the fact that she was there.

He stuck to the main streets, but then Laura lost sight of him. She was no expert in following someone and cursed to herself, obviously the distance she had been keeping from him was too much. As she picked up her pace, an arm from the side of a building grabbed at her. Laura screamed and started to wriggle, panicking that her pursuer had caught up with her after all.

At the sound of her scream, she heard a familiar voice. “What the? Laura?” Alfred asked, letting her go.

“Oh thank God,” Laura breathed heavily, leaning against the wall for support. The thought that her escape had been in vain had made her feel weak.

“What on earth do you think you are doing trying to follow me? I could have hurt you,” Alfred snapped. He was having trouble gathering himself at the surprise at meeting Laura again in such a way, but he had also felt something else, it had been like a kick to his ribs. When he had dragged her to him, he had felt the swell of her middle.

“I need your help,” Laura said weakly.

“Yet you didn’t think to come into the offices?” Alfred said sharply.

“I couldn’t pluck up the courage,” Laura said. Alfred’s tone and the cold expression in his eyes did not bode well for him being willing to offer support. “Alfred, I’m sorry…..” Laura started, but then slid down the wall. The shock at being grabbed, in addition to not eating all day and the realisation that her potential saviour may not be willing to help her after all, was too much. She suddenly felt very faint and her legs no longer supported her.

“Damn it,” Alfred cursed as he hooked his hands under Laura’s arms and dragged her to her feet. “Laura, come on, stay awake, I need to get you home.”

Laura was half supported, half dragged, down two further streets, before Alfred stopped in front of a lodging house. He sighed as he entered the building, if he was seen by his landlady, he would be homeless by the morning. She took pride in running an honourable house that attracted the right kind of gentleman.

Laura made no sound as they walked up the stairs to the second floor. Alfred had wanted security where he lived, so a visible landlady and a set of rooms at the top of the building had seemed perfect. As he helped Laura, who was leaning heavily on him, he now questioned his sanity with choosing to live at the top of so many stairs.

He opened the door and breathed heavily when he had placed Laura on a wooden chair in the hallway. He closed the door and leaned on the back of it. He had no idea what had happened in the months since he had seen Laura last, but he had an idea that he was not going to like it.

When the colour had returned to Laura’s cheeks, he helped her into a small drawing room and placed her on a more comfortable sofa. “Wait here,” he instructed and moved to a side room. He had a small area for storing food that did not need keeping in a kitchen. The rooms did not have their own kitchen. His landlady provided the warm meals that he needed.

He brought out some bread and cheese. His unsociable working hours meant that he always had a ready supply of food. In his job, there were very often long periods of time without the opportunity of sourcing food and he would not dare to knock on his landlady’s door at two or three of the clock in the night and demand to be fed.

“Eat these,” he instructed Laura. “It will make you feel better. I am guessing you haven’t eaten for a while.”

“Not since last night,” Laura admitted, falling onto the food as if she had been starved for a week.

“That isn’t good for a woman in your condition,” Alfred said, not able to prevent the tone of disapproval in his voice.

Laura paused from eating and met Alfred’s gaze. “You must think I am the lowest of the low,” she said quietly, losing her appetite at the tone of Alfred’s voice.

“I’m in no position to judge you,” Alfred replied. It was true, he normally would not judge Laura. She was a lady of the night, most who chose that occupation had no other option, except to starve. He could not condemn someone for trying to survive, even if the consequence were unwanted pregnancies. The reason that it had affected him so much was because she was the only woman who he had ever considered….., ever wished that their lives could have been different. Only their lives were what they were, and although he had a lump of lead in his stomach that felt that it was the size of a large boulder, he would have to accept that Laura had been with other men, many other men.

“I want this baby,” Laura responded defensively.

Alfred gritted his teeth. “Is that why you want my help?”

“No!” Laura said. “You gave me enough money for me to support myself and the baby, but there is something else.”

“Go on,” Alfred said.

He sat down as Laura told him everything that had happened since they had last met. Of the chaos when the property that Baron Kersal had lived in was raided by his colleagues, and how they had all scattered into London. Each had been thankful for the escape, but worried about the future. Even being in a trade such as hers, it had provided security, three meals a day and a roof over her head. For many of the girls, it was better than they had known before.

Laura explained that she had hesitated when thinking about leaving London, it was her home and all she had known. She went on to tell him of the place she had settled in with Clara and the efforts they were making in trying to make a respectable living.

“You had given me money, but I wanted to make sure it lasted and provided for the baby as well,” Laura explained, not quite meeting Alfred’s eyes.

“What about the father?” Alfred asked, unable to stop himself.

“Would you be happy if a woman of ill-repute came knocking on your door, saying that you were the father of her child?” Laura asked defiantly, but watching closely at the response to her words.

“I probably wouldn’t believe her,” Alfred replied coldly. He was not normally so emotional, but Laura’s condition had caused his insides to twist and turn as thoughts raced through his head. He was being harsh with her, the last person in the world he would normally hurt, but at the moment he could not stop himself.

Laura felt a part of her die at his words, but carried on with her story. She explained how the news that the Baron had walked away a free man had not really affected them, since they had not expected their lives to ever cross again. Then she told him about Sarah and Veronica disappearing.

“Could they not just have left the area?” Alfred asked.

“No,” Laura said firmly. “They had nowhere else to go. Veronica certainly did not have any family to go too. I didn’t truly believe that they were dead until I saw what happened to Clara though.”

She explained what had happened by the side of the Thames. “Was it the first time you had seen the man?” Alfred asked.

“Yes, I think so,” Laura said, trying to remember. “The problem is that in the area that we live in, you don’t tend to make eye contact with most of the men in the area, as it could cause problems. If he was only following Clara, I wouldn’t have noticed him, we weren’t together all the time.”

“He probably wasn’t following her for long anyway,” Alfred admitted, more to himself than Laura. “You weren’t exactly hiding, so he would have found it easy to track you down.”

Laura shuddered at the thought of someone watching them without their knowledge. “If Clara hadn’t wanted to wait another day,” she said quietly.

“I don’t think it would have saved her,” Alfred said honestly. “If he was waiting to act, any sign from either of you that you were on the move, would just have made him act sooner. You were lucky that you had the presence of mind to get away.”

“Yes and the help of a decent clergyman who believed what I said. He could have easily cast me out,” Laura said.

“What now?” Alfred asked. “There is no hope of linking this back to Baron Kersal, if that was what you were hoping.”

“Oh no!” Laura said quickly. “I never want to see that man again. I was being selfish. You are the only person in London who knows my background and who I trust. I was hoping you could help me to get away, hire a carriage and put as much distance between me and London as possible. I should have done it as soon as the Runners raided us.”

“Yes, you should,” Alfred said roughly. He was not being cruel, just practical. “Where are you going to go? Have you any family?”

“No,” Laura replied. “It’s the reason I know for certain that Veronica did not have any family, we talked a lot about our pasts, they were so similar. I just thought I would use the money you gave me to put as much distance between me and here as I can. I hadn’t thought about much beyond that if I’m honest.”

“You need to go somewhere where you are sure you will receive support, or you will just swap one set of problems for another,” Alfred said. He sat and thought for a while before speaking again. He had thought of most options, some of which he knew were selfish and immediately had to be dismissed. He finally decided that in reality there was only one option that Laura had.

“We shall have to write to Lord Halkyn and ask for his assistance,” Alfred said, sure that the peer would give it.

“I know I helped to give information about Baron Kersal, but why would he help now?” Laura asked.

“He will always feel obliged to you because of his wife,” Alfred responded, smiling at the expressions that passed over Laura’s face as she realised the implications of Alfred’s words.

“You mean he……..she’s gone and………well I never!” she finally said, half laughing, half shocked.

Alfred smiled, “It seems she was a good match for him. There was no doubt that he was smitten with her from the first time that I met him,” Alfred said, remembering the Lord who was determined to seek revenge for the girl who Baron Kersal had tried to wrong. It had only been through Laura’s guidance and Lord Halkyn’s help that Charlotte Webster had been able to escape.

The result had been that Lord Halkyn, a confirmed bachelor had then fallen in love with the girl. It had not been an easy journey for them, but Alfred had not been surprised when he had received notification of their recent marriage.

“Well I didn’t expect that to happen,” Laura said. “Who’d have thought that little innocent Charlotte could capture the cold hearted lord?”

“He wasn’t very cold and aloof when it was anything to do with Lady Halkyn,” Alfred said, remembering the times he had been with Lord Halkyn. The emotions had ranged from raging lord, determined to seek revenge, to drunken wastrel, wallowing in self-pity, when the romance was not going as he hoped.

“Lady Halkyn, how lovely that sounds,” Laura said. There was no bitterness in her words, people like Charlotte seemed to deserve happy endings more than her own kind did. “Do you think they would help?”

“There’s no reason why they wouldn’t. But for you, they would never have met,” Alfred responded. “You are only asking for a place to shelter, which, if they knew what has happened, I’m sure they would offer without hesitation.”

Laura felt the wave of relief wash over her at the possibility of a solution. “How will I contact them?” she asked.

“I will send a letter, I think it would be better if it came from me,” ever the practical Alfred offered. “I will send it to Lord Halkyn’s London house, even though I know he is not there. They will know where he is.”

“Can you suggest somewhere safe I can stay until we get a reply?” Laura asked.

Alfred paused. He was being foolish he decided, as he uttered the next words. “You are in the safest place. You got here unobserved, and to leave would put you at risk, so you can stay here.”

“How can I?” Laura asked, but the jolt of pleasure that had shot through her at Alfred’s words was the nicest feeling she had felt in a long time.

“It is going to be difficult,” Alfred admitted. “I am going to have to feign illness, otherwise we are going to have Mrs Edwards, my landlady, coming in to clean.”

Between them they concocted a plan that although far-fetched, because of Alfred’s previous impeccable behaviour, was more likely to be believed.