Page 69 of The Laudanum Ladies' Society

‘Nothing I can say for definite. If I find anything else…’

‘Don’t try! Don’t go back. It’s enough that you think the area is worth investigating further. I cannot think of you putting yourself in the path of dangerous people.’

Gwen stared at him, stomach twisting in agony and unable to explain that she was already walking along that path. Heleant forward and took her face between his hands, held her steady and kissed her. Unlike their childhood kiss, it was assured and expertly delivered, his lips confident and firm, with a teasing hint of stubble on his upper lip. She closed her eyes and moaned with longing. A little flame, one that she had believed forever extinguished, was reignited.

At the sound, Danny pulled away. ‘I’m sorry, that was inexcusable,’ he muttered. He lowered his eyes. ‘I beg your pardon.’

He had more restraint than Gwen because he passed by her, opened the door and walked away. Gwen put her fingers to her face where his had been, feeling the warmth of her flaming cheeks beneath them. She waited a few moments more before leaving the room and walked out of the hotel, determinedly avoiding the judgemental eyes of the clerk.

Chapter Twenty

Jenny had waited anxiously for word from Gwen, expecting a note. She’d spent the afternoon practising a new piece on the piano, but had not been able to settle, so when Gwen herself was announced, her nerves jangled.

‘Tell me everything,’ she said, taking Gwen by the arm and drawing her inside the parlour.

‘I think I have found Augusta’s brothel. Selina Salisbury arrived while I was watching and she went in, so I followed her. It didn’t look like a brothel, or at least not what I imagine one to look like, but there was a door to a barber’s next door, and I think that is how men go in and out. I confronted them both, and they as much as admitted they were involved.’

‘Slow down!’ Gwen was speaking fast, barely drawing a breath and giving Jenny no time to digest the rapid flow of information. She poured Gwen a glass of lemon cordial from the jug on top of the piano and made her take a sip.

‘Gwen, I’m not sure that was brave or foolish, but well done. You say Selina was there too?’

She thought back to the music hall and Selina’s presence in what Miriam had referred to as the ‘courtesan box’. It all painted a rather dubious picture, and Jenny wondered grimly what Uncle Conrad would say if he knew. Assuming he didn’t already.

‘I need to tell Miriam, and you need to tell your friend, Mr Parry,’ she said.

Something subtle in Gwen’s manner changed. A flicker of her eyelids and a twitch of her lips.

‘Does he already know?’ Jenny asked.

‘I went to see him at his hotel. I told him I had been looking, though I didn’t tell him where it is.’

Gwen sank down onto the piano stool. Her hand, still clutching the glass, shook. She took a large gulp of the cordial and swallowed, then gave a little moan of distress.

‘What else happened?’ Jenny prompted.

‘He told me he loved me and that he’d always loved me. He asked if I was happy and I couldn’t answer honestly.’ Gwen looked up, her expression bleak. ‘As I was leaving, he kissed me, and I let him. I kissed him back.’

‘Did you enjoy it?’

It wasn’t the appropriate response to an admission of infidelity, but it was the one which jumped to Jenny’s lips. Gwen put the glass on top of the piano and covered her face with her hands. Jenny moved the glass onto the lace doily and patted Gwen’s shoulder. She shouldn’t be happy for Gwen– who was apparently not happy about it– but after seeing how unpleasant Mr Walters was, she couldn’t help it.

‘I’m married and I should have nothing to do with another man, never mind kissing him. I shouldn’t have done it, except I saw the chance to grasp a moment of happiness. But If Mr Walters was to find out?—’

‘But he won’t, because who will tell him? I certainly won’t!’ Jenny said.

She perched on the end of the stool, and Gwen shuffled up to let her sit more comfortably.

‘You did enjoy it, though, didn’t you?’

Gwen nodded and even though she kept her head bowed, her cheeks moved to suggest she was smiling.

‘Well, I’m sure it isn’t the end of the world,’ Jenny said. ‘Let’s put it to one side, and decide what we’re going to do about Augusta and the missing girls. We aren’t even certain if they’re there. I think you were right not to tell Danny too much at this stage.’

Gwen raised her head. Her cheeks were rosy, but the guilty look had gone from her eyes. ‘There’s more. Danny won’t rest until he sees anyone involved in the business prosecuted for depravity… and I fear that would include us.’

Jenny’s stomach knotted. ‘But we aren’t involved in it.’

‘If Augusta is selling our product to the clients, I think that we are.’ Gwen wiped her hands over her face. ‘I don’t want him to know. If I can avoid the same sort of argument you have had with your friend, I will.’