Meredith Duran - A Ladys Lesson in Scandal

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2011 by Meredith McGuire

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Pocket Star Books paperback edition July 2011

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Designed by Esther Paradelo

Cover illustration by Gene Mollica

Hand lettering by Dave Gatti

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN 978-1-4516-0693-5

ISBN 978-1-4516-0699-7 (ebook)

B y the time the whistle finished shrilling, Nell was already out the door. She knew she shouldnt push; once or twice thered been a stampede and somebody had gotten hurt, broken a leg or arm. But she couldnt slow down. Ever since Mum had taken to wheezing, Nell was finding it harder to breathe, too. No longer could she ignore the thick stink of the workrooms or how often she had to cough as she rolled the cigars. By the end of the day there barely seemed air enough to fill her lungs.

Outside, in the dimming twilight, the damp breeze smelled sour from the coal smoke, but there was enough of it, and that was what mattered. She wove through the milling crowd, girls pausing to tuck their shawls down over their hair, to toss saucy remarks to the lads, chattering like they hadnt got better places to be than this infernal, stinking factory, and maybe they didnt, at that.

Finally she reached a stretch of open pavement. Relief hit her, and with it, a lifting of spirits. Nice thing about working at the factory: every day had a happy ending. She found a wall to lean on and settled against it just as a hand grabbed her elbow.

She ripped free and came face to face with Hannah. You scared the life out of me! she gasped.

Hannahs pale, freckled face was alight with excitement. Thats because youre a goose, Nellie. Whats your take for the week?

Nell looked around for eavesdroppers. Nineteen shillings. Her neck was cramped from hunching over the worktable and the ache in her knuckles would keep her awake tonight, but nineteen shillings was the best shed ever done.

Of course, it would sink to ten after her stepbrother, Michael, took his share. That wasnt enough to tempt a good doctor to the flat and eat next week besides.

Hannah pulled a face. Only fifteen for me. Usually she beat Nell by a crown; her fingers were cleverer. Was yesterday that did me in. I was going gorgeously but then the labor-mistress took a temper and made me unroll half the pile. Ah, well. She wiped a strand of honey blond hair from her eyes, then waggled the fingers of her uplifted hand. Dye like my gloves? Found em at Brennans dollyshop. Cost me two days wages, but theyre genuine kidskin, he said.

Oh, theyre lovely. In fact, the knuckles were cracked, and the white leather had long since grown dingy with use. In her friends place, Nell could have found better uses for a crown. Good tough wool, for instance. A new kettle. Some fresh fruitLord alive, her mouth watered for a crisp country apple.

Then again, she had chilblains, and Hannah didnt. So who was the wiser?

She took Hannahs arm and pulled her into step along the pavement. You wont let your father see them. If Garod Crowley found out that his daughter was keeping a bit of coin to herself, thered be an awful row.

Hannah laughed. Im no fool!

A passing lad made eyes in their direction. Nell didnt recognize him, so she frowned to send him on his way. He winked at her before turning onward, but despite her blush, she wasnt fooled: hed been admiring Hannah. With her heart-shaped face and big, velvet brown eyes, Han had grown dangerously pretty in the last two years.

Oh, say, Nellieare you coming to the GFS?

Nell had forgotten there was a meeting tonight. The ladies who ran the Girls Friendship Society had a tendency to lecture and a provoking way of trying to pry into a girls private affairs, but they also kept a brilliant collection of books that theyd lend to any girl who joined. I wish I could go, she said. But Mum was too sick now to leave alone. That last quacks potions had only made her worse.

Youve got to come! Theyre having a tea for us!

I know. How lovely. She would have enjoyed a proper cup. What with how hard she was saving, she couldnt afford aught but bohea tea these days.

The thought dimmed her mood. She could save all she liked, but it was a slow effort. Meanwhile, Mum grew worse almost by the hour.

to give us gifts as well, Hannah was chattering. You cant miss the meeting!

Ive no choice. Suzies got a shift at Motts tonight, and Mum cant be alone.

Hannah cast her a sharp glance. Let Michael look after your mum for once!

Nell almost laughed. That would be the day. Ever since Mum had taken too ill to work, Michael wanted nothing to do with her. Suddenly he remembered he was only a stepson. I expect hell want to keep company with Suzie. He enjoyed the fast atmosphere of the supper club where his wife kept barand the fine liquor Suzie slipped him when she was working there.

He enjoyed Suzies wages, too. Didnt let a penny slip past for his wife to keep. Nell couldnt count on her to help.

What she needed was a moneylender. They scrupled at loaning to a woman, but somebody probably would agree to lend to Michael in her stead.

Would Michael hand over the money once he had it, though? Hed never been one to share. Last year, hed come into a handsome windfall somehow but hed put every penny of it toward his political club. Now hed washed his hands of politics, but gambling and gin kept his pockets empty. If he took a loan and refused to share it Nell couldnt think what she would do.

Or rather, she could. She knew exactly how to solve her difficulties. Michael would be more than willing to help on that point. But she couldnt do it. The very idea made her bones go cold and the gorge rise in her throat. Milk once spoiled is naught but rubbish, Mum always said.

Then again, Mum told her all they needed was prayer. It didnt make a girl a heathen to know that wasnt true.

Miserable, she glanced toward Hannah. Theyd lived in the same building as children, walked to school together, spent Sunday evenings making mischief in the road. Theyd kept nothing from each other while growing up. But lately that had changed. Things were happening that Nell couldnt manage to speak about for shame. My stepbrother wants to whore me: how did a girl bring herself to say that? And what use in doing so? Hannah had naught but sympathy to give.

Still, a bit of sympathy sounded so lovely right now. Nell gathered her courage. Han, Ive got to tell you

Oh, would you look at that! Hannah dropped her arm to fly toward a shopfront. The gas lamps burning in the window illuminated a row of photographic prints.