Chapter 2 #2
Violet nodded, a wide grin transforming her round face. She threw her arms around Dottie, almost toppling them both over. “Goodness, child. Don’t send us both to the infirmary with your gratitude.”
But Violet had made her heart lighter, and she felt a genuine smile curve her lips for the first time in a month. It felt good. Right. She’d think of something to tell Mrs. Clatterly.
The tavern was busy, and Dottie ushered Violet into her room. “Strip off those filthy clothes, and I’ll fetch water for a bath.”
Violet shook her head. Disgust curled her lip.
“This is not a choice. If you wish to remain a grubby waif, then off you go. I’ll not share my bed unless you’re clean, and I’ve combed your hair for lice.”
Violet sighed, her small shoulders drooping.
“Well, that wasn’t much of a fight. Good.” Dottie went out to the pump for water and to find a tub.
When she returned, the girl was inspecting the room, drawing a finger over the wood chair, walking to the bed, and pushing on the mattress, a surprised smile lighting her face.
“Do you approve?”
Violet nodded, undressed with no modesty, and stepped into the small tub. She gasped as water was unceremoniously dumped on her head.
“Gracious me. Your hair is blonde!”
An hour later, Violet sat on a stool in front of Dottie, wearing an old shift that had been cut at the bottom.
The girl would need clothes. Dottie had refused to wear mourning for a man she had never really known and went with the story that she’d been widowed over a year.
Instead, she’d sold her more impractical dresses except for one her father had given her.
With the money, she’d bought sturdier material of brown, dark blue, and gray for clothes that would last longer through the summer and winter months.
“I have some material tucked away. You’ll have a new dress by the end of the week. We can take in this old shift and perhaps make a cap from the half I cut off.”
Violet nodded, yawned, and leaned back against Dottie’s legs while she brushed out her hair.
Within minutes, she snored quietly. What kind of life had the girl had before today?
Fate had sent her, and Dottie would heed the call.
She was lonely, and if Violet wanted to stay, they’d find a way.
Perhaps Violet could help her atone for Robert’s past.
That night, after a supper of bread, cold meat, and cheese—which Violet stuffed into her mouth like a squirrel storing nuts—they curled up together in the small bed.
She had a good start on a dress, and the girl’s tattered clothes had been washed and hung to dry.
She’d cut the old sleeves and hem shorter, removing the ragged edges so the gown didn’t look quite so bad.
There was nothing to do for the stains, but at least the child would smell better.
It was the first night she did not dream of the gallows. Instead, she was running in a field of violets, laughing and swinging a little blonde girl in a circle. They fell onto the soft grass—
“Mrs. Brown!” Thump, thump, thump. “Mrs. Brown, I hate to bother you.”
Dottie woke with a start. “Coming, Mrs. Clatterly. Just a moment.” Had she overslept?
Violet stirred and made a snuffling sound, her eyelids fluttering, then rolled over as Dottie rose from the bed. She opened the door to find a frazzled landlady.
“I’m sorry to bother ye, but Mr. Clatterly’s leg is acting up again.
When it gets this bad, he’s got to stay off it until the swelling goes down.
” She pushed a gray curl under her mobcap and shook her head.
“I’m in a pickle. Is there any way you could take over the kitchen this morning while I stay out with the patrons?
I can find some extra help later today, so I won’t trouble you tomorrow. ”
“Of course, ma’am. You’ve been so kind. I’d be happy to help out.”
“Oh, you’re an angel, you are. Once you’re dressed, I’ll show you what I’ve got started. Then I’ll ready the public room for the early customers. I have several who come to take breakfast.” She scurried away, then returned. “And please help yourself too. Thank you, again.”
Though a bum leg wasn’t ideal for Mr. Clatterly, it was the perfect opportunity to install Violet as a scullery maid. Once she had a stool so she could reach the sink, the girl washed dishes with gusto. There was a constant smile on her face, making her brown eyes twinkle.
Mrs. Clatterly took to her instantly. “Where’d you find this pretty little thing?”
Dottie was ready with her story. “My late husband’s sister had some…
debts. I’ve written to relations, but if you don’t mind her staying with me until we hear from someone?
She doesn’t mind helping out.” Though she hated to lie, she couldn’t say she’d found the waif when she said goodbye to her husband at the gallows.
“No trouble at all. In debtors’ prison, is she? Poor thing. Horrible places, I’ve heard.”
Dottie said a quick prayer of thanks for finding the Clatterlys and began chopping carrots for the day’s soup. By the time she’d finished with the landlady’s work, she was running late and hurriedly packed her cart with her berry tarts and pasties.
“I’ll be back soon,” she told Violet, who nodded with a smile.
She wondered about her new companion and whether she’d ever spoken. Had something happened or was she born that way? Dottie would ask her tonight. Perhaps she was just extremely shy. She’d known a girl at the school who rarely spoke, and when she did, it was in a whisper.
The weather was cooler today, so there were more people strolling the graveled paths of St. James’s Park. She had sold half the tarts and most of her shortbread when she spied a familiar gentleman approaching on horseback.
The handsome man from… The thought of Newgate made her stomach clench, and she turned her head to avoid meeting his eyes should he look her way. But as the clip clop of horses’ hooves grew nearer, she took a deep breath.