This was no condition in which to face adversaries. Or even to discover if that was what they were. With something very like desperation, he dragged his gaze away from her, trying to concentrate on the music, on the audience. He recognized a bishop and an earl. Other people had squashed into the room—servants and women dressed in ordinary clothing, all listening to the music. One girl was positively entranced.
Grey must have seen his lingering gaze. “She is a budding musician,” he murmured.
Even more confusing, when the recital had ended, Mrs. Grey took the girl to meet Darrow before he could speak to any of her more important guests.
“Who were those other young women who have now vanished?” Han asked Grey, who was still with him. “Do they live and work here?”
“Yes, for now.”
“They were not dressed to please,” Han said delicately.
“They don’t do that kind of work. You have to think of this place as a co-operative. Everyone contributes and everyone has their needs met as far as possible. Edith, the musician you noticed, is studying music; another is learning bookkeeping. One is about to become a clerk with a respectable company, and one is returning to her profession as a cook. Another is learning the same trade. The maids who serve this evening will go into formal service, either domestically or in hotels and eating houses.”
“Fromhere?” Han stared. “Why?”
“Because Constance found them on the street. If you wish to describe it so, they all have one thing in common—they are what the world smugly callsfallen women. Constance helps raise them up again in whatever way they wish.”
“And if they wish to remain…?” He trailed off, reluctant to say the word for some reason.
“In the same profession?” Grey said coolly. “Then they are safer doing so here, with food and shelter and medical care, where violent men cannot beat them or abuse them. These women’s stories are appalling. They should make us ashamed, angry, determined to help. And yet we turn our backs because they arefallen women. Some even regard that as their Christian duty, while the men who used and abused them—in some cases even caused their fall in the first place—walk freely amongst us as respected members of the church and Society.”
“That is a novel way of looking at things,” Han said slowly.
“It just requires a little thought. Who achieves more? The reformers who preach repentance for a heavenly reward? Or my wife, who provides them with food and shelter without judgment, and gives them a real chance to better themselves?” Grey gave a deprecating smile. “But you need not listen to me rambling on. You may speak to whomever you wish.”
“Is that a euphemism?” Han asked, suddenly suspicious.
“No,” Mrs. Grey said, suddenly appearing beside him. “You have to pay for the euphemism.”
*
“Why has hecome?” Constance asked Solomon in a private moment, while Cordell spoke to Carl Darrow, Sarah, and Hildie.
“Partly because he’s genuinely interested. I think he’s looking for a cause, lots of causes, to give him the courage to defy his father and go into politics. And partly…I think he wants to tell us something.”
“About St. John?”
“Hopefully.”
Before the guests had arrived, they had already heard about Janey’s inquiries among the St. John servants. On the night their master had died, he had not used a horse or the carriage. The servants all seemed to have been genuinely fond of him, although they were warier of his wife. The son, Anthony, was a quiet, polite boy preparing for university in the autumn. The daughter, Bella, was a little full of herself since her engagement. Some of the servants were afraid Cordell would call the wedding off because of the scandal of their master’s death.
“They claim he was a good man with no vices,” Janey had said with blatant disbelief. “Always faithful to his wife. Although they slept in different rooms.”
“Many couples do, if they have the space,” Constance had said mildly. “Especially as they grow older. Did you get the impression they had quarreled?”
“No,” Janey said doubtfully. She scowled, clearly struggling for the right words. “I had the impression they weren’t…close.”
“As a family?” Solomon asked.
She shook her head. “They both seem to have been devoted to the children—spoiled them, even. Both were thrilled by the engagement. The wedding gown and the full trousseau are already ordered from the most expensive dressmaker in town. The parents were happy, just not…with each other. They rarely did anything together, except for show.”
“Wassheunfaithful?” Constance asked.
“No such whisper from the servants,” Janey said. “But then, there probably wouldn’t be, would there? They’re good, loyal people.”
“Well done,” Constance had told her. “Perhaps you should try neighboring servants tomorrow? Come into the office first, though. I want you to show Hat what to do in the office…”
Janey had certainly provided a better impression of the family’s reality, but Constance looked forward to whatever they could learn from Cordell, who was almost inside it. The man had watched her all evening. She was not blind to his admiration. After all, inspiring such attraction had become second nature to her. He might have come from mere curiosity, but he was not here for the girls. On the other hand, would he know from her marriage to Solomon that she was off the menu? He had no way of knowing that she had never been on it.
