“Come and kiss Mama.” The woman opened her arms, and the child rushed to her, laughing.
The man kissed the child’s head, and a squeaking “Papa” came out of the child.
They laughed together.
Beautiful. The feeling of being surrounded by love and of building something so precious with someone she deeply loved had to be the best in the world. No matter what Mama said, building a family was Angeline’s dream.
She wanted to be as happy as that woman. She wanted to have a family and grow old with the man she loved. Mama might think that dream was silly, but Angeline’s heart thudded faster whenever she saw happy families. Maybe because she’d never had one. She loved her mother despite everything, but a big family was another thing.
While every other young woman had to deal with match-making mamas who pushed one possible suitor after another towards their daughters, Angeline had the completely opposite problem. Her mama considered marriage the worst thing that ever happened to humankind after the invention of crinolines. A free woman held more power than a wife was her motto.
Shaking her head, she took the side alleyway that would take her to the main street when her mother came from the other direction, head down and quick feet.
“Mama?”
Her mother jolted. Her large hat hid her face, and her long cloak covered her from chin to ankle. “Angeline. Thank goodness.” She took Angeline’s good hand and led her to a dark corner. “I was looking for you.”
“Is something the matter?” Angeline was almost scared of asking.
Her mother panted, glancing around. “Do you trust me?”
“That’s a tricky question after your latest confession. Tell me what is going on. No lies, please.”
Mama exhaled. “We must leave London for a while.”
“What? Don’t tell me one of the lords you blackmailed wants revenge.”
“Shush!” Mama gazed around. “It’s complicated. See, I’ve been meeting with a prominent physician?—”
“You blackmail even doctors now. What’s next? Vicars? Judges of the peace?”
“No, it’s not what you think. This physician is helping me with medicinal herbs… never mind. It’s a long story.” Mama exhaled through her teeth. “Please go home, pack a few essential things, and wait for me. I’ll be with you as soon as possible, but you must be ready to leave when I come back.”
“Where are you going? To see Lord Havisham?”
“No, I would never meet a lover in his own house.” Mama inched closer and lowered her voice. “Please do as I say and be quick. Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t stop to buy anything. Just go home and get ready.”
A combination of frustration and worry itched along her skin. “See what a mess we are in? You promised to stop.”
Mama jabbed a finger at her. “No, I didn’t do such a thing.Youordered me to stop. I’ve never said I would.”
“Goodness, Mama.” Angeline rubbed the ache on her forehead. “You’ll send us to prison.”
“Not if we’re careful.” Mama ushered Angeline towards the other side of the alleyway. “We don’t have time to discuss. This is a serious matter.”
“Who is chasing us?”
“It’s better if you don’t know for now.”
“Mama,” Angeline half-whispered, half-hissed. “This business of yours must stop.”
Mama seized her good arm. “Too late now. Go home and wait for me. Now.” She hurried away, leaving Angeline in the company of too many questions.
And the worst thing was that she wouldn’t see Mr. Alexander any time soon.
