Chapter Four
Victoria noted LordThompson when he left Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office, but she made no move to speak to him, for she would not wish to be seen within these four walls, and she was somewhat surprised to discover him here. He was with two other sharply dressed young men, along with a man called “Titan,” according to the woman who had shown her into the gaming hell. The woman, known as Hermia, said “Titan” managed the Lyon’s Den, whatever that meant.
A few days prior, Victoria had received a note in the post from Cassandra, which said her sister had found new employment and hoped soon to have enough money to raise the child on her own. Victoria did not see a means for such to be true, though she had said a prayer for her sister’s continued well-being. In her estimation, Cassandra must be far enough along for others to know of her condition.
Interrupting Victoria’s thoughts, Hermia tapped on the door to say, “The mistress will speak to you now.”
Victoria gathered her belongings and moved quickly to leave the room where she had made a point not to look upon the decor. There was too much gold trim for her taste and that did not address thenumerous paintings of men and women in various stages of undress and… Well, she was not confident in their purposes beyond copulation.
Hermia tapped on the door of another nearby room. “Miss Whitchurch, Mrs. Dove-Lyon.”
The woman identified as the owner of the Lyon’s Den turned from where she poured herself a glass of dark liquid. She was well-dressed in what could only be called mourning clothes, including a veil that covered much of her face. “Hermia tells me you have a question regarding your sister, Miss Whitchurch.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon made no gesture for Victoria to sit, nor did the lady do so. “Then speak your question, girl. I have a business to run.”
Victoria’s shoulders stiffened in a mixture of intimidation and awe, but she quickly found her voice. “I received a message from my sister Cassandra. It was written on paper that had a symbol that I have come to believe indicates she wrote it from your establishment, ma’am.”
“Was this recently?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked.
“Yes, ma’am. Earlier this week. That is when I received it. This is my day off and my first opportunity to call upon you.”
“Might I read what was written?” the woman asked. “I assure you I know no one named ‘Cassandra’ among those I employ, but perhaps someone is using a name not her own. That happens in our business.”
Victoria assuredly would not use her real name if she chose to work inside these walls. “Such as Hermia?” she asked, with a small smile as she handed over the paper to the woman.
Though she could not know with confidence, Victoria thought the woman also smiled. “I prefer names that are unusual in British society, but not its literature: Puck, Theseus, Hermia, Lysander, and the like.A Midsummer’s Night’s Dreamis my favorite Shakespeare play.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon read the message and handed it back to Victoria. “From the date on the paper and the nature of what was said, I wouldassume your sister was the girl I knew as ‘Meredith.’”
“‘Meredith’ is one of my sister’s names after our godmother,” Victoria said with a bit of excitement in her voice. Though she would not be happy for Cassandra to be working in a gaming hell, she would be thankful to be reunited with her sister. “Is she here? Might I speak to her?”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon permitted silence to fall between them. “Perhaps you might have a seat, Miss Whitchurch.”
Victoria swallowed hard as she sank onto a nearby chair. “Is the news ill, ma’am? If it is, tell me at once. I assure you I am strong enough to learn what has occurred.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon nodded what felt to be approval, though Victoria could not say such was true with any confidence. “‘Meredith’ was not of the nature to live this life,” the lady began. “Those within these walls are ‘injured’ in ways no one must know. Your sister originally asked to work the floor, but I do not permit men and women to mingle in the gaming rooms. Next, she asked to be one of the ladies who men pay for their favors.”
Tears formed in Victoria’s eyes, and she knew she had whimpered when she heard Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s description of how far her sister had fallen. “How is that possible?” Victoria asked. “She… she…”
“Your sister is already with child,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon spoke the obvious. “I could not permit her to perform thusly. I offered to place her in one of the homes we maintain, but she refused. Does your family not know the father’s name? Can they not seek restitution?”
“The son of my father’s patron.” Victoria was not confident she should be speaking of these very private matters with a stranger, but she sensed Mrs. Dove-Lyon could be trusted. “No resolution was offered. We have lost everything,” she admitted as tears slid down her cheeks and her bottom lip began to tremble. “Cassandra believed the young gentleman would marry her.”
There was a long pause before Mrs. Dove-Lyon said, “And youmust remain strong for all of them?” It was as if this woman who was not in society understood the evils of society better than anyone Victoria had ever met.
She wished to nod the truth, but, instead, she rolled her shoulders into place. “I am grateful to you, ma’am. You have been very generous with your time.” She stood and turned to leave, but Mrs. Dove-Lyon stopped her.
“I believe your sister has taken a position in one of the great houses of London, Miss Whitchurch,” the woman said. “About the same time as your Cassandra was to go into the safety of our house for the women and children, one of my employees reported she had seen Meredith leave with a woman seeking my services in what many call ‘matchmaking.’ I did not view this for myself, but Helena is quite observant and always trustworthy.”
Victoria let out a heavy sigh. “Was this recently, ma’am?”
“I cannot speak to the exact day, for we are always busy at the Lyon’s Den, and the days speed by faster than any of us would like. Yet, I would say just a bit over a fortnight.”
Victoria closed her eyes in a brief moment of thanksgiving. “Then I shall return to the room we once let together and wait for her return. Thank you again, ma’am. I am truly indebted to you for your attempts to protect my sister.”
“Hermia!” Mrs. Dove-Lyon called without a response to Victoria’s praise.
