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“That wasn’t illegal the last time I checked,” Carmen said. “You cannot just encroach a property according to your whim! We have the appropriate papers that prove our claim,” Carmen said calmly. “We can show it to you if you so desire. We can even ask our landlord to see you if you so wish.”
“I’ll be back later,” the constable huffed, glaring at the women who had gathered behind her.
Lily eyed Carmen with concern. “Do you think he’ll come back?”
“If he does, he won’t find anything here,” Carmen said. “He just can’t stand the fact that women can live and thrive without needing any men.”
The constable left and the mood lightened. “Wear your bonnets and hats properly, ladies, it’s going to be hot outside,” bellowed Willow, a recent recruit, and the others cheered, anticipating what they were going to accomplish today. Remi stood at the back, watching them but not participating. The woman looked far better than she had yesterday.
Carmen walked up to her. “Would you like to join us?”
She shook her head, not meeting her gaze when she spoke. “No thank you. I would like to stay in.”
Carmen nodded. She had found an extra mat and blanket for her to sleep at night and had half expected Remi to leave before dawn. Many women she had tried to rescue from the streets had gone back to their trade, vanished before the crack of dawn. “We’re happy to have you here. You can stay back with Elaine, help in kitchen duties if you so incline.”
“Thank you,” Remi said, looking out the window wistfully. Carmen saw her own reflection in Remi and shuddered at the waves of memories rising inside her, then quickly turned away.
“All right, out the door everyone! The day is ours to claim today,” Carmen called out, ushering the women out of the door. They giggled and chattered, anticipating what was to come. Carmen liked seeing them like that—joyful and sunny, a drastic change to how they appeared when they had first arrived here.
Together, they walked down the sunny street. Some of the women had hand-drawn posters sewed into their dresses. They drew attention by clapping in unison, dancing and singing and even handing out flyers for those who were interested. Some of the passersby stopped to look, and a few rowdy men showered them with whistles and lewd comments.
Carmen stayed at the back of the group. Whenever any men tried to draw nearer, she held the stick in her hand up high.
“They’re afraid of you,” Lily said falling into step beside her.
“Well, they better be,” Carmen said. The sight of most men made something vile rise in her throat.
About a half-an hour of dancing down the street, they finally reached the Vauxhall Gardens. Originally built half a century before, it was a great expanse of lush green space where people came to enjoy an evening stroll or catch an open play of performers.
They were about to cross the road when a carriage careened toward them. “Watch your step.” Carmen shouted at the driver. These men would like nothing better to ignore their existence. But they were there, and they would be loud and proud.
She expected the carriage to drive away. But it came to an abrupt halt a few feet away. It was a handsome coach and probably belonged to a rich Lord. A piece of her past flashed in front of her eyes, but she shoved it away and concentrated on the footman now walking towards her, his finger raised in a threatening gesture.
Carmen raised her chin and met him halfway. “You should drive carefully, especially in a crowded place as this. You could have easily injured any of us.” She swept a hand to indicate the women around her who glared at the footmen. A few murmurs of approval followed.
The footman sneered. “I know the like of you.” He threw a disproving look at the women. “What do you want? Coins? Is that why you are raising a ruckus here? This place belongs to the gentlefolk, if you have forgotten that.”
Carmen raised a brow seemingly unperturbed. “I hardly raised a ruckus. You stopped on your own.”
“My employer—he told me to check on you,” he said darkly, preferring to be someplace else.
Carmen folded her arms over her chest. “Where is your employer?” Did the man had the audacity to send his servant and for what, to chastise them?
“I want to speak to him,” Carmen said. Usually, she wouldn’t bother, but the callousness this man was showing after almost hitting her didn’t sit right with her.
“He won’t get down from the carriage.”
“Then I shall go to him,” Carmen. She held the placard in her hand. “Lead the way.”
The man reluctantly started towards the carriage, and Carmen motioned the other women to follow. When they reached the carriage, a little girl of about seven was peeking out the carriage window. She had the most beautiful violet-colored eyes and Carmen stifled an urge to reach up to her and touch her cheeks. She mentally shook her head.
You’re missing someone who doesn’t exist in your life anymore, she reminded herself.
“Hello,” she called out from the window, her eyes curiously raking in the women and the colorful dresses they wore. “Who are you?”
“We’re musicians and dancers,” Carmen explained. “We are here to promote our musical hall which shall be opening its doors shortly.”
“How lovely!” the little girl exclaimed. Carmen had been so caught up talking to her and almost didn’t notice the man sitting next to her. Her breath caught. His head was a shock of dark brown hair and his eyes were piercing blue as if he saw right through her. His eyes were on her, and Carmen felt herself frozen to her spot, held by the weight of his gaze.
