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She had no idea where she might seek lodging. She had no idea how long the money her mother had given her might last. She had no idea even of what a good bargain or a bad one might be.
Nor any concept of what she would do when the money ran out. It would, at some point, she knew.
She’d always been told that disgraced women were destined for the brothels and back alleys, and she was beginning to be terrified that it was true.
The plop of a fat, icy raindrop on her arm startled her out of her thoughts. She flinched, then huddled in on herself as more drops fell, increasing steadily until she stood in a fair deluge.
In minutes she was shivering, soaked, and completely at a loss for what to do next. Nothing looked familiar. Nothing looked like a source of shelter. She was freezing, her stomach aching with a need for sustenance.
And she had not the slightest idea where to turn.
Tears prickled in her eyes, then escaped to join the rain sliding down her face.
Gods above... what am I to do?
“Hoi there, love.” Eleanora started as a voice broke the sound of the falling rain. She looked up.
A few feet away was a young woman. She was dressed in simple but comfortable-looking clothing, a dress topped with a shawl. In the dim light of the street lamp, Eleanora could make out her reddish hair and lightly tanned skin. Then her attention skittered to the most important thing.
The woman was holding an umbrella over her head, tilted just far enough that the light could touch upon her features.
The woman took a few steps closer. “Hello there.”
Eleanora swallowed and forced her nearly frozen jaw to unclench. “H-h-hello.”
The woman gestured. “I’ve some space here under the umbrella if you’ve a mind to share. You look like you’ll freeze else.”
“I... thank you.” Eleanor grabbed her bags and huddled under the offered shelter gratefully, too cold, wearied and heartsick to care much who the woman was. “I b-beg your pardon. I’m…” She paused, then decided on a name. “Nora. Just Nora.” Eleanora Beaumont was no more; Nora seemed more appropriate for her situation.
“I am Scarlett.” Nora blinked at the name, and the young woman—about Nora’s own age—smiled and shrugged. “It’s a name, and I’m well-pleased with it. It serves me well enough.” She began to move up the street. “Now, I’ve lodgings not far from here, if you like. Or if you’re looking for somewhere or someone in particular…” She trailed off. “You’ll pardon me, but you seemed a little lost... were you waiting for someone?”
Nora swallowed back a bitter laugh like a sob. “No. No one. And nowhere.” She curled her arms around herself. “There’s... no one. I’m alone.”
“Hard luck, that.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She tightened her arms over her stomach, feeling the faintest flutter of life there. “I shan’t be alone for long. There will be two of us before long.”
“That’s the way of it, is it?” Scarlett’s eyes and her voice were warm and sympathetic. She walked along in silence for a long moment. Then she paused. “I don’t mean to presume, Nora, but... I should very much like…”
She stopped, then started again. “My lodgings aren’t so large, but they’re big enough for two, I daresay. You could come in and get warm and dry, at the least.”
The idea of warmth, of being able to change into dry clothing—such simple things sounded like a definition of heaven. Nora opened her mouth to respond, only to flush as her stomach rumbled loudly. She ducked her head. “I... do you know where I might be able to find a place to procure food?”
Scarlett smiled. “I do at that. There’s food aplenty at my lodgings. It’ll be simple fare, hot stew, and yesterday’s bread, but it’s warm and filling enough.”
Nora blinked. “I don’t want to... I couldn’t put you to any trouble….” She fumbled for her belt. “I... I do have some funds…” She stopped as Scarlett’s hand closed gently over hers.
“I’ll not take your money for a day’s company, nor even if you should choose to stay the night. You’d hardly be causing me any issues. Truth, I’d welcome the company.”
Warmth banished the chill of the rain and the wind and some of the ache in Nora’s heart. “You mean... you would?”
“Of course. I know well it’s not easy being a single young woman on her own. And I daresay we could both do better together than apart.” Scarlett tipped her head thoughtfully. “And there’s an idea if you’ve a mind for it. “
“I... what?” Nora blinked.
“Stay a bit. It’s far safer to be two than one in London, especially in some of the rougher parts of town. And I’ll wager you need someplace until you’ve found proper employment, no?”
She hadn’t even thought of that. “Y-yes.”
