The seriousness of his expression spoke of the danger of the situation. The people involved were not to be dismissed lightly.
“Very well.” With one last look at Daniel, she took the footman’s offered hand to alight, then clutched her reticule, crossed the busy street, and walked briskly toward the entrance.
She studied everyone she passed over the rim of her spectacles, praying to see Sarah. But to no avail. Heart pounding, she opened the door of the registry office, almost surprised to see it looked exactly as it had on her last visit. With a mental shake at her ridiculous thoughts, she reminded herself that just because she’d changed didn’t mean anything else had.
She had found her place in the world now, or rather, she hoped she had—and it was with Daniel. She need only convince him that she would make the perfect wife. Confidence filled her at the comforting thought, and she stepped inside, pausing near the entrance to search the crowd for Sarah.
The young woman had often followed Beatrice in the village, accompanying her as she called on the elderly or others in need. Beatrice hadn’t thought her mother would ever approve of Sarah leaving to find work in London. Mrs. Ramsey had made her condemnation clear when she’d learned of Beatrice’s plans to move to the city.
“No good comes from that foul place,” she’d said with a shake of her head. “Full of thieves and liars.”
Beatrice couldn’t imagine delivering the news that Mrs. Ramsey had been right, and her daughter had disappeared without a trace, just as had nearly happened to Beatrice. The thought made her shift her attention to the familiar clerk. Of course, his queue was the shortest one. Then again, for all she knew, the other clerks might not be unscrupulous. He was the one she wanted to talk to if she saw Sarah’s name in the ledger. She moved to the back of his while continuing to look for Sarah.
Luckily, there were only four people ahead of her. She could imagine all too well Daniel deciding it was taking too long and marching inside. It was imperative that she look at the ledger before he did.
At last, it was her turn. Though she didn’t know if the man would remember her, she avoided looking at him directly and tried to disguise her speech as well. The day she’d first arrived, he’d commented on how it sounded as if she was well educated. To think she’d thought him friendly and shared that her father, a vicar, had taught her everything she knew.
The anger the memory brought her was welcome as it gave her courage. “I’m looking for work,” she explained, just as she had the first time. “Preferably as a governess or companion.”
“Very well. Do you have previous experience?”
“No.”
“References?”
“No.”
She kept her gaze downcast but could feel his gaze searching her face. Was he deciding she’d do well for his foul scheme? Or had he taken heed of Daniel’s warning but now wished he were still involved because she seemed the perfect candidate for a brothel?
He explained the registration process then asked. “Are you new to London?”
Awareness flooded her that this was a chance to discover if he was still involved in sending women to Finch. “I am. I don’t know anyone here, so I was pleased to learn of this registry office upon my arrival.”
“We try to help as many as we can.”
The lie had her clenching her teeth to keep from protesting that it was quite the opposite, at least in her case.
He raised his hand to indicate to the clerk next to him that he wanted the ledger next. “Do you have a place to stay while you’re searching for employment?”
“Not as of yet.”
Over the top of her spectacles, Beatrice noted him looking about before leaning closer. “I don’t share this with everyone, but you seem like an exceptional young lady. There’s a reasonably priced boarding house not far from here that allows people to rent by the night.” He told her the name and location of the very same place where she’d stayed. “Tell Mr. and Mrs. Johnson that Mr. Vessey sent you.”
Beatrice’s stomach churned at the likely possibility that more unsuspecting women had been sent to Finch’s brothel. Dear heaven, had Sarah been one of them?
He handed her the open ledger book, pointing to the various columns and advising what she should enter where. While he spoke, she frantically searched the page for Sarah’s name but didn’t see it, so she turned the page to look at the previous one.
“You write your information on the other page,” Mr. Vessey corrected her.
“I was just curious to see how many people are seeking employment. Are all of these from today?” She skimmed the names but still didn’t see Sarah’s.
“Yes. As I said, we assist a large number of people.”
She went back another page. “Are these from today as well?”
“That’s the beginning of them,” he said as he pointed to a line drawn across the list. “But you’ll need to add your name to the other page.” His tone suggested he was quickly losing patience with her.
Heart pounding, she searched without success and turned yet another page.
“Here now.” The clerk’s impatience was obvious as he reached to take the ledger from her.
She quickly moved it out of his reach, holding on tight, her eyes skimming the lines. There! Sarah’s name jumped out at her, her neat penmanship recognizable from her letter.
Beatrice’s heart sank. Where was the woman now?
“Did you assist this person?” She held a finger to the entry and pushed the ledger toward the clerk. “Sarah Ramsey.”
“How should I know?” Mr. Vessey blustered. “You can’t expect me to remember. You’ve wasted enough of my time. Do you want to add your name or not? There are people waiting behind you.”
Beatrice glared at him, still holding tight to the book. “Yes, I do expect you to remember. She is a well-spoken young woman of fine looks. Did
