“Oh?” I questioned.
She nodded, a grin on her face. “I’ll soon be in your position… married.”
“Oh!” I exclaimed, squeezing her hand. “How wonderful. Have you set a date for when you shall wed? What sort of gentleman is he? Where will you reside?”
Tilly’s smile faltered. After a moment, she forced the smile back on her face. “We… we have not set any date yet.” She paused before continuing. “He… he does not know yet… about the baby. Oh, but as soon as he’s aware, he will offer,” Tilly assured me.
My brow furrowed at her statements. By her size, I judged her to be at least seven months along. “Doesn’t know?” I queried, unable to formulate a full thought.
Tilly shrugged. “I… I was not aware when I saw him last. I suspected but did not want to mislead him. Oh, but once the precious babe is with us, he will be overcome with joy as I am, and we shall form our own little family.”
I smiled, though my heart broke for her. Tilly, always the optimist, assumed the birth of her child would spur a proposal. Perhaps my realism colored my expectations too darkly, but I doubted the events would pan out as Tilly hoped.
“I wish you the best of luck, Tilly. I am certain the birth of your child will bring you much joy.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry you wasted your trip,” Tilly replied, embracing me.
“It was not a waste, Tilly! I have been able to visit with you, which is never a waste. I hope to visit again. If I do not return before your child is born and you are settled, will you leave a forwarding address?”
“Of course, Lenora. How exciting, I expect the next we see each other, we shall both be settled into married life!”
I offered another weak smile. And Tilly continued, “Now, walk me back and tell me all about your new life!”
Before we began our return journey to Tilly’s home, Sir Richard Prescott approached us.
“Duchess Blackmoore?” he inquired, squinting his eyes as though they deceived him.
“Sir Richard, hello,” I answered.
“Whatever are you doing in THIS part of town? And alone no less.” His eyes traveled up and down my form, sending a shiver up my spine.
“She is not alone,” Tilly chimed in. She linked her arm in mine and pulled me closer to her.
“I stand corrected,” Sir Richard said. “Though I do not imagine you plan to accompany Duchess Blackmoore to wherever she is staying, do you?”
Tilly remained silent and Sir Richard continued. “Perhaps, duchess, I could escort you to your next destination.”
“Thank you for the kind offer, Sir Richard,” I began.
“But her business is not yet finished,” Tilly finished for me.
“I could wait,” Sir Richard offered.
“It is not necessary, Sir Richard. I am certain you have pressing matters to attend to, and I have no set time to return. Again, thank you for your kind offer.”
Sir Richard nodded. “Please pass along my regards to your husband.”
“I shall. Good day, Sir Richard.”
Sir Richard tipped his hat to us. “Good day, Duchess Blackmoore.” He glanced to Tilly, repeating his gesture. “Miss.”
He disappeared down the street. Tilly turned me to face her, staring in my eyes, a serious expression on her face. “Lenora,” she said in a low tone, “do not trust that man.”
While I agreed with her sentiment, I was surprised at her comments. “I do not.”
“Good,” she answered. “He is a cruel, heartless man. A terrible man.” I raised my eyebrows at her statement. It confirmed the experience I had with him was not a singular event. She read my expression and continued her explanation. “He is a frequent visitor to our establishment. On occasion, he is rough with the girls. He bruised Minnie terribly and gave her a nasty cut on her head.”
“I have not had a pleasant experience with Sir Richard either,” I admitted, though I did not explain the details. “I would prefer not to be alone with the man.”
Tilly nodded at me. “Now, about that wonderful new life of yours.”
I imparted a few details as we strode down the street, arm-in-arm. Tilly acted genuinely enthusiastic for my change in circumstances. Each statement I imparted stabbed at my heart. I felt as though I bragged even as Tilly suffered. I attempted to keep my statements brief and factual, though when Tilly asked if Duke Blackmoore’s estate was grand, the admittance that my new home was a castle felt awkward.
On that note, we arrived at the brothel’s doorstep. Embracing, we wished each other well, and I watched her climb the steps into the building. She waved and smiled as she entered the building. I did the same as she disappeared through the door. A thought wandered across my mind, depressing and disheartening. I wondered if, or rather worried that, this would be the last time we spoke. I dismissed it, pushing the desolate notion from my mind, and forced myself to walk away.
I glanced back at the building, resisting the urge to return and drag Tilly from inside. Though, despite my intentions being admirable, I overstepped my rights by assuming I knew what was best for Tilly. Instead, I pushed myself to continue across the street, convincing myself with every step that my decision to leave was correct.
Chapter 6
I pushed the peas around on my plate as we dined that evening. “You’ve been quiet, Lenora,” Robert mentioned. “Did your plan not come to fruition?”
“It did not,” I admitted with a sigh. “The girl I considered suitable… was not able to accept.”
“I’m sorry, though the position should not be difficult to fill,” he answered.
“Not at all,” Henry agreed. “I could assist you.”
I smiled at him. “Thank you, though I have another avenue to pursue first.”
“Oh?” Robert inquired.
“Yes,” I informed my companions. “I shall try at the orphanage, my former home. I am well acquainted with many of the girls there. It is a good position. I hope to find someone
