Fair Cyprians of London Boxset by Beverley Oakley

Author:Beverley Oakley [Oakley, Beverley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-26T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Faith, what’s brought yer back ‘ere,” squealed the tweeny, Lizabet, who opened the door to her. At least one person didn’t know, she was glad to note.

“Just here to pick up a few belongings and see a few friends. And Madame Chambon.”

“You really want to see ‘er?” Lizabet grimaced as she led Faith through the gloomy passageway to the salon at the back of the house.

It was early for business, but a handful of the girls lounged about in varying states of dress and undress.

A couple whispered as Faith entered, but Charity straightened with a smile of genuine pleasure as Faith caught her eye.

Faith crossed the room and lowered herself onto the seat beside where Charity was pulling on a stocking seated in the informal sitting room.

“What have the girls been saying about me?” she asked her friend in a whisper. “Tell me the truth.”

Charity shook her head as she glanced about, perhaps to see that Madame was nowhere about. “Oh Faith, it’s a bad business, and I don’t know how much is fiction, but the fact is, the photograph is damning enough. What will you do? Will you come back here to live? I’m sure Madame Chambon would take you in. She’d probably consider the notoriety would make you more valuable. And it would, don’t you think? See, there’s always a silver lining.”

“I hardly call that a silver lining and no, I have no intention of—” She broke off at the honeyed tones of her former mistress.

“Ah, Faith, what a pleasant surprise, though I always knew you’d return.”

Madame Chambon loomed over them, a frightening and imposing figure in a gown of lavender and lace, the russet hairpiece intricately interwoven with coils of fake and real hair, her beady eyes gazing at Faith through wire-rimmed spectacles.

“A short visit only,” Faith said, her throat so dry she felt lightheaded. Her legs felt lacking the substance needed to stand up. And yet she needed to leave this place as fast as she could.

“Oh?” Madame’s look of enquiry was tinged with scepticism. “And where could you possibly be going at this time of night? Oh yes, Lady Vernon’s, am I not correct? She had plans to whisk you away in order to complete the terms of Mrs Gedge’s arrangement with her.”

Madame Chambon straightened, patting her large bosom and emitting a waft of cloying patchouli perfume. “But a great deal has changed in the last couple of hours, Faith.” Her brow creased. “Events have fairly run out of control, and…I think you must come to my office in order for me to acquaint you with everything to do with Mrs Gedge and Lady Vernon, whose authority is superior to mine where you are concerned, my dear. Charity, please excuse us.”

Charity’s concerned look made it plain that she understood the menace behind Madame Chambon’s words.

“And please, Charity, do make a little more effort with your appearance tonight. I know you’re tired, but if you can’t attract the gentlemen like you used to, you will have to find somewhere else to lodge.

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