Into the Hall of Vice by Anabelle Bryant

Author:Anabelle Bryant
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2017-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

The carriage rushed through the West End, past St James’s and Bond Street, where Gemma knew the Underworld lay tucked away in secret. Conversation was sparse and she preferred it that way, unable to decide if Nan’s loyalties would lie with her or Kent, the consideration unsettling, and therefore holding Gemma mute. At last they arrived at Vivienne’s home in Manchester Square. Nan was suitably impressed and Gemma agreed. No one would question Maxwell’s status, yet he was proprietor of a gaming hell alongside Cole and Mr Reese. Society was a fickle opponent. Gemma and her maid climbed the white stone steps and were settled in the drawing room with Vivienne and Sophie soon after.

‘I was relieved to receive your message. You seemed out of sorts at the musicale and while I know the Chutterly offspring have a gift for instigating megrims and inspiring vapours, you possessed more the expression of the cat who swallowed the canary.’ Sophie dared a little smile over her teacup, ever the one who stirred the pot.

‘Any news on your brother?’ Gemma refused to reveal one word of what had transpired, and besides, there was an invigorating thrill in keeping those stolen moments to herself.

Vivienne’s expression changed with the question. ‘I do hope he returns soon. It weighs heavily on my mind.’

‘I’m sure, but these things take time. Please do not bear any responsibility, Vivienne. You did your best to resolve the situation. Crispin is a man grown. He’s made his decision and now we can only hope he will come to his senses.’ Sophie placed her teacup in the saucer with care. ‘How have you been feeling? Your dizzy spell in Hyde Park has me worried for your health.’

‘It’s rather odd actually. Some days I feel perfectly normal and others I awake with a horribly unsettled stomach. It’s becoming difficult to hide it from Maxwell. I’m relieved he’s keeping long hours at the Underworld since Mr Hewitt and Mr Reese are away on travel.’ She sipped her tea and then, seemingly in regret of the decision, placed it on the table. ‘Feeling ill has interrupted my charity work with the Salvation Saviours. I returned from my wedding trip to discover an abundance of obligations and opportunities, but have hardly accomplished the first task on my list. Today I aimed to visit an establishment in Charing Cross. The woman in charge, Miss Devonshire, provides shelter and relief to a great number of destitute.’

Gemma almost dropped her cup but managed to resettle it in the saucer with the barest amount of spillage. ‘Miss Devonshire? You know this woman?’

‘I’ve heard much of her tireless work to assist the indigent. She manages a lodging house open to all who have found a difficult way. The house assists the homeless as well as orphans, unwed mothers or women with no protector and nowhere to go.’

Nan cleared her throat across the room and drew the ladies’ attention. While distance prevented the maid from hearing the discussion fully, Gemma was certain Nan disapproved of the topic of conversation.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.