Panic flared.
Grace's heart thumped hard in her chest. Judging by the man's wary expression, she had made a critical error. The only possible mistake was that Hodges was a woman.
"You must be mistaken." Grace offered her sweetest smile. "I'm sure I said her."
He raised his head in acknowledgement but did not appear entirely appeased. Offering a wide grin to the last customer leaving the shop, he turned and whispered, "Why do you want to see Mrs. Hodges?"
The hint of suspicion in his voice suggested that whatever services Mrs. Hodges provided, she did not run an altogether honest or lawful business. Grace feared opening her mouth as she had no idea how to answer.
"It is of a personal nature," Evelyn interrupted. She stepped closer to the counter. "It
is a delicate situation."
The vague response had the desired effect, and the assistant nodded his head in recognition. "Give me a moment."
He walked over to the opposite side of the shop and muttered to the apothecary who removed his spectacles from the counter and balanced them precariously on the end of his nose. His intense gaze drifted over them from head to toe and after a few moments the gentleman nodded and his assistant scuttled out through a door behind him.
Grace turned to Evelyn. "How did you know what to say?"
Evelyn shrugged. "I thought it covered a multitude of things."
"Well, it seemed to work."
The assistant returned. "Mrs. Hodges will see you now. You remember the way. It's through the door, up the stairs and the last door on the left." He glanced at Evelyn. "You're welcome to accompany your friend if you so wish."
Nerves caused Grace's muscles to stiffen. Acting as an impostor and stepping into the unknown was something she should be used to after the events of the last few days.
Perhaps sensing her unease, the assistant leaned across the counter. "The suppression pills contain only natural ingredients and offer no detriment to the constitution."
Suppression pills?
Grace had never heard of such a thing.
She smiled weakly. "Thank you. And my friend will join me."
The assistant held open the door and bowed graciously before closing it behind them. As they made their way upstairs, Evelyn touched her arm. "What on earth are suppression pills?"
Grace shook her head. "I haven't the faintest idea. Caroline must be suffering from an illness of some sort. Although she seemed perfectly healthy to me. I recall mentioning how her complexion glowed."
"Well," Grace began before offering a deep sigh as they approached the last door on the left. "There is only one way to find out."
Mrs. Hodges was a tall, lithe woman of middling years. She wore her hair tied loosely at her nape and her friendly, carefree manner put them instantly at ease. The furnishings in the small parlour were clean and comfortable; the sweet aromatic smells of numerous oils and herbs drifted up from the shop below to relax the senses. Grace and Evelyn were directed to the sofa while Mrs. Hodges sat in the chair opposite.
"Now. Before we begin, I must ask you how you knew to come here?" Mrs. Hodges said with a warm smile. "It is just a precaution. There's no need to be nervous."
Grace glanced at Evelyn. "We … I was told to come by a friend."
"Has your friend used my services before?"
"I believe so," Grace replied with a nod.
"Good. Then you know there is nothing to fear. You're here for the pills?"
"Yes," Grace replied, although she had no idea what that meant.
Evelyn shuffled forward. "Would you mind explaining a little more about it? My friend is far too nervous to ask."
"Of course." The woman inclined her head respectfully. "The pills work by removing impurities from the system, giving a new lease of energy and vitality. They have been used by women of the gentility and nobility in France for years."