Something Scandalous

“I have lived in London most of my life.”

“Yes, but have you ever really seen the areas I am speaking of?”

“I have been to Covent Gardens.”

“But Whitechapel, St. Giles—have you been there?”

She glanced away from him. “Of course not! It is not right to take them there. The entire area is nothing but crime and poverty.”

“And that is exactly what they need to see,” Will said.

She stepped forward and smiled at him. “Please, rethink this, Will,” she said in a wholly seductive voice. “You would not wish to put your sisters in danger.”

As cute as her overt attempts at flirtation were, he was in no mood for them today. “No, Elizabeth.”

She lifted her hand as if to caress his cheek. He caught her wrist in his grip and she started.

“I said, no,” he said in a quiet tone. Releasing her hand, he stepped back.

Finally, Ellie and Lucy entered the room.

“Will, I really do not think I should go,” Ellie said softly. “I have a touch of a headache—”

“Then the fresh air will do you good,” Will replied.

“The air is far from fresh down there,” Elizabeth added. “It is quite putrid with the coal smoke and fumes.”

“Enough!” Will clenched his fists in frustration. Every one of them was against him.

“I can’t wait to go,” said Lucy in an excited tone. “We might see some pickpockets, or maybe even a murderer!”

“Oh, I think I am going to be sick,” Ellie whispered.

“You are not going to be sick,” Will commanded. “The carriage is waiting. We need to depart.”

Will walked out to the landau first and waited as his sisters clamored into it. Elizabeth took his hand but shook her head as she climbed inside. She would never understand the importance of this trip. His life had been nothing like this in either America or Canada. While his father had been on a diplomatic mission, the salary had barely covered the expenses.

Will had farmed to keep the food coming in, but moving to Canada had reduced his planting season. The winters were far harsher than when they’d lived in Virginia before the war. They had never starved, but he knew what it meant to be hungry.

The coach rumbled down the street toward the east end of London. Familiar sites turned to strange buildings and poorly dressed people. Will glanced out the window, noticing the air turning thicker with smoke as the fumes permeated the coach.

“Will, I really think I am going to be sick,” Ellie tried again.

He knew his sister well enough to know that she was never sick. Still, glancing over at Elizabeth’s ashen face, he had second thoughts about this trip. She stared out the window as they slowly rolled past an elderly woman sitting on the walk. People passed by her without even looking down at the poor soul.

Could Elizabeth think this would happen to her? They never had discussed their argument from last night. She might think he still wanted her to leave. And that was the last thing he wanted. Somerton was right.

Will needed her.

The scenery turned worse as they headed into the area of Whitechapel. As instructed, the groomsman turned down some of the smaller streets, and the poverty was far greater than he had expected. Children no older than his ten-year-old stepbrother Robert roamed the streets in threadbare clothing. Will watched as one child who looked to be about ten picked the pocket of an elderly man.

“Will, what is a pawn shop?” Lucy asked when they paused for a moment in front of one.

Will glanced out quickly and then turned his head back to the window. A woman who looked very much like Elizabeth’s friend, Miss Seaton, walked out of the pawnbroker’s shop with a slight smile upon her face. He slid a glance to Elizabeth, who also stared out the window toward the woman.

“Will?” Lucy prompted again.

“It’s when you give something to the man inside, who will then give you money for it.” Will again stole a look at Elizabeth. Her face was completely white now.