PTE

k's, had raised it to an outrageous sum. Daphne was both furious and amazed, for the room was scarcely able to accommodate a stoo

st viciously at the ribbons of her bonnet. The same treatment was acc

ers. In places it nearly touched the ale-spotted, pitted plank flooring beneath her feet. Bu

firmly behind her, she stepped out into the damp, misty night. Not a night went by that she didn't dread the long walk home through the crisscross of dark alleyways. Tonight it wa

od above,

leakness chilled her soul. God, but it fe

from discouragement. But something inside would not allow her to resign herself to working as a barmaid forever. Mama had hated th

es. Some way ... It was a vow made long ago

in. Though it had cost her dearly, she had swallowed her pride and pleaded with h

d is made up. Ye'll pay, missy, else

eft her in no doubt.

he wretch had al ways been rude and hateful to her mother. But how ever much she mi

ey could

nly a week ago, she'd been so certain there would be more than enough to cover the rent! She'd even imagined she might be able to buy another gown and maybe a

ad nothing to do with the cool night air.

gs. It was quiet, as quiet as it could be in this part of London. Darkness smothered the rooftops. During the day, horses and carri

e slipped once on the cobbles, slick from an earlier shower. The girth of her belly made her balance tricky, but

in the back room now and then," Bridget had commented earlier th

ght to such activity. While Daphne was aware that Bridget meant well, she could

se she'd made

ddle, her gaze encompassed the next corner. God knew, the str

Though Mama had worked as a seam stress for as long as Daphne could remember,

t forgiving of an unmarried woman with a child at her breas

fingered the cross. Remembrance flooded through her ...As Mama had breathed her last, Daphne had slipped the neckla

ne who had

mory of it still provoked a stab of guilt in her chest. She had no idea of the value o

most treasure

she part wit

ly, no matter if she had to sleep in the rain and the cold-pray God it woul

either side of her, the houses huddled together like shivering children in a biting

Daphne's spine. I don't want to be like her, s

d for a time when she was younger. It was a vile, smelly place filled with scum and decay, and bot

ways a roof above their heads, no matter that

uld not give in. Staunchly she told herself she had h