Page 12 of A Dream of Redemption
Helen looked across the long dormitory at the little girl learning how to make her bed from one of the ladies Mr. Brown had supplied and shook her head. “No. I’m staying. I too wish to talk to the children. It’s what Marisa would do.”
She watched annoyance flash over Mr. Homeward’s features and her shoulders stiffened. Soon she was going to force Mr. Homeward to tell her why he disliked her so, but not until she was less tired. She hated being a slave to her emotions and when she was tired her temper usually flared.
Her parents had given in to their emotions at every opportunity and life for those around them, caught in the cross fire, had been awful. She would not inflict her anger in an atmosphere where children were present.
“I shall have Nancy’s old room cleaned up for you to use.” With that he turned on his heels and left the dormitory.
“Are you sure you will not come home with us?” Mary almost pleaded.
“Marisa entrusted me with this job, and she has been known to spend a few days at the orphanages when needed.”
“She is a married lady; you are not.”
“No one knows I’m here, and I’m unlikely to bump into anyone I know in Southwark.”
Antonia slipped her hand in hers. “I will come back if you need me. You only have to send word. It’s just that it’s Lord and Lady Beauchon’s ball tomorrow—or is it tonight? I’m so tired I can barely think.”
“You go home. I don’t want you to miss the ball.”
Antonia pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Thank you. Don’t wear yourself out trying to impress Marisa. She will be proud of what you have done today.”
“She would be proud of all of us.”
“I shall stay with you as chaperone,” Mary declared.
“I have Mrs. Thorn for that and Antonia needs you to ride with her.”
“It’s not right. Mrs. Thorn has no standing in society’s eyes.”
“Then we shall have to ensure no one learns I stayed here.”
Mary did not look happy but also did not argue. “I shall return after I see Antonia home.”
Helen hugged her. “Thank you.”
Once Mary and Antonia had left she went back to braiding little Daisy’s hair. She’d almost finished when she happened to note an older girl watching her with her lower lip nibbled between her teeth. She’d been doing that since they had finished setting up the new dormitory with clean bedding.
“Who’s the older girl watching us?”
Daisy looked up. “That’s Anne. She’s nice. She shared her bread with me once.”
She finished Daisy’s hair. “Could you ask Mrs. Thorn if I could have another cup of tea?” Once Daisy scurried off Helen beckoned Anne over.
“Come sit. Would you like me to brush your hair?” When Helen had been a very young girl, she’d loved it when her mother used to come to her room and brush her hair.
Anne said nothing but sat at her feet quietly as she began to brush.
“How old are you, Anne?”
“I turned thirteen a month ago,” came the stilted reply.
Mr. Homeward had told her not to ask the children personal questions until they knew her because they likely did not trust any adults, but she couldn’t help but want to learn more.
“How long have you been here?”
“Not long, two months perhaps.”
“Do you have any brothers or sisters here?”
