Free Never Run From Love (Kellington Book Four) by Maureen Driscoll

wouldn’t like to move all the way to America
only to get my scalp taken.”
    “The frontier can be a dangerous place,” admitted
Mel.  “In addition to some hostile tribes, there are dangers presented by
animals and the land itself.”
    “I would like to see a bear,” said Sonia.  “Not too
close, of course.  But it might be interestin’ to see one from a distance.  Can
you see bears in America?”
    “There are bears in some places,” said Mel.
    “Did you ever see one?” asked Sonia.
    “I spent most of my time in Philadelphia, so I’ve
never seen one.”
    “That must have been very disappointing,” said
Sonia.
    “I wouldn’t want to see no bear,” said Angela, as
she finished her scone.  “But I wouldn’t mind seeing one of them savages.  Who
knows, maybe I’d want to see one of them up real close.”
    The girls all laughed, then Anne cleared her
throat.  “I believe Miss Sutton is telling us that starting a new life in
America wouldn’t be easy.  But it’s not like life here is without risk,
either.”
    “There are times I’d rather face a tribe of them
Indians than some of the gents I have to service,” said Lindella.  “And there
are prob’ly plenty of bears that smell better, too.”
    All of the women laughed at that.
    “You shoulda seen the cove who met me backstage at
the interval last night,” said Angela.  “Smelled like that bear.  And wanted me
to suck his cock right there in front of….”
    The other women shushed Angela, who then looked
sheepishly at Mel.  “Sorry, miss.  I keep forgetting you don’t know nothin’
about rot such as that.”
    In spite of her fiery blush, Mel smiled and reached
out to squeeze the girl’s hand.  “Please do not worry.  I’m not as unworldly as
you all think.”  That pronouncement was met by skeptical looks all around.  “I
mean, I do not have experience in the way you think.  But I have spent
considerable time in the streets and am not completely unfamiliar with how
things work.”
    Complete silence greeted her words. 
    “No offense, miss,” said Lindella.  “You may have
visited these streets, but you don’t know ‘em.  Not the way we do.”
    “Of course,” said Mel, embarrassed by her own
insensitivity.  She had no real idea what it was like for these women to eke
out a living.  To survive in a dangerous world.  She’d heard stories.  She’d
even seen dead prostitutes in the street, the victims of violence or the
effects of opium, gin or disease.  But she didn’t truly know what it was like
for them.
    And these women would never fully trust her because
of that.
    The meeting broke up twenty minutes later with
Angela taking a final scone and Lydia telling the girls about a new clothing
shop that allowed one to buy on credit.  Just as in Mayfair, the talk soon
turned to fashion.
    When Mel was alone again with Anne she collected the
tea service to take into the kitchen.
    “You mustn’t do that,” said the housekeeper.  “It
isn’t proper for a lady to do such work.”
    “I like to feel useful,” said Mel, as she carried
the tray to the back of the house despite her friend’s protests.  “And I
certainly didn’t accomplish anything in the meeting.”
    “That’s not true.  You gave the girls hope.  You
showed them there’s a whole other world out there.  They might not be ready to
go right now.  But maybe in two weeks they will.  Or maybe two months.  You
never can tell.”
    Mel watched the young woman prepare the cups for
washing.  “Would you care to go to America, Anne?  I know I have asked before
but thought perhaps now you might have changed your mind.”
    “Thank you for thinking of me.  But my place is
here.  I already look like the Indians got hold of me.  Wouldn’t want to look
any worse than this.”  Anne deflected further conversation by drying her hands
on a towel.  “I hope you don’t mind, miss, but I wanted to air out the bedrooms
whilst it’s still