Page 96 of An Unwilling Earl
Charlotte looked at her friend sadly. Not because she was upset that Suzette wanted to use her, but because Suzette was in that situation in the first place and that the woman felt there was no escape, no hope for a better future.
Jacob left the room, and the two of them sat in awkward silence.
“Go ahead and take another biscuit.”
Suzette shoved a whole biscuit in her mouth and put another in her pocket.
“I’d like to help you, Suzette.” There had to be something she could do, something other than giving Suzette money.
Suzette’s expression softened. “There ain’t nothing for me out here. Not like there was for you. You were different. I always knew that.”
“You don’t know until you try.”
Suzette smiled sadly. “You weren’t ever cut out for the rookery anyway. I knew that soon as I saw you. Knew I had to take you under my wing or you’d be eaten alive.”
Charlotte’s throat tightened with emotion. “I’ll always be grateful to you for that.”
Suzette waved her dirty hand in the air in dismissal. “The theater is working well for me. I have a steady job. Most people can’t say that.”
“What about the gambling?”
Suzette shrugged. “It’s just a spot of fun. Everyone needs a spot of fun now and then.”
“Most people’s spot of fun doesn’t get them beat up.”
Suzette gingerly touched her eye and looked away. “Won’t happen again.”
Charlotte figured that it probably would happen again. “I can’t keep giving you money.”
“I ain’t asking for more money after this.”
“But I can try to help you out of your situation.”
“What situation? It’s my life. It’s who I am. Hell, my mother was born and raised in the rookery and raised me the same. Ain’t nothing to be ashamed of. We’re just different than you, that’s all.”
Just different. But not really. They both had hopes and dreams and fears and all of the emotions that normal people had.
“We’re not so different,” Charlotte said.
Jacob entered and handed Suzette a bag of coins. Charlotte could hear them clinking as Suzette put the bag in her pocket.
“There’s some extra for rent and food,” Jacob said.
“Thank you.” Suzette looked embarrassed for a moment. “I best be going. I won’t be back. I can promise you that.”
“You’re welcome to visit,” Jacob said.
“Nah. I’ll be moving on. Find something better. Maybe I can find some work in those factories in the country. I could use a touch of country air.”
Charlotte hugged Suzette, feeling her fragile bones beneath the thin gown. For a moment Suzette didn’t move, then she hugged Charlotte back tightly.
“Stay safe, Suzette. Be careful out there.” She thought of the dead women and how they had probably been much like Suzette. Working women who didn’t have much to their name. Perfect victims because they were the forgotten ones.
Charlotte watched as Suzette left, her slight form disappearing into the shadows. Jacob put his arm around her, and she leaned into him.
“I feel bad for her,” Charlotte said.
“If we keep giving her money she’ll continue to get into trouble and expect us to bail her out.”
