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A rickety washstand with a corroded mirror, a basin and pitcher, a small towel, and a covered chamber pot on the bottom shelf stood in one corner. The other corner served as a makeshift wardrobe with several wooden pegs extending from the wall.
She’d been tempted to give a different name when the proprietress asked for hers, but that would make Gibney suspicious. In truth, Chasity was surprised the groom hadn’t made the connection between her hasty departure from Balderbrook’s Institution for Genteel Ladies the unexpected summons for a magistrate.
As kind as Gibney was, he wasn’t altogether quick-witted. Mrs. Pottkotter said he’d received a head injury during the war, and the blow had left him a bit daft. Gentle and hard-working but not too terribly bright—that was Gibney.
If Mrs. Crenshaw and the others were set on arresting Chasity, she had no doubt Gibney would be interrogated. He’d have no choice but to reveal where he’d left her. This was but a reprieve.
She bit the inside of her cheek.
Mayhap she should spend the majority of her funds and, under an assumed name, buy fare on a mail coach.
To where?
How would she survive once she arrived at this unknown destination?
“Rent is due every Saturday.”
The proprietress’s no-nonsense tone brought Chasity back to the present. She’d have to logically explore her options tonight and make a decision. Morning was soon enough to put whatever plan she settled on into action. At least she hoped she had until morning and no lawman would come banging upon the door in the dead of night.
“All meals are taken in the dining room—no exceptions. There’s a bathing room down the hall. Forth door on the right. Baths are a guinea and need to be scheduled in advance to make sure there’s hot water enough.”
At least there was that. Chasity had worried the washstand was her only option for bathing. But did she dare spare a guinea once a week to wash her hair?
Would she be here a week?
Never before had Chasity been so conflicted and confused. So unsure of herself and what her future held. What path to set her feet upon. Did she stay and risk arrest? No court would take her word over Lady Balderbrook’s, of that, she was positive.
Despair washed over her in unrelenting waves.
Unfair, her soul cried.
The landlady eyed Chasity up and down. “I run a respectable establishment, Miss Noble. No men callers in your chamber. Ever. Or you’ll be out in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
“Of course,” Chasity said, glancing around. “I don’t know any men.”
Save for Aston.
The furnishings were worn and dated, but the place was well-scrubbed, and there wasn’t any sign of vermin. Not even a cobweb in a forgotten corner collecting dust.
In addition to a narrow bed with a nightstand on one side and a bureau on the other, a small settee had been situated at the end of the bed. It faced an unlit hearth, bracketed by a mantle with two shelves made of indeterminable wood.
The scarred wooden floor was bare, but a pair of what might’ve once been green curtains covered the two windows. Though it could never be called cozy, all in all, it wasn’t a horrible place.
“Thank you for letting me a room.” Chasity untied and removed her bonnet. “I’m very grateful.”
“Hmph. See that you don’t make me regret it.” The landlady planted her hands on her wide hips and nodded in satisfaction. “Dinner is at seven. I’ll send up Tildy with hot water so you can freshen up and a pot of tea too. You look like you could use a strong cup.”
“I’d appreciate both very much.”
Offering a genuine smile of gratitude, Chasity set her bonnet upon the bed. A bit of her apprehension dissolved. For all of her gruff appearance, the proprietress wasn’t a curmudgeon after all.
“Well, don’t you get used to it. My two maids of all work have enough to do. Water for washing and tea is kept hot in the kitchen for you to fetch yourself.” With that, she marched away, her substantial girth causing her to waddle and the floor to creak.
Chasity closed the door behind her, then leaned her forehead against the wooden panel and closed her eyes.
This was real.
She’d been dismissed.
