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volunteered. "I shall send it to the vicar and he can let your mother know that you are well."
    "Could you, my lady?" Bessie's face lit up with a sudden smile. "It's knowing that they're worried—or at least my 37
    My Wayward Lady
    by Evelyn Richardson
    mother is—that is the hardest to bear. I could rest easy if I knew they were assured that I was safe."
    "But what will become of you?" Harriet wondered aloud.
    "Surely you cannot continue on like this."
    "It is not so bad, my lady. In many ways I am freer here than I would be if I were a maid in a respectable establishment. I have a room to myself and I have become friends with some of the girls here. Of course Mrs. Lovington does try to find us other employment because she has only so much room and she is always trying to save others like me, but it is not easy discovering people who will take us. When you saw me the other night I was out looking for any poor girl who needed help. One of our girls had met a very kind gentleman who set her up as mistress of her own establishment in Marylebone so we had space for someone new and it was my turn to go look for someone." Harriet was thoughtful for a long time. "This Mrs. Lovington appears to be a singularly kind individual. I would not have expected that in such a person."
    "Oh, she is indeed a most wonderful person." Bessie was quick to rush to her benefactress's defense. She was a respectable housekeeper herself until her master forced himself on her. The mistress found out about it and she was let go without a reference. She started the Temple of Venus to help people like herself and here we are." Harriet had listened to this tale attentively, but with a fair amount of healthy skepticism. There was a good deal missing and she was not so convinced as Bessie was of the purity of the proprietress's motives. Harriet was not about to leave 38
    My Wayward Lady
    by Evelyn Richardson
    until she had assured herself to her own satisfaction of Bessie's continuing welfare. However, it would not do to let on to Bessie that she harbored any reservations about the entire arrangement. "It is a most fascinating story. I find I should like to know more of Mrs. Lovington. Perhaps she could favor me with a little more of her time."
    Bessie jumped up. "I am sure she could. I shall fetch her and you will see for yourself." She hurried from the room leaving Harriet and Rose to their own devices.
    "I don't like it, my lady," Rose began as soon as the door had shut behind the girl. "It is not a place for a respectable young lady."
    "But that is just the point, Rose," Harriet responded reasonably. "In the world's eyes Bessie was no longer a respectable young lady when she came here."
    "And you won't be either, if you continue to stay here," was the grim rejoinder. Rose opened her mouth to say more, but was cut off by the sound of someone at the door.
    "Bessie informs me that you wish to speak with me further."
    "Yes." Harriet straightened and composed her ordinarily sunny features into what she hoped was an impressively severe expression. "I am concerned for Bessie. This is no life for a young girl from the country. It may do very well for the others you have saved, but Bessie is not that sort of girl. She is different."
    "My dear young lady, we were none of us that sort of girl. We are all different, but circumstances have forced us into a 39
    My Wayward Lady
    by Evelyn Richardson
    common situation." Mrs. Lovington did not bother to hide the irony in her voice.
    "But she cannot remain here. She has the rest of her life to consider." Harriet came to a sudden decision. "I shall take her back with me. She does not need references to do that. I shall make her my—" Harriet caught sight of the horrified expression on Rose's face and hastily amended her plan. "I believe I can find a place for her as an upstairs maid at Fareham Park."
    "And force her to return to the scene of her disgrace?" the Temple of Venus owner inquired scornfully. "She would never