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“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Kelham. I didn’t know you were so shockingly beautiful. Do you often find that a burden?”
    Jessie blinked as she took the other woman’s hand. “I’ve never had anyone say that to me before, Your Grace. Clearly personal experience has taught you that being considered beautiful can be a nuisance. Even dangerous.”
    The duchess’s mouth twisted. “When I was a mere nobody trailing around after my father, who was a perpetual houseguest in the homes of others, I learned early to fight for my virtue.”
    â€œAs did I.” As they exchanged rueful glances, Jessie continued. “I hope we’ll be friends, Your Grace. But you may take an aversion to me in person!”
    â€œI doubt that,” the duchess said with a smile. “And among friends, I’m Mariah. I was not raised with high formality.”
    â€œNor was I,” Jessie confessed. “I’d like it if you’d both call me Jessie.”
    â€œAnd I’m Julia. ‘Lady’ is merely a courtesy title, not like the peerage titles you both have.” Julia also rose and offered her hand. “You make me grateful that my appearance is merely passable!”
    â€œA good deal more than passable, Julia,” Jessie said firmly. It was the truth. As they clasped hands, she saw that while the other woman wasn’t a striking beauty, she had a delicate prettiness and sweet serenity that surely attracted people as strongly as the duchess’s beauty.
    â€œA really good modiste helps greatly, but only my husband considers me beautiful, and that’s the way I like it,” Julia replied. “Now that the introductions are out of the way, we can relax and amuse ourselves till the tea and cakes arrive.”
    As they took seats, Mariah asked, “How was your journey?”
    â€œThe most comfortable I’ve ever taken,” Jessie said fervently. “Thank you so much for sending one of your carriages. Though you may have spoiled me for all lesser forms of transportation!”
    Mariah laughed. “The coachman was delighted to make the journey. He grew up near Canterbury, so he was able to pay a visit to his family before collecting you.”
    The fact that the duchess knew her servants as individuals and was considerate of them was confirmation that she was as kind as she’d seemed in her letters. The same was true of Julia, Jessie realized as they exchanged commonplaces. These were strong, confident, intelligent women who had experienced their share of life, and who were now at the center of London society. Exactly what Jessie needed.
    But first, she must learn what they wanted from her. “Julia, you said in your last letter that you had something to discuss with me?”
    â€œIt is no small thing to ask, but you’ll find the work very rewarding if you’re willing to take it on,” Julia replied. “You first wrote me because of your desire to support the sanctuaries established by the Sisters Foundation, and your interest has continued.”
    â€œIt’s wonderful work you’re doing,” Jessie said warmly. “I’m glad that I can help in some small way.”
    â€œYou should be wary of expressing such a wish in front of Julia or me,” Mariah said with a grin, “because we’ll take you up on it. We want to establish another Zion House in Canterbury. Since you live in that area, you’d be an ideal patroness if you have the time and inclination.”
    Jessie caught her breath. She hadn’t known what to expect, but it wasn’t this. “Why me? Surely there are others better suited.”
    â€œFrom your first letter, it was clear that you have a passionate belief in the work we do,” Julia said. “The Sisters Foundation isn’t merely another charity to you, and we need that kind of commitment.”
    Jessie’s experiences had given her that passion, and she