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help with one
other matter. There’s a young ensign, named Rowland, who is mute. I think
conversation—even just listening to someone read aloud from a book—could help
him. Do you think you can help me find someone willing to take that on?”
    Sophie smiled, her dimples deepening. “I know just the perfect
person, Lieutenant.”

Chapter Five
    T hank goodness she had gotten an advance on
her salary. Sophie sat, cradling her teacup in her hands, observing the hustle
and bustle as shoppers filed in and out of Molland’s. She needed a fortifying
meal and a few moments’ peace after her chaotic morning. Even though she feigned
courage for the lieutenant, her emotions were deeply shaken. She picked up her
watercress sandwich with shaking hands and savored one delicious bite.
    Her entire family had been cast into poverty when Papa died.
But Sophie never realized how very dreadful poverty could be. Of course, it
meant making over Mama’s old court dresses rather than enjoying new frocks. And
it meant eating potatoes every day rather than having chicken for dinner. And
yet, even though they left their ancestral home in disgrace and eked out a
meager existence in a cottage, the idea of desperation had never crossed her
mind. Why, she had even rejected Captain John Brookes because she no longer
loved him after the war.
    Love! What nonsense.
    Sophie dropped her sandwich and crossed her arms tightly over
her chest. What a selfish ninny she had been. The only thing that separated her
from the widows she met this morning—women who were facing such straitened
circumstances that prostitution suddenly seemed a viable option—was the fact
that her industrious sister had kept her from feeling desperate. True, they had
discussed taking on jobs in the village. But really, it was Harriet’s own
demeanor—her insistence on writing a book, her persistence in having it
published—that had kept the wolf from the Handley cottage door. And because of
her sister’s cheerful toiling, she never felt as desperate or as poor as the
women she met today.
    She tried another bite of her sandwich, but really, it tasted
like ashes in her mouth.
    The only thing to do is resolve never to be a burden on one’s
family again. After all, she had gainful employment for the foreseeable future.
She would simply have to work hard, save up money and open a dress shop of her
own one day. She would never have to worry about Harriet or poverty again.
    “Penny for your thoughts?” a cheerful voice interrupted.
“Sophie? Are you all right?”
    Sophie gave a shake of her head, ridding herself of her
reverie. “Lucy.” She patted the table and beckoned her friend to sit down.
“Thank goodness you are here.”
    “Did you have a bad morning? How did your visit to the veterans
go?” Lucy sat across from her and placed her reticule on the table. “Tea and
sandwiches, if you please,” she told the waitress with a smile.
    “Oh, the meeting went well.” Sophie took a sip of her tea. “But
really, Lucy. I had no idea how very badly off some of the women are.” She
leaned forward and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Some of them even
consider...selling themselves.”
    Lucy nodded. “Yes, I know. I can’t say I blame them. After all,
a woman must do what she can to survive.”
    Her response was like a slap in the face. Sophie sat back in
her chair, her eyes wide. “Surely you don’t condone it.”
    “No, I wouldn’t say I condone it.” Lucy accepted her tea from
the waitress and nodded her thanks. “I would just say that I can understand it.
You see, Sophie, I am an orphan. I grew up in an orphanage. Fortunately for me,
I have brains and was able to develop them even in that environment. I was able
to become a governess. Some of my friends were not so fortunate.”
    Really, this was astonishing. It was like turning over a
pretty, smooth rock in a field and seeing the worms squirming underneath. “But
really, Lucy. My family lost everything and I never