Her upset must have been apparent, because Tavistoke took over. “Madame Trouvère is not like the other woman.”
Composing herself, Jacqueline took the girl’s icy hands in her own. “No one here is going to make you do anything you don’t wish to do, and you need not fear mistreatment. Will you give me a chance?”
“’ow do I know it ain’t all some trick?” The girl shifted from foot to foot, clearly wanting to believe her but too suspicious to do so.
“Because I know something of what you’ve suffered.” Jacqueline pushed up one sleeve, exposing a scarred wrist and holding it out for their perusal. Both girls’ eyes widened at the sight of her pale, puckered flesh. “Like you, I was once forced to do things I did not want to do.” She took a deep breath to steady herself. “But this gentleman”—she nodded at Tavistoke—“rescued me from that place. He’s the reason I’m alive and the reason this school exists. I invite you to stay here with me and let me help you make a new life for yourselves.”
Tavistoke again addressed the girls. “You’ll both be safe here, I give you my word.”
The girls’ eyes searched Jacqueline’s soul, stripping it bare.
These children desperately need someone to trust. “Will you let me help you?” she asked again. Breath returned as the older girl, at last, nodded. “Good.” She smiled. “What are your names?”
“Me name’s Fanny. Fanny Thatcher.” She drew her sister out from behind her. “An’ this is Abigail.”
“You talk strange,” the little one blurted.
“That is because I was born in France,” Jacqueline answered. “How old are you?”
Again, the older one—Fanny—took over. “I’ll be fourteen come spring. Abi don’t look it, but she’ll be ten at Michaelmas.”
Anger burned through Jacqueline. So young! “You may call me Headmistress.” Rising, she looked to Tavistoke, in whose eyes raged the same wrathful fire she now banked within herself. “I will see to their care and send word when they have settled in.”
“I look forward to hearing of their progress.” Turning, he bowed to the two girls, whose eyes again went wide. “Miss Fanny, Miss Abigail, I bid you fa
rewell.”
Jacqueline knew this was likely the last time they would ever see him. Tavistoke didn’t come here often. When he did, it was in secret. She curtsied and watched with satisfaction as both girls attempted to imitate her. They will be good pupils. “May I speak with you privately for a moment before you leave?”
He nodded, and together they stepped out into the hall.
Closing the door, she braced herself and asked the question she couldn’t ask in front of the girls. “I need to know the extent of the damage.”
A muscle leaped in his jaw. “You heard the older one. The little one is frightened, but unharmed. We got her out before the buyer’s arrival.”
It was better than she’d expected. “And did you catch the…” She swallowed past the knot in her throat and began again. “Did you catch him?”
“The buyer, yes. The seller, unfortunately, is nowhere to be found.”
Katie arrived with the tea cart, and Jacqueline sent her in with instructions to feed the new students. Again, she addressed Tavistoke. “The one you caught is bound for Tyburn, I hope?”
A grim smile creased his lips. “No need. The fellow met with an unfortunate accident—trampled by a horse when he bolted into the street in front of an oncoming carriage.”
“I wish you could have caught the seller, too. Fanny said it was a woman.” Her gut knotted again. “Do you think it could be Boucher?”
“I don’t know anything for certain, but I believe so. We’ll keep looking.” His lips thinned. “They are trying to keep it quiet, but you need to know there have been nearly a score of deaths in Covent Garden within the last two days, all from the same establishment these girls fled.”
Jacqueline felt the blood leave her face.
“The girls don’t know,” he went on. “I did not have the heart to tell them everyone they knew had been murdered. I warned them to keep quiet regarding where they came from, but—”
“Children often forget, yes. I shall speak with them both and stress the importance of discretion.”
He nodded. “As for their demeanor, I can say with confidence the younger one is unlikely to give you trouble, but the elder—”
“Is nothing I cannot manage,” she said briskly. “Now that I know what I’m dealing with, it will be easier. She will do fine once she settles in and sees how good it is here.”
“I’m sure she will. Have you found a replacement for Mrs. Farrow?”