“Possible,” Celia confirmed, “though it is hard to fathom why. One works amongst such poverty and loss every day, and sometimes I fear my heart has become hardened to the daily cruelty of this modern age. And yet . . . what I see before me is evidence of a kind of murder, and the culprit is the cruel indifference of a society that values profit over people. Do you seek to find the true fate of this soul, Charlotte? For I will do all I can to help you.”

“We are glad to be able to count on you, Celia,” Charlotte said, taking her friend’s hand. “You have thrown light onto the darkest corner, and I am sure your expertise will help us.”

“This is a dark world we live in,” Celia said. “It is our duty to burn as brightly and as fiercely as we are able that we may create a constellation of justice and truth to combat every evil.”

“Indeed,” Branwell said with nothing short of a heartfelt sigh. “What a magnificent lady you are, Mrs. Prescott.”

So typical of her brother, Charlotte thought—always so quick to have his head turned. If only he could find a woman to fall in love with who wasn’t married, then how very different things might be.

Then Charlotte considered Constantin Héger, and after a moment directed her thoughts elsewhere.

13

Emily