“An unfortunate choice of words by Miss Teresa. She should know better because she was one of my so-called ‘strays’ herself. I will speak to her about it. But I know she did not mean it the way you took it. It is true that in the past I have taken young women, just like you, under my protection until they were strong enough to go back out into the world. It’s part of my philosophy that women should help one another, that’s all. I brought you here because we had no way of finding your family and you would have been all alone.” She paused and smiled at me. “And something about you reminded me of myself at the same age.” She straightened up, all business again. “When your memory returns, we shall sit down and decide what is best for you.” She reached over and stroked my hair.

“I’m so sorry you misunderstood my motives,” she said, her voice gentle. “I hope you will give me a chance to prove to you that I care about your welfare.”

What was I to say to that? I still wasn’t sure I believed her. Words were cheap. I realized, though, that I had few choices but to stay. I nodded my head and pulled away from her.

“Good,” she said. “Now, let’s go in for dinner.”

The stubborn child still ruled me. “I’m not hungry,” I said, although I was famished. “I’ll be away upstairs to bed.”

She nodded. “As you wish, dear. A long sleep will do you good. Good night.”

She moved on down the hall, and I stood at the foot of the stairs, watching her. Should I believe her? I wanted to, but I still had my doubts. If only my memory would come back to me, I could be free of all this nonsense. In the meantime, I had no choice but to wait.

* * *

“I swear to God that one doesn’t know her arse from her elbow. The way she slurps down her tea and licks her knife are disgusting. I can’t imagine the circumstances she was brought up in, but it wasn’t a palace, I can tell ye that!”

I was passing by the kitchen when I heard Teresa’s voice. She was talking to Beatrice, who seemed to be paying her no heed. Teresa’s attitude toward me had worsened ever since she called me a stray. Now she was like a diviI. I didn’t know if it was because Mrs. Shaw had chastised her for what she’d said, or because I’d found out she’d been a “stray” herself, but something had happened for her to make her dislike me even more than before.

“And have ye heard the mouth on her? The vulgar language she comes out with. She belongs with the sailors beyond on the docks.”