Never Run From Love (Kellington Book Four) by Maureen Driscoll Page B

that didn’t make it to her eyes.  But
then, hers rarely did.  “I do not believe I have met your friend.”
    Against his better judgment, Hal introduced the two
women.  He bit back a smile when the forthright Miss Sutton moved to shake
hands with Madame Thurmond.  The madame hesitated for moment, then with a
bemused smile shook hands.
    “To repeat my question from a moment ago,” she
continued.  “Why are you and your friend here, Lord Henry, if not to take Terry
up on her offer?”
    “It was my idea to come,” said Melanie before Hal
could answer.   “I wanted to talk to your employees about an opportunity to go
to Philadelphia, to start a new life in America.”
    “I have found,” said Madame Thurmond, “that a new
life often presents the same old problems, just in a different location.”
    “But sometimes, that new location presents
opportunities one might not find elsewhere.  I obviously do not wish to coerce
anyone into leaving, Madame Thurmond.  I just want to let the women know they
have a choice.  As you so astutely pointed out, a change in geography doesn’t
eliminate all problems.  But sometimes the change in scenery is the starting
point to great change in a person’s life.”
    Madame Thurmond considered Melanie’s words.  Then
she turned to her employees.  Several girls had come out of the house to see
what was going on.  There was quite an audience for them both right now.  “Miss
Sutton is offering you a new life,” she said, as she slowly walked around the
yard, looking her girls in the eyes.  “If anyone wishes to take her up on the
offer, go with her now.  Nothing is keeping you here.  If you want to take your
chances on the American frontier, go with the lady.”
    There was complete silence after she spoke, then one
by one the girls began filing back into the house.
    Madame Thurmond turned to Melanie.  “It seems they
would rather stay with the familiar than venture into the great unknown.  But
thank you for thinking of their well-being, Miss Sutton.  Our evening is about
to begin, so I must go back to work.  I trust you have other souls to save, so
I will not keep you.  Unless you and Lord Henry have reconsidered and would
like to have an evening at my house tonight.  I shall even make it gratis to prove I have no hard feelings.”
    For a moment, Hal thought Melanie wouldn’t understand
they were being warned off.  But she looked Madame Thurmond in the eyes and
replied.  “Thank you for your offer, but I believe I have finished with my
business here – tonight.”
    Madame Thurmond nodded briefly then turned and
re-entered the brothel, with her bodyguards in tow.
    When it appeared that Melanie wasn’t going to move
from the spot, Hal put her arm through his and gently pulled her down the
alley.  “I believe it is time we joined Mrs. Seton.  I did tell her you
wouldn’t be late.”
    “I was waiting to see if any of the girls would
sneak back out,” she said, as she tried to look behind them. 
    “They won’t,” said Hal.  “Madame Thurmond warned off
both you and her girls.”
    “She did no such thing to me.  I could tell a few of
those girls were curious.  It may take them a while to consider my
proposition.  I mean, it takes a great deal of courage to completely uproot
yourself from familiar surroundings.  But one of them may well decide to join
me.  And I shall be here when she does.  Make no mistake – I am coming back.”
    Without thought Hal turned her toward him, lightly
but firmly gripping her elbows.  “It would be the height of lunacy to come back
here.  Did you happen to see the size of the men with our good madame?  I’ve
seen them fight men three times your size and win.  Do you have any idea how
much they could hurt you?  And I don’t mean from only a beating.  This is a
dangerous part of town for a woman.  Anything could happen to you and Aurelia
Thurmond would set it all in motion without a second thought.”
    She