Victorian Vigilantes 01 - Saving Grace by Wendy Soliman

greedily.
    “I’ll help you out of your gown, ma’am,” Betsy said. “The bed’s already been warmed through so I’ll leave you to rest after that. Then, later I’ll bring you your tea and I expect you would like a bath.”
    Eva closed her eyes and groaned at the thought of hot water caressing her body. Of washing her greasy hair, drying it in front of the fire and brushing it until some of its former sheen was restored. Whitechapel had left many of its marks on her, she supposed. The fine layer of dirt could be removed from her skin and hair. The internal damage would take longer to eradicate.
    “That would be wonderful, Betsy.”
    Eva allowed herself to be undressed, obediently seating herself so that Betsy could let her hair down and brush it out. If felt so good to cede responsibility for herself to someone else, just for a short time. She closed her eyes as the rhythmic motion of Betsy’s brush agitating her scalp almost lulled her into sleep.
    “You have lovely hair, my lady.”
    “What…oh, thank you.” Eva’s eyes flew open. “It is sorely in need of a wash.”
    “Well, that’s easily arranged.” She put aside the brush. “Right, here we are.”
    Eva hadn’t realised she was down to her shift until Betsy held out a delicate lawn nightgown, encouraging Eva to put it on. It slipped over her head and whispered down the length of her body like a silent promise. Eva shuddered, feeling once again a strong premonition of both danger and excitement. She was about to cross into uncharted territory. She couldn’t say how precisely, or even in what respect. She simply knew it was the case.
    And far from being afraid, the prospect excited her.
    “This isn’t mine,” she said, almost to herself.
    “I hope it’s all right.”
    “Oh, it’s fine.” Eva fingered the long sleeves as Betsy tied it at the neck. “Who does it belong to?”
    “I really couldn’t say,” the maid replied, sounding evasive.
    “About my gown, Betsy.” It was the only one she had and Eva suddenly realised it was hardly fit to be seen, especially since she would be required to dine with two sophisticated gentlemen later that day. Not that it really mattered. She had far more important things to worry about than her appearance, but still… “Perhaps you would do what you can to make it respectable enough for tonight.”
    “Don’t worry about that, my lady. Just leave everything to me.”
    Betsy pulled the covers back, Eva slid between them and sank into the soft mattress with another appreciative groan. Now that she was safe, at least for the moment, she expected to be kept awake by guilty thoughts of Grace. How could she possibly sleep when her daughter was probably pining for want of her?
    She was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
    It was all too good to be true, of course, and no sooner had she fallen into a light doze than someone pulled the curtains aside and woke her again. She was instantly alert and sat bolt upright, taking a moment to recall where she was.
    “What is it? What’s happening?”
    Betsy’s concerned face loomed into view. “Calm yourself, my lady. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    “What time is it? How long have I been asleep?”
    “Above five hours.”
    “Five hours!”
    It couldn’t possibly be true. Eva hadn’t even dreamed. She always had highly colourful dreams that continued to plague her long after she woke, but if she had dreamed this time she couldn’t remember any of them. She glanced out of the window and saw the sun was low in the sky, proving Betsy’s point. She really had slept the day away, and felt rejuvenated as a consequence. Betsy placed a tea tray across her lap and poured for her. There was a plate of delicate sandwiches and fresh cakes, which Eva did justice to as well. When she had drunk two cups of tea and finished most of the food, Betsy removed the tray and asked her if she was ready for her bath.
    “Absolutely. Lead the way.”
    There was a