Chapter Six
November 9th, 1808
Basingstoke, Hampshire
Letty woke at dawn. She rang for hot water. The landlord’s daughter, Sally, a cheerful, round-faced girl, laced her into her stays.
“Do you know if Mr. Reid—if my husband is awake?”
“He were up before anyone this mornin’. In the parlor, he is, readin’.”
Letty stood still while the girl fastened the buttons at the back of her gown. “Did you hear any odd noises in the night?”
“Noises? What sort of noises, ma’am?”
Letty frowned at herself in the mirror, trying to find words to describe the noise that had woken her. A cry? A scream? “I thought I heard someone shout.”
“Shout? It’d’ve been someone on the street, ma’am. Jug-bitten.” The girl fastened the topmost button. “And your hair? How would you like it dressed?”
“A knot, thank y
