Chapter 7
The hackney carriage drew to a halt on the far side of Blackfriars Bridge. Caro glanced about as she alighted. She had never been south of the river before. She had been told that the neighborhood she had just entered, Southwark, was home to a prison, two charity hospitals, a number of glue factories, and the biggest potter’s field in London. But the yellow brick terrace house bearing the words Leverian Museum above the portico looked respectable enough.
Inside, Caro purchased tickets for herself and Fanny. “Might I speak to Mr. Parkinson?” she asked.
“Last I saw, he was with another patron, but I will see if he’s available,” the clerk said. “May I inform him who is calling?”
“Lady Caroline Astley.”
The clerk’s eyes went wide at the word lady, and he hurried off. Caro turned
