Heart Strings (Music of the Heart Book 1) Read Free Page B

fingers. “There’s the King’s Theatre, Covent Garden, Drury Lane, Lyceum….”
    Susanna smiled at the sweet maid. What a dear she was for trying to help her! “I can see I should have spoken to you sooner.”
    Martha added, “I still can’t like the idea of you traveling all the way to London alone, miss, but I admire your courage.”
    Courage or desperation? Either way, the more Susanna thought of it, the more determined she was to flee. Fear and excitement and anticipation tugged at her from every side, creating nervous anticipation. She’d never felt so terrified. Or so alive.
    Martha helped her plan her route, told her where to exit the mail coach upon reaching London, and drew her a rough map of various theatres and opera houses.
    “I only wish I could help you with a place to stay,” Martha said. “I have no family and I doubt the missus at my former position would be of a mind to help; she wasn’t exactly charitable by nature. You might try Mrs. Griffin’s boarding house in St. James’s Place. I hear she’s respectable.”
    Susanna smiled. “Mrs. Griffin. I’ll remember.”
    Excited that she had a better idea of what to do now, she and Martha went through Susanna’s clothes, choosing her best ones to sell. Martha suggested Susanna dressed as a poor servant girl to help aid her anonymity, but after viewing Susanna’s clothing, Martha clucked her tongue, shook her head, and declared her clothing shameless for the daughter of a gentleman, but sufficient for her new life.
    Susanna glanced at the clock. “You’d best get back to your duties before you’re missed. If anyone questions you about my disappearance, you don’t know anything about where I went or when I left.”
    “I understand, miss.” Martha nodded eagerly.
    “Thank you.” Impulsively, Susanna hugged Martha.
    Martha hugged her back. “I hope you find what you need.” She backed up, curtsied, and slipped out.
    After Martha left, Susanna spent the remainder of the day scouring her bedchamber for anything which would be of value in a pawn shop, but only came up with her mother’s wedding ring. She put it on her finger and admired it. The gold and sapphire ring glittered, fitting as if it had been made for her. It had been so lovely on her mother’s graceful hand. Susanna hugged it. Could she part with such a cherished possession?
    If it meant her only means of freedom, then yes—not easily, but she could. Mama would understand. Heavy of heart, but resolute, Susanna grabbed her pins and her best clothes, piling everything onto her bed.
    Her parents’ miniature sat on her dressing table, their smiling faces reminding her of a time when she was loved. She used to dream of being as beautiful as her mother—they shared the same abundant dark hair, but Mama’s complexion had possessed an inner glow, and her eyes, the color of forget-me-nots, sparkled with laughter. Susanna was a colorless shadow of her mother. No wonder the only two men who expressed desire for her wanted her for all the wrong reasons. Honestly, it was a wonder they had any interest in her at all.
    Martha returned with a threadbare portmanteau that smelled faintly of mothballs. “I found this up in the attic, miss. And I brought you some more food from the kitchen.” She held out a small cloth bundle. “Cheese and bread and two apples. I took them when the cook wasn’t looking. It won’t last you the entire journey, but it will give you a start.”
    When was the last time someone had shown such kindness? If their situation had been different, she and Martha might have been fast friends. “Martha, what would I do without you?”
    The maid hesitated, her smile turning sad. “I wish I had more to give you.”
    “You’ve done so much already. Thank you.”
    “Good luck, miss.”
    Alone again, Susanna wrapped the miniature in a chemise, she tucked it into the portmanteau. Finally, she packed the letters from her brother, Richard, the only thing she had of him. On