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December 26, 1894, Nearly midnight
The drizzle turned to rain, and Rose walked westward out of Whitechapel. She understood nothing good would come from remaining there. She journeyed down Bedford road for nearly an hour in the freezing rain. Rose stumbled across a small inn near a central plaza. The woman inside appeared friendly, but Rose didn't realize she had come into a high-end red-light district, she approached the lady at the desk.
"Good evening. I'm here to acquire a room." Rose spoke softly to the lady in front of her.
The innkeeper gave Rose a once-over and realized she was not from the area. The woman smiled gently, "Are you lost, sweetheart? You don't look like you're from around here."
"No, Maam' I'm not from these parts. I'm passing through the region. I was looking for a bath and lodging for the night." Rose smiled back at the proprietor.
"You do know this is a house of ill repute?" The lady giggled at Rose as she said the words.
Rose looked at the woman unfazed and spoke. "I don't care if Satan himself possessed this place; I'm cold, hungry, tired, and want a bath. Now, do you have a room available? Or do I need to take my money elsewhere?"
The clerk quickly answered. "It will be two shillings, including the use for the bath and breakfast tomorrow. You have to check out by ten o'clock in the morning." Rose gave her the coins from the purse. The woman handed her a key and directed her to the corner room on the second floor. Rose had mesmerized the innkeeper with her amber-hued eyes. The lady knew she would be highly desired for her looks and exotic-colored eyes. "Do you need work, deary? I'm sure I can find a gent or two for you. I bet you're a genuine beauty once you get scrubbed up. I could use a girl like you." The lady tried to woo Rose and made her feel very apprehensive.
She looked at the woman and spoke curtly. "No need for that. I will only be here for tonight." She fibbed to the woman. "I have a position in the flower market, and I'm expected first thing in the morning. I just got off to a rough start tonight; I'm new to London, but not life. I think I can get by without the benefit of a man. I'm only here to clean up and rest."
"As you wish, Come on, and I will show you to the room," said the innkeeper, "but remember, if things don't work out, my offer to help still stands." The woman turned and left Rose in the tiny room no bigger than a closet.
Rose went down the hall to the bath, pulled off the soaking-wet dress, and rang out as much water as possible. She examined her aching side, which was healing quickly, likely due to all the blood she had consumed earlier in the evening. Rose washed and then put the wet garments on to return to her room. The space had a small window. There was a mattress on the floor with a thin blanket. Rose listened to the laughter and sounds of sex from the other rooms. She apprehensively undressed and hung up the wet clothing, hoping it would dry overnight. Rose lay on the bed. Her eyes were heavy and began to droop. She soon fell asleep.
***
December 27, 1894, Early morning
Dawn began to show through the tiny window. Rose stirred from sleep. She yawned and stretched her arms over her head. Rose got up to get ready. The dress was still slightly damp when she put it on, and the pain in her side had slightly resided. Rose quickly ate her breakfast and left the small inn, grateful nothing happened overnight. She was tense about the innkeeper's efforts to recruit her.
The rain had stopped, but it was still overcast. Rose wandered about the area and discovered it was a fruit, vegetable, and flower market. She spoke with several of the vendors looking for work. A few shopkeepers gave her leads to others who might be looking for assistance. All the shop owners were very thoughtful, But no one was hiring.
At noon Rose stopped to eat an apple she bought from one of the fruit stands. She sat on a bench, looked across the avenue, and saw a dress shop. Rose noticed how the local women were clothed throughout the day and knew Rose had to do something about her appearance. She finished her apple and headed for the shop.
Rose opened the door, and a chime sounded above her head. "Good afternoon," greeted a beautiful flaxen-haired young woman next to the counter. She scrutinized Rose and thought the woman was in the wrong shop. Her hair was unkempt and not pulled up, and her apparel was dirty and ragged. The dressmaker was sure she could not afford to look at the dresses in the store, much less purchase one.
"How may I help you?" said the young woman harshly.
"I'm here for a new dress," Rose replied with a sweet smile.
"I'm sure you are, but I highly question if you can afford what we offer." Rose couldn't understand why the woman was acting so antagonistic toward her.
"You shouldn't let appearances deceive you," Rose shot back to the lady.
"Listen, trollop, I don't have time to squander on the likes of you. Get out before I have my brother throw you out." The shopkeeper pointed at the door. The woman was now angry at Rose and demanded she leave at once.
"Allison! Why are you being so uncivilized? You are the one who should be ashamed," A gorgeous young blonde man emerged from behind the counter. He had soft, gentle blue eyes, and his voice was sweeter than honey.
"Welcome. I'm sorry I didn't hear your name. Miss?" He sauntered over to Rose and gave the young woman a big smile.
"It's Miss. Rose, Scarlette Rose," she replied with a sparkle in her eyes.
The man who stood before her introduced himself, "I'm Larson Milner, and that rude thing behind us is my sister, Allison." Pointing to woman who had been so harsh. "Miss. Rose, how can we assist you today?" Larson's sister was infuriated with him and stomped out of the room. "Ignore her. I always do." Larson chuckled.
"I would like a new dress."
"I would agree with that. How did you end up in that atrocious dress?" He asked.
Rose had to think up a story fast. It wouldn't go over well telling them she was a vampire that killed three people last night.
"I lost my baggage when I got to London. It was said to have fallen off the coach I was traveling on. I very well can't go around in this rag. NCanI?" Rose picked up the filthy skirts and flounced them. "I need the dress for my new position in the market." She started flirting with Larson, he was charming, and she knew by how he treated her that he liked her.
"How much is a woman's full suit?" Asked Rose, "including the undergarments and shoes."
"Well, there are so many garments to choose from, but I can help. I have a beautiful box pleat dress in a solid dark blue, a pair of button-up shoes, and I'll add the underpinnings. It will cost half a pound. Does that sound fair?" Larson had a giant grin on his face. He hoped that Rose had the money so he could prove his sister wrong about the women who stood before him.
Pondering for a long moment, Rose pulled out the coin pouch she had taken from the dead tubby man in the alley. It was filled with gold and silver coins. She pulled a half-sovereign from the tiny purse and handed it to Larson.
"Perfect! Let's get you outfitted, Miss. Rose." Larson pulled the blue dress off the rack and found the appropriate-sized undergarments and black leather button-up shoes. The shoes came with a hook to pull the buttons through the loops.
"Allison..., Larson shouted. Miss. Rose will need assistance with dressing, please." He called for his haughty sister to come from the storeroom.
The young merchant girl came from the back, and her jaw hit the floor when she saw Larson holding the money in his fingers for her to see. Allison had thought for sure that Rose had little to nothing in the way of money.
Larson cocked his head to the side with a grin and rolled the half soverign through his fingers. "Never judge a book by its cover, dear sister. Please help Miss. Rose. She lost her travel bag and needs the dress to start her new job in the flower market." The blonde man smiled and winked at Rose.
Rose went behind the dressing screen, quickly took her dagger out of her dress, and hid it in the petty coat she removed. Rose didn't want Allison to see it.
After ten minutes of dressing and bustling behind the screen, Rose emerged. She looked stunning. The corseted dress showed off her little hourglass figure. Rose's long chestnut hair fell over her shoulders, and the dark blue of the garment brought out the red highlights in her wavy locks. Her amber-colored eyes were bright, and Larson was smitten by the beauty standing before him.
"Sister, could you please bring a couple of hairpins from the storeroom? We need to help the lady finish up here." Larson Milner could not take his eyes off of Rose.
"Miss. Rose, I know this is a bit bold, but would you have dinner with us tonight?" Larson picked up Rose's hand and lightly pecked a kiss on the back of her hand.