Read Online Jack the Ripper Victims Series: The Double Event by Alan M. Clark - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Alan M. Clark
Ads: Link
paid.”
Elizabeth found Klaudio’s confidence infuriating, yet compelling. Although she hated him, she’d never been more attracted to the man. She wanted to make love to him and then drown him in the Göta river. When Klaudio was good to Elizabeth, buying her new clothing, a meal at a good tavern or merely complimenting her appearance, her heart swelled with warmth for him, and Liza would warn her that his actions were all part of his continued manipulation. When he was the cruel ponce, withholding her pay, striking her in places least likely to cause bruising, or simply berating her for not pleasing a client, her rage boiled up—a reaction she could not show the man—and Bess would calm her with hopes of getting away and going to England to live.
Bess had once quietly hinted that Klaudio might change, take a tender interest in her, and they’d find true love. The suggestion sent Elizabeth into a worse rage, one turned upon herself, with recriminations of hopeless naiveté, of stupidity, and of worthlessness. The bout of anger, like so many others she had while under Klaudio’s thumb, turned to a deep melancholy as she saw no way out of her situation.
I would not be here if I had treated Fru Andersdotter better.
As advised, Elizabeth told the police about her occupation and was registered with them as a prostitute in March of 1865. They kept a watch on her, periodically coming to her room to inspect it and question her.
An older woman, named Ada, lived in the room next-door. She also worked for Klaudio. Ada always looked unhappy. She was dirty and unkempt. The first time they’d spoken to one another, Elizabeth had lied to her. “I’m working for Klaudio only until my family is settled in London, England,” she’d said. “Then they’ll send for me to join them.”
She’d known even as she said it that the lie wasn’t believable. The older woman had covered a smile with her hand, and turned away.
She will think you are too proud, Liza said.
After that, Ada shunned her. That suited Elizabeth perfectly well, since the woman represented a disturbing mirror into which she feared to gaze.
Even so, Elizabeth needed someone with experience to consult. As the months passed, she felt ill with increasing frequency, and suffered a chronic soreness within her abused and swollen vagina. She knocked on Ada’s door, and asked her to suggest a remedy. Ada invited her into the room. The place reeked of stale sex, unwashed linens, and dirty clothes.
Ada took a tin of ointment out of a chest beside her bed, and offered it reluctantly. “Use this for the pain.”
The salve helped a little.
Having missed her monthly flow twice, Elizabeth sought Ada’s advice again.
“There’s nothing wrong with you, foolish girl ,” Ada said, reminding Elizabeth of her mother. “You’re pregnant. Better do something quick before Klaus finds out.”
Elizabeth had suspected as much. Feeling something of Bess, she had a thrill at the thought that a life grew inside her. Then, something of Liza made her see the impossibility of bringing an infant into her world.
Ada wrote out a name and address on a piece of paper and handed it to her. “This is where you should go.”
Afraid for the child and for herself, Elizabeth saved the slip of paper, but allowed time to pass. Despite knowing she would not be welcome on the farm, especially in her condition, she considered running away from Klaudio and returning to her family.
When she’d first taken the room, Elizabeth had written to her mother with her new address, and their correspondence continued. Eight months after taking up prostitution, she was still pretending for her mother that she worked as a domestic servant in the Olovsson household. She didn’t write about her pregnancy.
Apparently, her mother was withholding the truth as well. The woman had been suffering for some time. Elizabeth found out about Beata’s illness from her father, as she sat on the lumpy mattress in her
Elizabeth found Klaudio’s confidence infuriating, yet compelling. Although she hated him, she’d never been more attracted to the man. She wanted to make love to him and then drown him in the Göta river. When Klaudio was good to Elizabeth, buying her new clothing, a meal at a good tavern or merely complimenting her appearance, her heart swelled with warmth for him, and Liza would warn her that his actions were all part of his continued manipulation. When he was the cruel ponce, withholding her pay, striking her in places least likely to cause bruising, or simply berating her for not pleasing a client, her rage boiled up—a reaction she could not show the man—and Bess would calm her with hopes of getting away and going to England to live.
Bess had once quietly hinted that Klaudio might change, take a tender interest in her, and they’d find true love. The suggestion sent Elizabeth into a worse rage, one turned upon herself, with recriminations of hopeless naiveté, of stupidity, and of worthlessness. The bout of anger, like so many others she had while under Klaudio’s thumb, turned to a deep melancholy as she saw no way out of her situation.
I would not be here if I had treated Fru Andersdotter better.
As advised, Elizabeth told the police about her occupation and was registered with them as a prostitute in March of 1865. They kept a watch on her, periodically coming to her room to inspect it and question her.
An older woman, named Ada, lived in the room next-door. She also worked for Klaudio. Ada always looked unhappy. She was dirty and unkempt. The first time they’d spoken to one another, Elizabeth had lied to her. “I’m working for Klaudio only until my family is settled in London, England,” she’d said. “Then they’ll send for me to join them.”
She’d known even as she said it that the lie wasn’t believable. The older woman had covered a smile with her hand, and turned away.
She will think you are too proud, Liza said.
After that, Ada shunned her. That suited Elizabeth perfectly well, since the woman represented a disturbing mirror into which she feared to gaze.
Even so, Elizabeth needed someone with experience to consult. As the months passed, she felt ill with increasing frequency, and suffered a chronic soreness within her abused and swollen vagina. She knocked on Ada’s door, and asked her to suggest a remedy. Ada invited her into the room. The place reeked of stale sex, unwashed linens, and dirty clothes.
Ada took a tin of ointment out of a chest beside her bed, and offered it reluctantly. “Use this for the pain.”
The salve helped a little.
Having missed her monthly flow twice, Elizabeth sought Ada’s advice again.
“There’s nothing wrong with you, foolish girl ,” Ada said, reminding Elizabeth of her mother. “You’re pregnant. Better do something quick before Klaus finds out.”
Elizabeth had suspected as much. Feeling something of Bess, she had a thrill at the thought that a life grew inside her. Then, something of Liza made her see the impossibility of bringing an infant into her world.
Ada wrote out a name and address on a piece of paper and handed it to her. “This is where you should go.”
Afraid for the child and for herself, Elizabeth saved the slip of paper, but allowed time to pass. Despite knowing she would not be welcome on the farm, especially in her condition, she considered running away from Klaudio and returning to her family.
When she’d first taken the room, Elizabeth had written to her mother with her new address, and their correspondence continued. Eight months after taking up prostitution, she was still pretending for her mother that she worked as a domestic servant in the Olovsson household. She didn’t write about her pregnancy.
Apparently, her mother was withholding the truth as well. The woman had been suffering for some time. Elizabeth found out about Beata’s illness from her father, as she sat on the lumpy mattress in her
Similar Books
