While Louisa had been gone, Victoria had taken to looking around the parlour, her eyes still wide with enthusiasm. There was something incredibly thrilling in every new moment. Every second that ticked by held promise for even more adventures. She took a deep breath to calm herself, praying silently that her cheeks had not become flushed.

Ever since she had arrived from America, each hour was filled with strange happenstances and exhilarating turns. After living the life of a permanently bored mother and wife, the life of a bachelorette, though a false one, was all that she had imagined.

Still, she smoothed her hands nervously over the fabric of her dress. When the landlady returned, Victoria found herself beaming once more. “My name is Victoria Brohm,” she began, curling her fingers around her reticule in an attempt to keep from using her hands to speak. “I have heard nothing but good things about your establishment, miss, as I mentioned earlier. I would like to rent a room here because I have just arrived from America and am in need of lodging. Amy and myself are quiet individuals; we won’t make much of a ruckus. Indeed, we do not know anyone in London, so there is a good chance that we will obey any curfew that you have enforced!”