A Lady of High Regard by Tracie Peterson Read Free Book Online Page B

search, for surely God honored her desire to expose the wrong being done His children. Even Pastor Brunswick had spoken the Sunday before on the need to reach out to one’s neighbors and fellow man. Mia took that to include her trips to help the very poor.
    Mia also felt emboldened by Sarah Hale, who encouraged Mia to continue her research. She had taken all of the information Mia gathered and promised to have it investigated privately. She assured Mia that they would battle the evil that besought these poor souls.
    Slipping out the back French doors, Mia paused and drew a deep breath. She knew her father would never approve of her plans, and that troubled her deeply. In her heart she had only the best intentions and certainly did not desire to hurt her parents. “Please watch over me, Lord. I’m not trying to dishonor my father; I merely want to help the women and children who are suffering. Help me to expose the guilty parties and put an end to this misery.”
    The night air was heavy. Although the sun had long since set, the evening was still very warm and threatened rain again. Mia felt uncomfortable under the weight of her shawl, but knew she had no other choice. The folds of material hid her slender womanly frame.
    She hurried from the safety of her own neighborhood, slinking in and out of the shadows, praying for protection. She knew the walk was dangerous, but there was no hope of a rendezvous in broad daylight. These women were risking their lives by trying to expose the truth. With no laws or public interest, these poor souls were consumed by hopelessness.
    Two more blocks, she told herself in a reassuring manner. It began to sprinkle, but Mia chose to ignore it. Rain was the least of her worries. Hiking her skirts, she lengthened her stride.
    The old Methodist church loomed before her in the darkened shadows of the night. She felt a certain peace in the welcoming sight. Breathing easier, Mia hurried inside and discarded the shawl. She immediately noticed a woman cowering in the front pew, a baby in her arms and three other small children clinging to her skirts.
    “Mrs. Denning?” she asked as she moved to join her. “I am Mia Stanley.”
    The woman looked hesitantly over her shoulder. “Pleased to meet you, miss.”
    Mia looked at the grubby children. One was clearly a little girl. The child’s long dirty hair was matted against her head. Her dress was three sizes too big, but someone had tied a piece of twine around the child’s waist to pull it together. The other two appeared to be boys. They were equally dirty and wore ill-fitting clothing. All of them smelled as if they’d not had a bath in months.
    “I’m so glad you came,” Mia said, taking a seat beside the woman. She ignored the woman’s stench and smiled. “Did you have a difficult time getting here?”
    “No, but I was afeared the landlord would see me going out.”
    “Why should that be a problem?” Mia questioned.
    The woman grew uneasy. “I owe him money. He might think I was trying to leave without payin’ him.”
    Mia nodded. “I understand. Tell me about your situation. Mrs. Smith mentioned that your husband is gone to sea.”
    “Sure he is. He’s gone most of the year. Comes home only long enough to get us deeper in debt and to put another babe in my belly.”
    Mia tried not to react to the woman’s crude talk. Her time with the sailors’ wives had been an education in the cultural differences that separated them. Walnut Street and the waterfront might as well have been a million miles apart from each other.
    “What kind of debt does he accumulate?” Mia asked.
    “Anything he can. He drinks plenty and when he comes home with his pay, he usually stays gone in the tavern for days. I’m lucky those times what he comes home first. Then I get some money for the rent and for food.” The baby began to fuss and the woman quickly opened her blouse and put the baby to her breast.
    Mia was momentarily taken aback. The woman