The air smelled of ale, sweat and vomit. Her face was flushed from the heat of the bodies packed into the tavern.

"Bring the lass over here, Fanny!"

The slurred words had her pushing herself further into the corner she considered hers. How many months had she been there? She heard mention it was Christmas this day, that had to mean it had been over two years.

"Leave her alone, David."

A foot kicked at her leg and she pulled her knees as close to her chest as possible. Her arms were shaking and fear was making her stomach turn.

The boot kicked at her again, this time at her feet. It didn't hurt so much, but she whimpered and reached into her skirts for the knife she had managed to steal form the kitchen. She made sure no one could see her weapon. Fanny was in the room and she would beat her if she saw Violet pulling a knife on her customers again.

The beating would be better than being pawed by whoever it was kicking at her, but it might not be better than starving if Fanny decided not to feed her again. 

"Pretty little girl aren't you?" The scent of whisky and vegetable pie came from right beside her ear and bile rose to her throat. Her fingers curled around the hilt of the knife...

Violet woke up, panting. Her hands reached up, touching her eyes, willing them not to cry. She may shake, but she would not cry, she had promised herself that long ago.

Her arms slipped around her thin chemise and she swayed, rocking herself as Cook used to do when she was a child. The memory of the old woman soothed her and made the shaking subside.

The nightmares had been her companion for many years now, but since her arrival in London they had become more frequent. Perhaps it was because she was close to finding the man responsible for it all.

Ismail.

The thought of his name brought her to her feet. In moments, she had dressed in a simple long skirt and shirt. No more fooling about. The night at the theatre had knocked some sense into her. She had almost given into Patrick, had almost let him sweep her off her feet and drag her away from her goals. But she was back on track now. It had been five days since that night and she had finally found a reputable detective who had agreed to take her case .

Stepping out of the caravan Violet breathed in the cold early morning air. It was getting colder by the day and soon it would snow on the city, she could smell it in the air.

Walking past the line of caravans and the lion cages, Violet walked to the small tent that was Graham's office.

"Graham?" She called out, knowing the old man would be awake. He and his wife woke early and while he checked the books from the tickets sales she would check the rations for the circus folk and animals.

"Come in."

Violet stepped in the tent. The scent of Carlo the juggler lingered. She briefly wondered what he might have wanted so early in the morning as she moved forward.

"I need my wages Graham."

"Alright." Violet heard him shuffling papers on his desk and then opening a drawer. "How much do you want?"

"All of it."

There was a moment of silence, before she heard one drawer shut and another open.

"Are you leaving us?" Graham asked as he handed her a wad of bills. She could not see what he had given her, but she knew the old man to be fair. In either case, she would find out soon enough if he had been honest.

"Not yet, no," Violet smiled as she put the money in the little drawstring bag she had brought with her, "But there is something I need to do. I will be back in time for the show." She turned on her heal and was nearly out of the tent when Graham called out.

"We will do only one early show tonight Violet, we all need a break."

Nodding Violet continued on her way.

Mr. Werrington would be waiting for her at the corner of Green park.  In order to start looking for Ismail, he had asked for half of his pay up front. 

Stopping at Sarah's caravan, she borrowed a cloak and continued to walk. It would take close to an hour to get to the park on foot,  but there were no hacks around the Circus at this hour and even if there were, she could not afford to spend any of her money on the ride. She had just enough to cover Mr. Werrington's fee.

Fifteen minutes down the dirt road, she heard a carriage approaching and moved to the side of the road. The scent of horses filled her nostrils as the vehicle came to a stop.

"Violet?"

Violet was stunned to hear Angelica's voice. What on earth was the Princess doing here and at this hour? 

"Princess?"

The carriage door opened and smell of rose petals carried on the wind.

"I've told you not to call me that! Now where on earth are you walking in this cold?"

Violet couldn't help smiling at the motherly reprimand. Angelica had a kind soul, forever worrying about the people she cared for.

"I have... a meeting," Violet said, "What are you doing here?"

"Why, I've come to see my friend!" Angelica was by her side now and embraced her in a warm hug, "I figured if I came early enough, I would surely catch you. You've been hiding Violet! I've sent countless invitations and I'm just not putting up with the 'I'm too busy' excuse anymore. Now come inside, you are freezing!"

"Angelica," Violet protested, but the woman was already ushering into the warm interior of her carriage.

"Yes, yes, I know you have a meeting. I'll take you there myself, but then you are coming with me. We have a fitting to do don't you know?"

"A fitting?" Violet was not sure she wanted to know what the Princess was about to drag her into, but she asked nevertheless, "What for?"

"It is a ball, held in honour of a good friend's birthday. I told him all about you and I will not break his heart by showing up this evening without you in tow."

"Angelica, I have a show..." Violet began, but her friend cut her off.

"Look, you have avoided me for long enough. As crowded as London is, there are few people that I like as much as I like you and I simply refuse to be deprived of your company like this."

Laughing, Violet gave in. She would get her meeting done and go to this ball to please Angelica. It would take several days for Mr. Werrington to come up with news either way.

"Alright Princess, your wish is all our commands, but I do need to go to this meeting and I have an early show this evening."

"Perfect," Angelica agreed smoothly, "I'll take you to your meeting, next we can do the fitting, then I'll bring you back for your show and pick you up for the ball. Now, where is this meeting?"

"The corner of Green Park," Violet said.

"Green Park it is." While Angelica gave her driver the directions, Violet wondered about this ball. Who was Angelica's friend and more importantly would Patrick be there? While part of her yearned to see him, she he hoped he would stay far away. 

As the carriage moved, Violet leaned back, "So who is this special friend of yours?"

"Oh, he is absolutely darling. You will love him Violet, just wait and see."

Nodding, Violet let her mind wander. Would she love him as much as she loved Patrick's hands on her...his kisses? Shaking her head, she grasped for a topic of conversation.

"So when is your Prince returning from his travels?"

Angelica sighed loud and long, "My Alexander. I wish I knew. I just hope it will be soon, I do miss him so much."

Violet wondered how it would be to have the kind of relationship Angelica and Alexander obviously had as her friend continued to speak about her husband. If things had been different, maybe she would have found a man to be happy with...

If things had been different.