She had never just had someone start telling her stories besides her brother, though he was no longer interested in being associated with her at the moment. Karen stared out the window for a long moment as he continued to offer help and the like to the weary young woman. “I am headed to Whitby,” only if to get her things and flee the city so as not to have to face the judgment of those who witnessed her with the clockmaker she almost married.

How did one react to an offer to watch her children while she rested? It wasn’t something she took from just anybody. Finally, she just took in a deep breath again and said, “That would be… lovely… thank ye.” She managed a half smile.