Alice looked on and listened with horror as her father and then Mr. Meijer joined.

Oh God. Oh no.

Mr. Meijer's accusation made her shrink further. God, she wished everyone would just go away and leave her alone. She wished Miss Pennyfeather would stop ranting. She wished that if she did get off the boat and her husband was so angry he did strike her, there wasn't anyone to watch. She wished that if he merely shouted, or forced her to leave with him, there wasn't anyone to watch. It was easier to feel like an object or stupid animal if there was no one there to be scandalized at it.

The longer she waited, the worse it seemed to get. Jenny and the wetnurse carrying Emma appeared at the docks, looking on as well. There was other way. She'd have to go sooner or later, and at this rate, it was better if that was sooner. She pulled away from Lory and stepped forward towards the exit Miss Pennyfeather was blocking. "I didn't mean to cause all this trouble, Miss. Please, let me go and ye can be at peace."