From Coal to Diamond

Chapter One

Madam Marion settled into her seat by the fireplace, smiling at all the young women in front of her. They always wanted to hear of the romances that happened, the loves that developed right there in the school. Once a week, Madam Marion gave in to their requests.

In their nightwear, the young women watched her expectantly. All the stories she told seemed like magic for these young women. The women that had been left out on the street, that came from families with no wealth, all the young women in the room had been saved in some way by Madam Marion. Whether by simply finding them on the street, or interrupting some beating they had been receiving.

"Let us see. Who have we heard about already? I would not want to repeat any stories." Her eyes turned to the fireplace, thinking of all the women she had given a better life to. All the women that were now happy with their lives and living with husband and family.

"Mrs. Forge visits us often, tell us her story!" One of the newer girls shouted out.

Glancing to her, Madam Marion held a finger to her lips. "We must not raise our voices unless necessary." But there was a twinkle in her eye as she spoke. Her girls were unique in every way possible. "Which Mrs. Forge are you speaking of, Angela?"

All eyes went to her as she tried to think of the name. "Elizabeth, she's so nice and visits so often. And she seems so happy. There must be a wonderful story behind her happiness."

Nodding slowly, Madam Marion adjusted in her chair to be in a more comfortable position. Observing all the wide eyed women sitting on the floor in front of her, she gave a warm smile.

"Now, Elizabeth was very much like all of you. She did not have worth in society's eyes. But we can get into all that in a moment. I suppose what you need now, is her beginning."

"Thank you so much, sir." The strawberry blonde woman backed away from the man, fresh pastry in hand. The gentleman was seemingly unaware of just how light his coin purse had become after his purchase.

Once well out of sight and blended into the crowd, Elizabeth grinned and took a bite of her free breakfast. Pulling her hand out from between the folds in her skirt, she started to count just how much she'd managed to grab off the man. Men are so easy to distract. A woman who needs help, and they're falling over themselves.

The early morning shoppers were already bustling about. Women in groups milling outside of stores, waiting for the larger ones to open. Men walking with purpose to their destination. A few here and there split off down the alleys, attempting to get into who knows what sort of business. The type of business Elizabeth steered away from.

I might be poor, but that doesn't mean anyone's got the right to touch me. Pickpocketing and cons were her preferred choice of activity. It got her what she needed, and she didn't need to feel as if she were selling herself. Times hadn't gotten that tough. As many propositions as there were, she still didn't need it.

She went to work eating her pastry as fast as she could while avoiding being noticed by anyone. There were nice enough people around, but they always seemed to want something for themselves. People were selfish and didn't like the prospect of sharing anything. That thought kept her from feeling guilty about how she managed to survive.

A police officer walked by and gave her a nod. The men knew her, and knew she was no real trouble. They'd take her in if anyone caught her, but they had larger things to worry about. She only took enough to live on, not to make a profit. Occasionally they bought her a cheap dinner or a new blanket. Elizabeth found it quite beneficial to not be a thorn in their side.

"Oi! Lizzie!" A young boy's voice piped up from the crowd, a visible parting of the people on the streets as he went against the walking traffic.

"Watch it, Fred!" Elizabeth yanked him out of the way of the police officer just in the nick of time. "They've got their eye on you. And you know it." She hissed in his ear as she pulled him towards a building.