Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mid 1850s, somewhere near Glasgow

“Look, my son. Just through the window there. Do you see it?” A young mother, with dark silky hair and shining eyes, pointed out the window towards a bright, moonlit sky.

“Moon! I’m so happy to see you! I love it when you come to visit! Please sing me the song, mum!” The young mother started to sing, with a small boy’s voice chiming in.

By the light of a full moon,
I know I will see you soon
All the ones we love so dear,
Gone from sight but always near
I’m so glad you came to see
I know your love will cover me.

The dark-headed boy looked to his mother and asked, “Do you think Da heard us? I miss him so much!”

“He did hear us, Billy. As did your brother, and our other family members. Now lay back and I will tell you the story. Me da always told me that the sidhe faeries would appear by the light of a full moon to guide our lost family back to visit their loved ones while they slept. You dinnae have nothing to be afraid of, son. Just your da and brother and me own parents coming to see how we are. You must get some sleep now or they won’t get to visit.”

As the threadbare blanket was tucked around him, Billy’s eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep, content in the thought that his brother and his da would come to visit him. He did not see his mother, heart heavy with worry, silently crying in the corner, wishing for someone to come visit and let her know what she needed to do next. She did not know how she would be able to look after her only remaining child, now that her scoundrel of a husband had run off with the vicar’s daughter and left her alone to find her way in the world.

About 7 years later

“Why are we here, Mother? I don’t understand.” William asked his mom as they went through the gates of the Rickman Workhouse.

“I couldn’t pay the rent for our house anymore and we had to leave. This is the only place that will give us a safe place to sleep and food for us to eat.” The dark-haired mother answered her son as they stopped to look upon the place that was to be their new home for the unforeseeable future. “It is the way of the world, Billy. I’m sorry we had to come here, but I need to know that you are out of the cold and will have food for your belly. Things have been hard since your father…died. We dinnae have any other place we could go.”

Mother and son walked on through the gates and into the front door. The door almost hit them as it closed as they found their way blocked by a scowling woman dressed in green. Billy’s eyes had snapped closed when the door slammed shut and as he opened them, all he could see was dark green. As he looked into her face, a sense of fear like none he had felt before gripped. “A banshee?” He whispered.

The pale features of the woman standing before them gave her the appearance of a ghost. The dark hair on her head had been pulled back severely into a knot on the nape of her neck. Her eyes were so dark brown, they looked almost black. “I am Matron Morrell, I oversee the women’s and children’s dormitories here.” She gestured to a young woman walking through the foyer. “Alice, take the young boy here to the children’s wing and get him settled in a bed. Dinner will be served in one hour. Follow the other children when you hear the bell toll. Woman, you follow me.”

Matron Morrell started to walk to the stairs on the eastern side of the foyer. “Wait! I thought my son would remain with me?” Billy’s mom asked.

“I don’t know where you heard that, but that is not the way things are done here at the Rickman Workhouse. If there is to be any chance of unlearning the laziness of their parents, the children must be taught to work hard and not be coddled. That will not happen if he remains with you. You will have an opportunity to see him at dinner on Mondays and Fridays.”

“Can I say goodbye to him now?” The mother asked as she looked through tear-filled eyes at her son.

“Make it quick, I have other duties to see to.”

Billy ran to his mom and grabbed her around the neck as she stooped to gather him in her arms. “I dinnae care about food in me belly and a warm place to sleep. I just want to be with you!” Billy whimpered as a tear rolled down his check.

His mother reached out to wipe the tear away with her thumb. “Everything will be well, Billy. Look for the moon when you sleep. If you can’t see it, close your eyes and it will be there. Look at the face of the woman in the moon, sing our song, and I will be there with you. Today is Wednesday. I will see you in two days at dinner.” With a last tight squeeze, she stood up and walked towards Matron Morrell.

Billy’s days in the workhouse trudged by slowly. Only his brief visits with his mother flew by. Their shared moments were the highlight of Billy’s week. It was the only time he felt a little bit of hope. He never had much time with his mother, just enough for a hug and a short conversation.
It had been decided by Matron Morrell that since Billy already knew how to read and write thanks to his mother, he would be of more use as a rat killer instead of needing to go to school. She assigned him to assist a boy named Charlie. Charlie was older than Billy by a couple of years but was the same height as Billy. This was fortunate, as Charlie was a bully towards the younger children, especially a little boy named Oliver.

Oliver was a scrawny, nondescript child with a quiet voice. Billy had met Oliver by chance when he came upon Charlie and two of his cronies holding Oliver down one day and smacking him in the head with dead rats. Billy was able to get him away by saying Matron Morrell needed Oliver downstairs. It was a lie of course but it worked to get Oliver away from the bullies.

Billy spent as much time as he could with Oliver over the next couple of days. Billy found Oliver to be annoying, but Billy soon realized he enjoyed having someone he could watch out for. He could not wait to share with his mom that he had found a friend, but she was not there at their first meeting for the week. Billy tried to ask around to find out where she was, but no one seemed to know the answer. When she failed to appear at their second meeting time, Billy knew something was wrong.

Dragging Oliver along with him, Billy went the next morning to find Matron Morrell. She still had the look of a haggard, old crone and Billy was afraid to approach her. The need to know what was wrong with his mother superseded any fear he felt however, and he knew the matron was the one who could answer him.

“She has the influenza,” Matron Morrell answered when Billy had asked her. “She is in the infirmary with the other ill people. And no, before you ask, I cannot allow you to see her. I cannae have you spreading the influenza throughout the rest of the workhouse. You will be able to see her after she gets better.” Disheartened, Billy and Oliver walked back towards their dormitory to finish their duties for the day.

During the course of their short friendship, Billy had moved his pallet closer to Oliver’s in case Oliver needed protection from the bullies during the night. However, on this particular night, the only protection Oliver needed was the kind Billy could not provide. Billy awoke in the middle of the night to a strange sound coming from Oliver’s pallet. Billy crawled quietly over to see what was going on.

It sounds like he is having trouble breathing! Billy reached out a hand to Oliver’s face only to find he was burning up. He must have the influenza too! I must get him help! Billy ran and grabbed the night guard who directed Billy to get Oliver to the infirmary on his own.

The infirmary was located not far from the boys’ dormitory but it seemed like miles for Billy. He had just begun his friendship with little Oliver and he was sick. He hadn’t seen his mother recently and she was sick. They were both good. What had he done to earn this punishment?

Upon arriving at the infirmary, Billy was greeted by a haggard but kind looking young nurse who pointed him towards a bed where he could lay Oliver. “Yes, he has the influenza for certain. I recognize the symptoms. We do not have much medicine left. Run down to the main desk and grab some more medicine and come right back.”

When Billy returned with the medicine, the nurse asked him to stay and help as there were many people in the workhouse who had fallen ill. As he walked around the infirmary, tending to the various needs of the sick, his eyes fell upon a familiar face. “Mum!” He quickly made his way to her side.

The hazel eyes he knew so well slowly opened. “I have missed you, my son,” Billy’s mother said in a weak voice. “There are a couple of things I need to tell you and I don’t think I have much time.”

“Sssshhh, mum. We can talk later.” Billy said as he wiped her forehead with a cloth.

“No, Billy. I need to tell you now. Your full first name is William. You were named after me da. You have much the look of him and he was a tall man like you are going to be. I called ye Billy because it hurt so much to think of my father when I called ye William.”

“William.” Billy said to himself. “I like the name, mum. It’s a man’s name.”

“One other thing. I think your da may still be alive. He did not die, as I told you. He was a scallywag and left me to seek out his fortune after yer wee brother passed on. He never returned so I assumed he had died. I thought he would come back, but he didna. Look around my neck and you will find a locket with his miniature inside. Maybe one day, you will find him.”

A small cough rattled up from her chest and when she spoke again, it was in a whisper. “I’m so sorry I am just now telling you this, Billy. You were the best thing that ever happened in my life. I love you so much, son. I wanted to give you so much more out of life. I didna want it to end like this.”

“I love you, too, Mum! You were the best mum! Please don’t go! I need you!” Billy said as a tear rolled down his cheek.

Her next words were so soft Billy had to lean close to her mouth. “Billy. I’m so sorry, son. I…love you…more than…any…thing. Sing…me…the…song.” Her last words were expelled on a breath. Billy started to sing softly.

By the light of a full moon,
I know I will see you soon
All the ones we love so dear,
Gone from sight but always near
I’m so glad you came to see
I know your love will cover me.

By the time he finished, tears were rolling down his face. His mother did not waken, and shortly after, she drew her last breath.

I am truly alone now. What am I going to do? Mum! Why did you leave me? Billy’s thoughts were in turmoil. He had no idea what was going to happen to him now. He sat next to his mother’s body for a few minutes as tears continued to roll down his cheeks. When he felt a hand grip his shoulder, he remembered what had brought him to the infirmary in the first place. Oliver! Billy turned from his mother to search for his friend.

It only took a few minutes for Billy to locate the bed where his friend lay. With a last kiss to his mother’s cheek, he hurried over to his friend to see how he could help him. “Oliver,” Billy said. “How are you feeling?” However, Billy did not get an answer.

The kind nurse came over to Oliver’s other side. “He’s not doing very well, I’m afraid. This influenza is a terrible illness.”

“What can I do to help?” Billy asked helplessly, as he watched the slow rise and fall of his new friend’s chest.

“Sit next to him, and talk to him. I believe he can hear you. Let him know he is not alone.” The kind nurse answered.

“That lady over there,” Billy said as he gestured to where his mother lay, “is my mum. She just died I think.”

“I’m so sorry, young man. She was a very sweet woman. Always talking about her hardworking and handsome son.” She gave Billy a pat on the shoulder as she walked away.

“Oliver. Please don’t leave me. I need you here.” Billy spoke to Oliver off and on through the night. Oliver did not wake, but Billy continued to speak with him, telling him about the moon and even singing him the moon song. As the first light of dawn showed through the few windows in the room, Billy looked to Oliver and noticed that his chest was no longer moving.

Billy had no more tears left to cry. The sadness he had felt slowly grew into something stronger and harsher. Why do the good people have to go? Neither mum nor Oliver had done anything wrong. The wrong was done to them! This is not fair! As these thoughts rolled through his mind, Billy could feel his heart beating faster and faster.

He looked to the window, needing to look away from the body of his friend. A full moon! In the morning? Goodbye, mum. Goodbye, Oliver. Please keep coming to see me when the moon is full! I will never forget either of you!

“Billy,” the kind nurse’s words broke through his jumbled thoughts. “We have enough help here now. You can go on down to the main room and get some breakfast. Thank you for your help.”

Billy blinked his eyes a couple of times, looked at the nurse, and nodded. As he stood, he felt his heart grow cold. He was alone in the world, and he needed to start looking out for himself. Billy was a name for a child and he was a child no more. It was time for him to become William.

Chapter Text

The next few days passed in a blur for William. He went about his daily duties in a stupor, aware that his mother was no longer there but not wanting to think about what might become of his future. He attended the simple burials of his mother and Oliver, the sole attendee save the priest and the workers in the paupers’ cemetery.

William did not hear the words the priest spoke over his mom, as his thoughts were consumed by his grief. He allowed himself a few tears as the first shovelful of dirt hit the coffin. With each shovelful of dirt, William felt his heart grow a little colder. He was alone in the world now, it was time to be his own man and make his own way in the world.

With a final whisper of I love you to his mother, William dried his eyes with the back of his hand and started the walk back to the workhouse. As he trudged through the menacing doors, his ears caught the sound of his name. William recognized the voice as that of Matron Morrell. “Wellington…what do we do…don’t want to keep him here much longer…he’s getting too large for us to be able to control should he get the idea to rebel.”

William walked down the hallway towards the sound of the voice. Through a crack in the door, he saw Matron Morrell speaking to a man he had never seen before. The man appeared to be deep in thought, and replied, “I can take him with me to London. There is a workhouse there who will accept older boys and train them in a profession. With his size, there are a number of jobs he could probably do well.”

William could not stand by any longer and let other people control his future. He burst through the door, causing both the man and Matron Morrell to jump in surprise. “I heard me name spoken. Did you have a need for me, ma’am?”

“Billy, this man is Mr. Stevens. He is from London. He has come to take you with him to an institution that will train you up in a career so you will avoid having to come back to a workhouse when you are grown.” As she spoke, Matron Morrell clasped her hands together in front of her ample waist.

“London has lots of opportunities for a young man such as yourself. The matron here thought it would be best for you to come with me for a fresh start and so you can get training for a career. If you want to pack up your stuff, we can be on our way.” Mr. Stevens said in a calm but straightforward manner.

While Mr. Stevens was speaking, William took a couple of moments to look him over. He was an average looking man, his dark hair liberally threaded with gray and glasses upon his brown eyes. William was able to look him in the eye, as Mr. Stevens was not much taller.

William’s initial feeling was one of panic. His mother had just gone, and people were already trying to turn his world upside down again! However, as he listened to Mr. Stevens, he began to think that the change might be good. He wanted to be his own man and stand on his own feet, and London sounded like the perfect place for that to happen.

“Go on up and get your things, Billy. Mr. Stevens is ready to leave now.” Matron Morrell said, a note of finality in her tone.

William did not want to waste another moment in the presence of the matron. He flew up the stairs to the boys’ dormitory to grab his few personal items, his most prized item being the locket from his mother. He made sure the locket was firmly in his pocket before gathering the rest of his meager belongings. He didn’t care if anything else was lost but he wanted to make sure he had the locket.

When William arrived back downstairs, Mr. Stevens was the only person in the lobby. Matron Morrell was nowhere to be seen which suited William just fine. He had no wish to see the hateful hussy again. He only wanted to take with him the brief memories of his mother and the few memories he had made with Oliver.

“Let’s be on our way, Billy.” Mr. Stevens said as he turned to walk out the doors.

“William, sir. My given name is William.”

“Very well, then, William. Let’s be on our way.”

The next two days seemed to alternately drag and fly by for William. Mr. Stevens was not given to much conversation, which suited William well as so much had happened in the last few days he had not had time to process everything. He had torn a strip from the bottom of his other shirt and the locket was nestled close to his heart. Fortunately, the appearance to others was just that of a torn collar, which was not entirely unexpected on a young teenage boy traveling from a workhouse.

William’s first glimpse of the St. Martin Workhouse in London was entirely gray. The cloudy skies provided a gray backdrop to the three-story gray building. A lighter gray sign hung above the door with the name of the workhouse written in colorless letters. William felt it was a fitting place for the next stage of his life. With the sunlight of his mother gone, and the main memory of her a moon which only came once a month, his future was looking pretty bleak.

Mr. Stevens directed William to the dormitory for the boys and pointed him to a bed underneath a window. He then asked William to meet him downstairs after he had a chance to put away his meager belongings. After Mr. Stevens left the dorm, William took a couple of moments to look around for a place to stash the locket. He knew what might happen if other boys caught him wearing it, and he wanted it to be safe.

The bed he was to sleep on was located right next to the outer brick wall of the building, and it only took William a moment to find a loose brick and gently place the locket behind it. He did not want to take a chance on losing the only image of the lady who had practically given her life for him. Fortunately, the brick was located close to the floor and William moved his bed over just a bit to disguise his hiding place.

William went back down the stairs to find Mr. Stevens and see what hell awaited him in this new place. He found the man just inside the front doors of the workhouse, with an angry-looking woman standing right next to him. “Here I am, sir,” William said in a loud, clear voice.

“Ah, William. There you are. This is Matron Paulson. She oversees the daily chores in this place, while I oversee the outside duties of those deemed able to work.” As Mr. Stevens spoke, he swept a hand towards the angry-looking woman.

William watched as she looked him up and down with a sneer on her face. “You look like a disagreeable lad. I am sure we will have to beat you with the rod every day to make sure you stay in line. We do not allow disorder in our establishment. Mr. Stevens, we should probably start with a beating before we show him his chores. Beat him into submission before he has a chance to rebel.”

“Ma’am, I will do anything you ask. Please give me a chance before you judge me!” William said in what he hoped was a respectful tone of voice.

“Speaking out against my authority already, young miscreant! See, Mr. Stevens, I had this young man pegged from the start. Please take him for his first daily curtailing. Then send him back to me and I will make sure he knows what is expected of him.” Matron Paulson said with a dismissive flick of her hand.

“Matron Paulson, this young man just lost his mother, perhaps the curtailing can wait until we see how he will actually behave…” Mr. Stevens tried to reason with Matron Paulson, but he was interrupted.

Matron Paulson’s face was turning more red with anger the more Mr. Stevens said. “Mr. Stevens! You placed me in control of the workings inside the workhouse. If you are not going to allow me full control, perhaps I need to seek employment elsewhere.”
Mr. Stevens knew another successful matron would be hard to find so he acquiesced and took William to the curtailer.

Everything that happened after that put William’s mind into a constant state of darkness. Daily whippings followed by chores that lasted from morning to night, brief moments to sleep before it all started again. He felt as if he was in the lowest bowels of hell, all alone, without any hope that things would get better.

Then all of a sudden, one night when he was unable to sleep from the painful wounds on his back, he saw it. A full moon. His bed underneath the window provided him with a perfect view of the shining orb. He looked close upon it and was able to see the face of a woman, looking down on him. “Mum,” he whispered as a tear slipped down his cheek.

William felt a small frisson of warmth creep back into his heart. He had to escape this place and make a better way for himself. His mum would not want him suffering from the daily beatings and the constant anger of Matron Paulson. “I’ll make a better way, mum. Don’t worry.” William whispered as the words to the moon song ran through his head. He laid his head down on his pillow, and slept deeper than he had since coming to the London workhouse.

The next morning, William resolved to make the best of his situation no matter what happened to him. He needed to find a way to escape this place, and the best way to do that would be a job outside of the workhouse. He had yet to get past the daily beatings and the morning to night chores to be assigned to an apprenticeship. He knew many of the older boys went daily to train for future careers outside of the workhouse. William realized that his only chance lay in showing Matron Paulson that he could be submissive despite everything she was doing to kill his internal spirit.

For fourteen days straight following his glimpse of the moon, William was on his best behavior. He hoped that every “Yes, Matron Paulson” and “Right away, Matron Paulson” would pay off and he would finally be allowed outside of the workhouse. The daily curtailings and chores continued. He almost began to lose hope, but he dared to remove his mother’s locket from the hiding place so he could look upon her face. This was enough to give him the strength to carry on.

On day fifteen, William finally received the break he was longing for. Matron Paulson informed him that he was to be apprenticed to a blacksmith due to his size. One of the other boys in the workhouse was apprenticed to the same blacksmith, and he and William would walk together each day to learn the trade. William didn’t bother trying to remember the boy’s name. He knew he would be leaving in a few days and did not want to add guilt to everything he had already been through.

At the end of the first week, the blacksmith gave William and the other boy each a handful of coins to give back to the workhouse. While they were walking back, the other boy told William that he always kept a couple of the coins and that William should do the same so they would not find out what he was doing. William agreed to the plan and promised the boy that he would not tell the matron what was going on.

Two more weeks of daily curtailings had taken their toll on William’s outlook. He could feel himself sinking deeper into the darkness again. He knew it was time to leave, even with the thought that he would be out on the street on his own. The uncertainty of what he would face on the outside of those gray brick walls greatly outweighed the bleakness and pain in the workhouse. William realized that if he stayed any longer, the blackness would completely overtake him. He wanted to escape before the last of his self-respect could be stripped from his back.

The morning of his last day in the workhouse, William dallied a little bit before following the rest of the boys down the stairs. He removed the locket from its hiding place along with the few coins he had managed to stash away from his apprenticeship. After replacing the brick and fastening the locket around his neck, he took a last glance around the dorm, knowing that the only memory he wanted to take from this place was the night he had seen the moon again.

The workday with the blacksmith was just the same as the others, save the fact that William could already feel the blackness lightening to a dark gray. A small tingle of fear coursed through him every time he thought about the end of the work day, but he chose to face the fear instead of returning to the hellish company of Matron Paulson. A cold winter’s night on the street held more warmth than the heart of that woman.

The transit of the sun across the sky went unperceived by William in the dimness of the smithy. Thus he was completely surprised at how quickly the hours went. The blacksmith handed William and the other boy their coins for the week and they started the walk towards the workhouse. William tried to drag behind a bit, but the other boy slowed his steps to match William’s. William tried to motion him on ahead, but the boy was not catching the hint.

“Look, I’m not going back to that place. You might as well go on.” William told him, hoping he would leave him alone.

“If you aren’t going, then I won’t either.” The boy replied. “Where were you going to go?”

William shrugged. “I’ll find a place, you go on.”

“No, let’s stay together. At least for now. I know a place we can go. My aunt works for a man here in London, we can go to her. She wasn’t able to take me in before but now that I’m older, I can work for my keep. I’m Oliver, by the by. I noticed you never called me by name.”

The tingle of fear that had been following William changed into a tingle of hope. Oliver was a name that could be trusted. “My name is William. Let’s go find your aunt.”

The establishment where Oliver’s aunt worked was several blocks away from the blacksmith. Oliver had said she worked in a pub near one of the tanneries in town. Aunt Margarita welcomed them with open arms. The owner of the pub where she worked allowed the boys to run errands for him, which included sometimes escorting the drunks in the pub home to their womenfolk. Of course, the pub owner taught the boys that an escort home incurred an extra cost which the boys were to take from the men during their walk home.

When the pub owner realized how much extra money he could bring in with William and Oliver, he expected more money from them. He told them that if they did not bring in more money, he would turn them out in the streets. William knew what they were being asked to do was wrong, but he complied, having come to look upon the little pub as home.

William soon grasped that nighttime was the best time to pick someone’s pocket. All of the drunks walking home would not be as cognizant of a slight tug on their coat as they would be during the day. After a couple of nights, William had managed to net a large portion of the fee the pub owner was requesting for their room and board.

A couple of nights turned into weeks which turned into months. William had become so adept at picking pockets that he decided to work during the daytime too. He always chose the disheveled looking men, knowing they were the easiest to trick if he needed to say something after “bumping” into them.

One particular day, William spied a gray headed man walking down the street with a young blonde girl by his side. She appeared to be only a couple of years younger than William. She was chattering like a magpie the entire time, but the man just smiled at her and patted her hand. She glanced at William when they walked by, and her blue eyes seemed to twinkle at him. He was unable to move for a good minute after they passed, the memory of those blue eyes holding him spellbound.

William saw the man again a few days later, but the pretty blonde wasn’t with him. He was weaving in and out amongst the other people on the street, and his coat was disheveled as if he had been drinking most of the day. William knew an easy target when he spotted one. As the man got closer to him, William knelt down and pretended to tie his shoe. When the man got in front of him, William stood up quickly, causing the man to sway to the side. William quickly grabbed his arm with one hand in the pretense of making sure he didn’t fall, while his other hand reached into the man’s pocket for his wallet.

As his hand found the prize, William heard a metallic clink and felt something close around his wrist. He looked up to see the man staring at him with a clear gaze, all signs of drunkenness now gone. “I’ve been trying to catch you for weeks, son. You have picked your last pocket. Time to face your crimes. I am Henry Scarlet, a detective from Scotland Yard. Come with me.”

William tried to resist, but knew he must face his punishment. His mum had raised him to be better than what he had been doing. “What’s going to happen to me, sir?”

“I don’t know, young man. Do you have family to vouch for you?”

No, sir. My family is gone. I’ve been working at a pub for my keep but I don’t think he will vouch for me either.”

“Then you’ll likely end up in the workhouse. That’s where most of the pickpockets go.”

William began to struggle against the handcuffs in earnest. “No, you willna take me back there. I WILLNA GO! They took me mum but they won’t take me! NO, NO, NO!!!” After a few tugs, he knew he was not going to get away from the detective. The handcuffs were too tight. He felt the blackness he thought he had left behind begin to creep back and a few tears trickled down his cheeks. “Please, sir. Anywhere but the workhouse.”

“Son, son. Calm down. If you promise to calm down and come with me, I’ll remove the cuffs. Have you eaten today? We can go find a bite to eat so you can tell me your story. Do we have a deal? We will not be going to a workhouse today. I promise you. What is your name?”

“William Wellington, sir. I’d appreciate a bite to eat. I haven’t eaten today.”

“Well, let’s go. My stomach will be rumbling in a minute and that’s not a pretty noise. Are there any other wallets you need to return today?”

“No, sir. You were my first try.” William said, while looking ashamedly at his feet. He felt a hand grip his shoulder and he looked up into the twinkling blue eyes of Henry Scarlet, he knew the young lady had to be his daughter as the twinkle in her eyes matched the twinkle in Henry’s. As Henry turned to walk back the way from where he had came, William followed. He had made a promise, and he intended to keep it.

William did not know where they were going but he had a feeling that he could trust this kind man. Henry walked until he came to a townhouse with a red door, and William followed him inside. “Ivy, we will have a guest for dinner,” Henry shouted the minute he had shut the door.

“Father! You’re home!” William looked up to see pretty Miss Scarlet bounce down the stairs and into her father’s arms for a hug. As her eyes met William’s, she took a step back and asked, “Who’s this, Father?”

“Eliza, this is William Wellington. He will be having dinner with us this evening. William, this is my daughter Eliza.” Henry said, while placing a hand on William’s shoulder to guide him into the parlor. “Give me and this young man some time to talk, and you may question him all you want to at dinner.” Eliza grinned at her father and turned to bounce back up the stairs.

William spent the better part of the next hour sharing his story with Henry. He kept his gaze pinned on the rug while he was speaking, not wanting to look up to see anger or pity pointed towards him. When he finished his story and took a risk in looking up, the kindness was still on Henry’s face.

“Well, William, what do you want out of life? And how can I help make that happen? I know there is good in you, and I know you can put it to good use. How can I help you?” Henry spoke to William without losing a trace of the kindness on his face.

“Sir, I’m not used to people treating me with kindness. All the ones I have ever met have used me for their own purposes. I’m not sure how to react to kindness and I don’t know what I want to do with my life.”

“Let’s explore that together, my dearest boy. Stay here tonight and we will talk more tomorrow. We have an extra room upstairs you can use for the night. Are you amenable to this?”

With a variety of emotions clogging up his throat, William was only able to nod in reply.

Following the best meal he had ever eaten and the volley of questions from young Miss Scarlet, William was led to the guest bedroom. It had been years since he had slept in a real bed, much less slept in a room by himself. Henry provided him with a borrowed nightshirt, and after bidding him a good night, left the overwhelmed young man by himself.

William sat on the bed, and allowed himself a good cry. Since losing his mother, he felt like he had been in survival mode, just pushing through day to day. However, tonight, he knew he didn’t have to worry about tomorrow. He would wake up in a warm house to a warm meal with warm people, and he might even have a chance to dream about his own future.

William finally allowed himself to accept his good fortune, at least for a night, and laid down to go to sleep. He was emotionally spent. He removed the locket from his neck, laid it on the bedside table, and blew out the candle, only to notice that there was a light shining in through the window. He went over and pushed the curtain aside, and there it was. A full moon with the woman smiling down. His mum was still proud of him. William knew then that everything was going to be ok.

And it was. For the first few days, Henry would say they could talk about where he would go tomorrow, and eventually it changed to talk about school and what William needed to catch up with other lads his age. It was through these meals shared together that William developed a deep respect and love for Henry. Henry was the father he never had, and he helped William to realize what he wanted to do with his life: become a detective at Scotland Yard.

Chapter Text

Henry Scarlet had been gone for 6 months now. The grief had become a little less with each passing day, but William still missed his mentor. There were times he could really use his advice, especially when it came to Eliza. That woman gave him headaches at times.

Knock knock. “Enter.”

Detective Fitzroy opened the door and walked in. “Sir, we’ve had a report of a man using a false identity at the Covington Workhouse. He is ill, and they are trying to remove him but they cannot until they know his name. I know, sir, that I should send a constable, but sir…”

“Spit it out, Detective.”

“Well, sir, he’s using your name.” Detective Fitzroy said as he handed over the copy of the report. William tried to read the report but his eyes kept returning to the place where his name was written.

“There is a photograph of the man on the next page, sir.”

William flipped the top page of the report over so he could view the picture. He felt his breath stop for a moment. It was almost as if he were looking at a photograph of himself as an older man; at least what he imagined he would look like if he had not met Henry and Eliza Scarlet. Who is this man and why is he using my name? The questions turned over and over in William’s mind as he looked at the photo. He knew the man wasn’t his father because his father had died when he was a wee lad.

“I’ll go check it out, Fitzroy.” William said as he walked to the rack to grab his coat and bowler.

“Would you like me to accompany you, sir?”

“No, Detective. I think we only need one man on this investigation. I’ll send a message if I need you.” William replied as he walked out the door. He heard Fitzroy reply in the affirmative as he walked down the hallway.

The carriage ride to the Covington Workhouse was relatively short. After walking in and identifying himself, the attendant led him to the hospital wing where the fake Mr. Wellington was being housed due to an illness. As William gazed down on the older man’s face, a frisson of unwelcome familiarity coursed through his body. Looking upon the man’s face in person had a different effect than just looking at a picture. Had his father not died? The resemblance was too close for the man not to be a relative of some sort.

As William stood looking down, the man opened his eyes and stared up at him. “Billy? Is that you, son?” William detected a hint of Scottish brogue in the man’s gravelly voice.

“I am Detective Inspector Wellington from Scotland Yard. Who are you, sir?” William asked the man without answering his question.

“William Wellington, originally from Glasgow but I've been traveling around the country for several years now, after leaving Glasgow to look for work. I had a son named William Wellington but I haven’t seen him since he was a young lad. Is your first name William, Inspector? I can hear the Scot in your voice and you look like me when I was younger.”

“There is no need for my first name to come into the conversation, sir. I am here to investigate your identity. Do you have some kind of identification which can prove you are William Wellington? The attendants have reason to suspect that you are not telling the truth.” William spoke in an authoritative tone, hoping the man would take the hint and quit asking questions of him.

“My personal effects are on the chair right there, Inspector.” The man said as he gestured to the chair next to his bed. “There is a picture in the front pocket of my coat which will tell you all you need to know.”

William walked over to the chair and picked up the man’s coat. As he pulled the picture out, he could have swore his heart stopped for a moment. There, staring back at him, was his mother and himself as a child, along with a man who looked exactly like the one William saw when he looked in the mirror every morning. “I need to take this as evidence, sir. I’ll send it back with a Detective to ye tomorrow.” William took hold of the folder and placed it into his notebook. “Good day, sir.”

“Billy, don’t leave yet. Come back. I know it’s you! Let me apologize!” The man’s voice became almost frantic by the last word, but William did not turn back around. He felt everything he knew about himself crashing around his feet. He wasn’t sure where he was going, but he needed to get out of the workhouse.

He did not remember making it back to the carriage or the ride back to the yard. His mind was in turmoil. After twenty-five years he had found his father alive? Why had his mother told him he had died? The thoughts swirled around in William’s head until the end of the day. He knew the best way to get them out of his head was with whisky. When the other detectives let him know they were headed to the Scurvy Sea Dog for some drinks after work, he went along with them and did not stop drinking until the thoughts had been silenced.

*****
Knock knock knock. “Why in the world are people knocking at my door at this hour of the night?” Eliza muttered to herself while she finished getting ready for bed. Ivy was at her mother’s for the night, so Eliza was by herself. She grabbed her wrapper from the end of her bed, and headed downstairs to see who was at the door. Knock Knock Knock Knock. “I’m coming, I’m coming!”

Eliza looked through the peephole straight into the face of Detective Fitzroy. Had something happened to William? She hurriedly undid the locks on the door and opened it to see a very drunken Detective Inspector Wellington behind barely held up by Detective Fitzroy. “What on earth?” Eliza asked, while running her gaze over both men. It was apparent only William had been drinking that night.

“I found him wandering the streets tonight, Miss Scarlet. I wasn’t sure where to take him and thought maybe you and Miss Ivy could help.” Fitzroy replied, an underlying tone of helplessness in his voice. “I didn’t want him to be found by anyone else and risk his job. He’s the best Inspector we’ve got down at the Yard and I don’t want to lose him.”

“You did the right thing, Detective Fitzroy. Bring him into the parlor. I’ll rouse Ivy and we’ll take it from here.” Eliza did not mention Ivy’s absence as she still had somewhat of a reputation and did not want to damage it further. She grabbed William’s other arm and helped lead him to the settee in the parlor. William sat down hard, mumbling about fathers, while Fitzroy muttered a quiet thanks and departed quickly through the front door.

Eliza refastened all of the locks and went back to the parlor to check on William. “Oh, William. What has happened to you? I haven’t seen you this way in a long time.”

“Lizzie. Why are you at my house? Maybe it’s the same dream I always have. I’ll talk to you anyway. Since you’re a dream I don’t have to worry about you talking back to me. I found me da today. In a workhouse of all places. Do you know what they do to boys like me in workhouses? Beatings just to make us better men. Working all hours of the day for a scrap of bread and some water. More beatings because I didna eat my bread fast enough. People dying because there wasna enough medicine. My mum dying right in front of me. Little Olie dying right in front of me. And then today? Me da, who had already died. At least I thought. He was in a workhouse. The place where my mum and I had to go because that man left us I guess. Those places are bad, Lizzie. Evil places. Mean places. A terrible place for a child to grow up. But that’s where I grew up. Getting beat because I was tall and tried to speak my mind. No child deserves to grow up there. My father deserved to be there though. He was a mean bastard. Left ma and me to ourselves but I dinnae know why. She loved him but love is fickle and does not help anyone. I love you but do I have you? No. You are here now but you will be gone when I wake. I don’t want to wake up if you are not going to be here. I need you to help me know that there is still good in my world when all I have seen today is the bad.”

William ended his monologue with a noisy sob. Placing his hands on his face, he started crying as if he had no hope left in the world. Eliza had never heard a man cry in that fashion before, and she was not about to let William go through it alone. She sat on her knees on the settee beside him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, drawing his head to her bosom. “I am here, William. Let it out, things will look better in the morning.”

As she spoke, she felt his arms creep around her and squeeze her tight. “For a dream…you feel real,” she heard him say through his sobs. “But I’m glad you are here, at least in my dreams.” She responded with what she hoped were words of comfort while rubbing her hands up and down his back. Gradually, the sobs faded and his eyes, swollen and unfocused with all the emotional upheaval, looked towards her. “Thanks, love. You are the only one who can help me through this, even if you aren’t truly here.”

As he finished his sentence, William’s eyes snapped shut and he started to lean towards the side. Thankfully, Fitzroy had helped remove his coat before sitting him down, so all Eliza had to do was remove his shoes and lift his legs onto the settee. It was a little short for him, but she knew it was the best she could do. After moving a chair closer to where he’d laid his head and covering him with a blanket, Eliza grabbed another blanket for herself and curled up in the chair to watch over him.

Just a few minutes after laying him down, William started to jerk and mumble to himself. Eliza leaned out from her chair, placed a hand on his heart, and said “William, I’m here. Everything is okay, go back to sleep.” His hand came up to grasp the hand over his heart and he calmed down. Eliza tried to remove her hand from his grasp, but even with him sleeping he had a strong grip. After a couple of tugs, she told herself she really didn’t want to let go anyway and decided to let their hands hang between them while she sought her own rest.

*****

William woke early the following morning with his neck and back hurting. The last thing he remembered about the night before was leaving the pub after his last of several glasses of whiskey. Seeing his father after all these years had sent William into a downward spiral. All of the feelings from watching his mother die and his time in the workhouse came back in a flood when he saw his father. Whisky was not the best option for drowning out the thoughts but he had needed to at least silence them until he had some time to think.

William gingerly opened his eyes to the bright morning sunlight. Bright morning sunlight? His bedroom was dark. Where was he? His eyes braved the sunlight to find out where he was. This is Eliza’s sitting room. How did I get here? He turned his head to the side to see Eliza curled up in a chair very close to his own, sound asleep. She’s beautiful when she’s asleep.

William realized he was holding her hand in a tight grasp and abruptly let go, causing her hand to fall against the arm of her chair. The sudden action caused her to sit up and look right at him. “William. You’re awake. How do you feel?”

He ignored her question for the moment and chose to ask one of his own. “How did I end up here?”
“Fitzroy found you in a very drunken state last night and decided to bring you here, thinking Ivy and I could help you. However, Ivy was at your mother’s so it was just me. You fell asleep shortly after you got here and I stayed down here to make sure you were okay.”

“I am so sorry you had to be bothered by this last night.” William said as he placed his head in his hands. He knew talking to someone about the situation would help, and Eliza was a good choice as she knew a lot of his background already, but he had not wanted to get anyone else involved this soon. He realized another detective would need to take over since he could not investigate his own father, but he had not made it to that step in the thinking process.

“William,” Eliza said, reaching out to take his hand, “it was no problem. I’m glad Fitzroy found you and not someone else. Someone who would have tried to make it affect your job. You are never a bother. Let me know how I can help you…after I go get dressed.” She finished, drawing William’s attention to the first time that she was in her night clothes, not that the voluminous gown and robe gave him any hint of her shape.

A little time passed before William heard Eliza’s footsteps in the hallway, her voice preceding her entrance into the parlor. “All presentable now. What can I do to help you, William?”

William took a minute to consider her question. Did he want to unburden himself all the way? Would letting her in too deep come back to haunt him later? He decided she was the best person he could talk to as he didn’t want any of the men back at the Yard to know the sordid secrets of his past. “I saw my father yesterday.”

“Your father? I thought he had died when you were very young?” Eliza asked, remembering him mentioning his father the night before.

“So did I.” William spotted his coat hanging on the hook in the hallway and fetched it so he could show Eliza the picture he had gotten the day before. “Let me show you the picture he had on him.” William handed the photo to her.

Eliza looked at the picture and back at William and repeated the action a couple of times. “The man in this picture looks just like you.”

“Yes, I noticed. We received a report at the Yard of a man in a workhouse supposedly using a false name, which just happened to be the same as my name. There was also a picture which resembled me, albeit an older and harder worked version. When I asked him for identification, he told me to get the picture. I couldna stay after that. I told him someone would bring it back to him tomorrow and I walked out.”

Eliza reached and placed her hand on William’s arm. “Did he say anything else to you?”

William sighed deeply. “He just called me Billy, which is what my mother always called me.” He looked into Eliza’s eyes as he continued, “I thought he was dead. Just like Ma. I have no idea why he’s alive or in London.”

“Would you like me to go talk to him for you? I have no appointments today and maybe I can get the answers you seek. Unless you would prefer to send another detective.”

“No, I dinnae want any of them to know my story. I would rather you…,” William stopped speaking as a memory popped into his head. “I just remembered the locket my mother gave me before she died. I have it put away at home. I think it has me da in it as well. Meet me at your office in about an hour; I’ll get the locket and bring it to you. I would prefer for you to talk to my father so I dinnae have to tell any of the lads about my history.”

Eliza acquiesced to William’s suggestion and told him she would see him at her office. William retrieved his bowler and jacket and made quick work of the trip back to his home. He remembered exactly where he kept the locket, in a small box hidden in the bottom of his wardrobe. William opened the box and took out the locket which he had not actually opened in several years. After placing it safely in his pocket, he headed out his front door and straight to Eliza’s office.

The meeting between Eliza and William was brief. After William handed the locket to Eliza, she asked a couple of questions about when he had received it and the pictures inside. When she tried to hand it back to him, he told her to keep it until she had finished questioning his father.

*****

The attendant at the hospital led William and Eliza to the hospital wing. “Mr. Wellington’s illness worsened during the night, but he has been awake most of the morning. Said he was waiting for someone from Scotland Yard to come.”

Before going through the door, William told Eliza he would wait outside. “I dinnae think I can see him again until I have some answers.”

“I’ll see what I can find out for you,” Eliza replied as she turned and walked towards the bed where the elder Wellington lay. “Mr. Wellington?”

Mr. Wellington opened his eyes. “You do not look like anyone from Scotland Yard. Why has a beautiful blonde come to see me? Heard what a looker I was from some fellow?”

“I am Miss Scarlet, a private detective working for Scotland Yard. I have some questions to ask you. They are trying to establish your identity.”

“Scotland Yard, eh? You must know my Billy. Right proud of him I am. A Detective Inspector. My boy has come out strong. Who are you really, his tart? You are too pretty to be a detective. An actress who keeps my son occupied when he’s not at work?”

“Sir, I can assure you I am no man’s ‘tart,’ and that I am here as a detective. Inspector Wellington cannot speak with you himself due to your claims that you are related to him. So are you going to answer my questions or do I need to send a couple of constables to deliver you to the jail to answer the questions there?”

“What a woman! You remind me of the blonde I left Billy’s mother for. Moira was a brunette with dark eyes. I guess she was pretty in her own way but she didn’t tempt me after the first couple of years of our marriage. After our second son died shortly after his birth, I took to spending my days at the pub trying to drown out my memory. That’s where I met her. Jocelyn. A ray of sunshine in my gloom. She was only in town for a short time and when she left, I decided to go with her.” Mr. Wellington paused in his monologue to examine Eliza again. “Another reason to be proud of my son. He likes beautiful blondes just like his father.”

As Mr. Wellington paused again, loud footsteps sounded behind them. Eliza knew it was William and that the conversation he had overheard had made him angry. “Billy, I didna know you would be returning today. I’m enjoying my chat with your lady friend here. If I wasn’t feeling so poorly, you might have some competition for her attention.” Mr. Wellington finished with a lascivious wink towards Eliza.

“You will address me as Inspector Wellington, sir. Your next words with Miss Scarlet had better be in a proper tone of respect, or I will send someone to cart you to the Yard and question you there. I dinnae care if you are ill or not.” Eliza had placed her hand lightly on William’s back while he was speaking, hoping she could calm him down a bit; merely to remove it so she could cover a smile when he repeated almost verbatim the same threat she had made earlier.

“Billy, I am your da. Don’t tell me to show respect to your tart when you are disrespecting me also. Doesn’t the good book say to honor your father? You owe me, son; without me you wouldn’t even be here.” The senior Wellington said with a smug look on his face.

William straightened his back “That same book also says do not lie or steal or commit adultery, I believe. I dinnae owe you anything, sir. I owe honor to my mother, who died in the workhouse after you left us to fend for ourselves when I was a wee lad. I also owe honor to a man who stepped up to become the father I never had. He is why I am here today. Not you. This conversation is over. Goodbye, sir. No one else from Scotland Yard will be coming to bother you. The investigation will be closed.”

William turned away from the man in the bed and offered his arm to Eliza. “Miss Scarlet, I believe the investigation is over. Please allow me to escort you back to your office.”

“Thank you, Inspector Wellington. I will gladly accept your escort.” Eliza replied as she took his arm.

Before completely walking away from his father, William turned back to him and said, “Even though you see no wrong with your actions, I will endeavor to forgive you. Goodbye.”

Neither William nor Eliza said anything as they walked out of the workhouse. The silence continued until they came to a small park a few blocks away. Eliza directed William to a bench and they both sat down.

“I am sorry you had to experience that, Eliza, but thank you for going with me. It meant more than you know.” William said, after they had sat down.

After reaching for his hand, Eliza replied, “I am fine, William. Thank you for standing up for me. I’m sorry you had to find out the truth of what he was really like.”

A comfortable silence settled between them, each needing a few moments to be alone with their thoughts. Eliza looks up to see a waning moon in the sky, in the shape of a smile. She shows it to William, who whispers, ‘I see you, mum. Thank you for everything. I will be OK. You taught me well. I love you, mum.”

Chapter Text

A couple of years later

What a day! Scotland Yard’s newest Chief Inspector thought to himself as his carriage took him away from the Yard. He was anxious to put his feet up and indulge in a glass of whisky to help him relax. He had really cut back on the amount of whisky he drank in the last year, despite all the stress that came along with being chief inspector. He had learned some new coping skills that helped him relax far better than whisky ever had.

At the same moment William climbed out of the carriage, the moon decided to peek her face out from behind the cloud where she had been hiding and bright moonlight illuminated his way up the walk. William took a moment to glance up at the moon and whisper a good night to his mum before turning the knob on the red front door.

Walking in the door, he paused and listened for the sounds of his wife, trying to discern where in the house she might be. “Thou silver deity of secret night,” he heard her voice coming down the stairs from the direction of the room they used as their nursery. “Direct my footsteps through the woodland shade.” He removed his shoes and climbed the steps on silent feet, hoping to watch his two favorite people without them knowing.

William stopped short of the door, his glimpse inside showing him what he had most hoped to see. Eliza, his bride, rocking their son in her arms while she read to him about the moon. Liam Henry Wellington had come as a surprise. They had planned on waiting a bit before having children, but apparently fate had different plans.

William sometimes struggled with doubt, feeling like he was walking around in a dream, not deserving of the happiness he had found. He never expected to marry Eliza, much yet have children with her, yet he was looking directly at two of his dearest dreams come true. He inhaled deeply, trying to keep the tears of happiness from leaking down his cheeks while he listened to Eliza finish the poem.

Thou conscious witness of unknown delight,
The Lover's guardian, and the Muse's aid!
By thy pale beams I solitary rove,
To thee my tender grief confide;
Serenely sweet you gild the silent grove,
My friend, my goddess, and my guide.
E'en thee, fair queen, from thy amazing height,
The charms of young Endymion drew;
Veil'd with the mantle of concealing night;
With all thy greatness and thy coldness too.

As Eliza finished, William stepped through the door. “Hello, my dearest, you made it home! Detective Fitzroy stopped by to tell me you would be late. I saved some dinner for you.” She said as she stood on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. She would have drawn back had he not wrapped her and their son in his arms so he could kiss her a bit longer. Liam decided when it ended as his wet hand patted his father on his beard.

“Pa pa pa pa!” The dark-haired, blue eyed boy finished with a squeal as he reached out his hands for his father to hold him.

William backed away from Eliza with a rueful grin as he reached for their son. “Good evening, my dearest boy! Have you been good for your mother today?”

Liam responded with a stream of baby chatter. “Is that so, lad? Let’s give your mum some time to herself while we finish this book and you head off to dreamland.” William walked Liam over to his bed, grabbing a clean clout on the way. After another quick kiss, he said to Eliza, “Go on, love. Take some time for yourself. I’ll change our lad and put him down for the night.”

“Thank you, dearest. I love you! I’ll be waiting for you.”

A clean clout and fresh gown later, William sat down in the rocker with his son and picked up the book Eliza had been reading from: Poems From the Moon. Whenever Eliza spotted a story or poem relating to the moon, she picked up a copy so Liam could know his grandmother through stories shared by his father. Liam was ever so quiet when his parents read to him from this particular book.

The deep timbre of his father’s voice quickly lulled Liam into a deep sleep. William kept rocking for a few extra minutes, enjoying the feel of his young son in his arms. As he rose to place the baby in his bed, William’s stomach rumbled, reminding him that his last meal had been several hours ago. He bounded down the stairs and found the plate Eliza had kept warm for him.

Her cooking skills had greatly improved as the years had passed. Almost everything she made was edible. There were still occasions when he had to settle for bread and cheese for dinner, but these times were growing farther and farther apart. Apparently tonight was one of the nights when he needed to settle for bread and cheese. He did not know what had happened, but tonight’s meal harkened back to Eliza’s early days of cooking.

William finished quickly and destroyed the evidence of what he hadn’t eaten before heading back upstairs to join his wife in their bedroom. He walked in to find her with the lamps down low, her head drooped to the side with her book lying upon her bosom. So taken with this relaxed view of his beloved, he almost forgot where he was walking. He caught himself before he hit his head, but his toe wasn’t so lucky.

His muttered curse woke Eliza. “Dearest, I’m so sorry. I intended to stay awake but I have been so tired the last few days.”

“Go back to sleep, love. I will be here when you wake in the morning. I need to spend some time with my two favorite people before going to the Yard.” William replied as finished changing and sat on the edge of the bed to turn down the lamp. As he laid down and pulled the cover over him, he turned to see Eliza looking at him with a smile upon her face.

“You will soon have three favorite people to spend time with.” She said while placing a hand on her tummy. “Apparently we are making up for lost time and Liam will have a baby brother or sister in about six months.”

“Truly? Wow, I thought we’d been more careful. I know you wanted to wait a bit before having bairns.” William tried to sound apologetic, but the thought of another child in the family made his joy rise higher than the shock.

“Well, there have been several times…” Eliza said with a wink, knowing William would know exactly the times she was talking about. “It will be fine, dearest. We may have to hire a nursemaid, but we will make it. We have made it through many things, and another baby will only bring more happiness to our lives. Come now, put your arms around me so we can sleep. You know how tired and cranky I am when I am increasing.”

“That I do know.” William said as he drew her close to his heart, where she had always been. His moonlit path had led him through some very trying times when he was younger, and there were times when he did not think he would make it. However, every step had been worth the pain as it led him to the place where he now was. And he would not change any of it for anything.