None that they need know about.

"It has been requested of me to keep my peace, with regards to others' relationships, and I intend to do just that," I swallowed stiffly, holding firm against her gaze. She narrowed her eyes at me, as if studying me, seeing if I were lying, or at the very least, not being wholly honest. It was only when Ms. Fraye put her hand upon hers, that she withdrew her ire.

Leaning back in her seat, she let out a long sigh. "Very well then. Ask your questions."

I cleared my throat loudly and decided to cut to it. "As you wish. If I may be so blunt as to get to the heart of it, why do you prefer each other's company, over a man's?"

Ms. Loome scoffed loudly and turned her nose up at me, while Ms. Fraye shook her head. "Well it is just as you say, Mr. McKay," she said, patting her partner's knee. "It is simply a matter of heart. Lord knows we've tried, or at least I have, in the past to... respond to a man's courting, but we could not endure it. And not for lack of trying on my part. I wanted to see them as my spouse, but no matter how hard they and I tried, I just could not hide my disdain for them."

"'Disdain'? That is quite the Word, Ms. Fraye," I replied, not intending to mock her Vocabulary. Merely to be sure of her Selection. "And what about your good self, Ms. Loome? Do you also share such disdain for the opposite sex?"

She scoffed again before turning to me. "That would not be the Word of my choosing, Mr. Mckay," she said with a hiss. "My father was an angry Drunk, and when he was in one of his moods, he would strike my mother. Hard, and often. But, as a Dutiful Wife, she bore it, all black and blue. And when it came to the matter of my Marriage, I had the... good Fortune to know of whom my father had chosen, the smith's recently widower-ed son. Another angry Drunk." She took a deep breath, and I could almost hear her teeth grinding as she spoke. "Do you know when they had come to that agreement, Mr. McKay?"

I admitted that I did not.

"The day after his wife's Funeral," she answered, tears beginning to form at her eyes, though her frown was deep. "Sarah had not even gone cold, and I had been sold off to replace her." Ms. Fraye brought forward a handkerchief, and Ms. Loome accepted it. I kept silent. Collecting herself, Ms. Loome dabbed the kerchief at her eyes, and spoke again, this time with conviction. "I was not one for that. I took what Money I had, my Needles, and took the first Carriage away, never to return. That is when I heard of Mr. Gottlieb's experiment. This place."

"I see. It is... unfortunate that such was your lot as being born a woman. I do not say that to sound rude, but that is... the best way I can put it now," I said, hanging my head. Seeing their discomfort grow, I cleared my throat, "Well, I think I've heard all I need to today. If I have any further questions, I shall ask them when I come to collect my clothes. Good afternoon ladies. And thank you for the tea."

But, as I stood, I noticed a look pass between them. "Mr. McKay, wait." Ms. Fraye said, chewing upon her lip and swallowing quite nervously. "There is... there is something else you need to know."