Georgie hesitantly glanced at the floor, half-expecting to see a rat scurrying around. “I understand.”
Turning, Mrs. Hughes started walking down a narrow hall with yellow floral wallpaper. “I hope you don’t mind, but your lady’s maid will be sharing a room with you. I have put a pallet near the wall to accommodate her since we don’t have any extra space.”
Mrs. Hughes stepped into a small room off the hall, and they followed her in. “This is your office,” she said, gesturing about the room. “I know it isn’t much, but we converted this space just for you.”
Georgie’s eyes landed on the desk near a window that looked out into the alley. Empty bookshelves lined one wall, and a lumpy upholstered armchair sat in the corner.
Mrs. Hughes walked behind the desk and picked up a crate. She dropped it onto the desk and announced, “Up until now, Mr. Mason was handling the books for the orphanage, but that will now be your duty.”
“I shall see to it,” Georgie said, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt.
Mrs. Hughes shifted her gaze towards Mrs. Peters. “I understand that you are to be the cook.”
“I am,” Mrs. Peters replied.
“I have never heard of a headmistress bringing her own cook, much less a lady’s maid before,” Mrs. Hughes stated, her voice dripping with disapproval.
Mrs. Peters stepped forward, her voice steady. “My brother assured me that my assistance would be welcomed. Was he wrong to assume so?”
“He was not,” Mrs. Hughes replied. “The girls will be most grateful for something other than the mush I prepare, but I must warn you that you will have limited resources here.”
“You need not concern yourself with that,” Mrs. Peters responded.
Mrs. Hughes forced a smile to her lips. “The girls are attending to their chores at the moment, but you shall meet them tonight at dinner.”
Georgie walked over to the window and looked out. “It isn’t much of a view, but it will have to do.”
Mrs. Hughes dropped into an exaggerated curtsy. “If you will excuse me, I need to see to a few things before I continue the tour,” she said before she departed from the room.
Once they were left alone, Georgie remarked, “I don’t think Mrs. Hughes likes me very much.”
“You aren’t here to make friends,” Mrs. Peters advised. “Your job is to run the orphanage until you reach your majority.”
Georgie smoothed back her brown hair. “Then let’s get to work.”
ChapterThree
Georgie sat in her office as she tried to make sense of the pile of receipts that covered the desk. When she was younger, she used to watch her father as he worked on his ledgers. He had made it look so easy, so effortless. She didn’t even know where to begin.
A lone candle burned on the desk, and she wondered if Charles had learned of her disappearance yet. She feared for the household staff that she’d left behind, since her brother was not a man to be trifled with. It made her appreciate their sacrifice even more. She couldn’t fail them, not now. She would do whatever it took for her to succeed.
A knock came at the door.
“Enter,” she ordered.
The door opened and Mrs. Peters stepped into the room with a man following close behind. “I do hope I am not intruding.”
“Not at all,” Georgie replied. “I could use the interruption.”
Mrs. Peters gestured towards the man. “Allow me to introduce you to my brother, Mr. Aaron Mason.”
Mr. Mason stepped forward and bowed. “It is a pleasure to be meeting you,” he said. “I have heard so much about you over the years that I feel as if we are already acquainted.”
“You have me worried now, Mr. Mason,” Georgie remarked lightly.
“I can assure you that my sister only spoke highly of you.” Mr. Mason removed the satchel draped over his shoulder and placed it on the floor. “Am I safe to assume that you have settled in?”
“I have; now I am just trying to sort through all the paperwork,” she said, waving her hand over the desk.
