Miss Lloyd tilted her chin. “I can assure you that it would be a mistake to fire him.”
“And why is that?” he asked, uninterested.
“We are a school comprised of women,” she said. “Do you not think it would be beneficial to have a man reside with us?”
“Do you truly think a butler could protect you from ruffians?”
“It is better than nothing.”
“Your notion is ridiculous, and I don’t have time for this,” William said. “You will do as I say, or I will dismiss you.”
“So be it.”
“Surely you cannot be in earnest?” William scoffed. “You would risk your employment, your livelihood, for this butler?”
“I would, gladly.”
William stared at her in astonishment. He had to admit that his respect for her grew slightly. No one dared to stand up to him, and it was clear by the stubborn tilt of her chin that Miss Lloyd was not going to back down.
Now he had a problem.
His solicitor had searched far and wide for a lady to work at the orphanage and now he had one, albeit an obstinate one. Did he dare fire her and hope that his solicitor could find another lady to fill the position?
Botheration. He knew it would be in the orphanage’s best interest to keep Miss Lloyd on as the headmistress for now, no matter how much he wanted to dismiss her.
William took a step back. “Perhaps I may have been too hasty,” he relented. “You may keep Wilson on as butler, assuming he will continue to work for room and board.”
“That is most generous of you,” Miss Lloyd acknowledged.
“We have much to discuss,” William said, gesturing towards her chair. “It might be best if you take a seat.”
Miss Lloyd lowered herself on her chair, her back rigid.
William retrieved the chair in the corner and placed it in front of the desk. As he sat down, he said, “I’m afraid I know very little about you other than you are in mourning for your father.” He paused, perusing her black gown. “My condolences.”
Miss Lloyd gave him a weak smile. “He passed a few months ago, and I must admit that I miss him dearly.”
“I understand that feeling well, since my mother died only a year ago.” Why had he just shared that piece of information with someone who was practically a stranger to him?
Miss Lloyd murmured her condolences.
William leaned back in his seat and asked, “Do you not have any other family to care for you?”
Miss Lloyd’s eyes grew guarded. “I do not,” she replied. “I am very much alone in this world.”
“But you do have staff members that are loyal to you.”
“I am most fortunate for that.”
“That tells me a lot about you,” William said. “It informs me that you are fair in your treatment of your staff.”
“My mother taught me to be kind and gracious to those around me, especially the people who serve us.”
William glanced down at the ledger that was open on her desk. “Do you know anything about running an orphanage?”
“I do not.” In the next breath, she added, “But I am a quick learner.”
“My mother was adamant that a lady run this orphanage,” William shared. “She felt that it would give the girls an advantage when they sought out employment.”
