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“A grandmama’s prerogative,” Lady Caire said, apparently having heard. “Now, then. I wonder if we might discuss the apprenticeship of the girls of the home.” She glanced at Megs. “The number of children at the home has increased in the last year. Presently we have …”
“Four and fifty children,” Isabel Makepeace supplied the number. “Two new girls were brought in just last night.”
Lady Caire nodded. “Thank you, Mrs. Makepeace. We are pleased that the home is able to help so many children now, but it seems that we have had some difficulties in placing the children—particularly the girls—properly.”
“But surely there is no lack of maidservant positions in London,” Lady Penelope said.
“Actually, there is,” Temperance replied. “At least maidservant positions in respectable houses where the girls are treated properly and given some type of training.”
Isabel leaned forward to pour some more tea in her dish. “Just last week we took back a girl whose position proved to be unfortunate.”
Megs raised her eyebrows. “Unfortunate?”
“The mistress of the house saw fit to beat the girl with a hairbrush,” Lady Caire said grimly.
“Oh.” Megs felt horror sweep through her, and then an idea. “But I’m in need of maidservants.”
The rest of the ladies looked at her.
“Indeed?” Lady Caire asked.
“Oh, yes,” Sarah said, joining the conversation for the first time. “It seems my brother has been reduced to one manservant at Saint House.”
“Good Lord.” Temperance frowned worriedly. “I’m sure Caire has no idea that Mr. St. John was in such straits.”
“Well, the straits weren’t financial.” Sarah sent her an ironic glance. “Godric can certainly afford any number of servants—he simply didn’t bother to hire new ones.”
“Eh?” Great-Aunt Elvina leaned toward Sarah.
Sarah turned toward her and said distinctly, “I doubt it occurred to my brother that he needed more servants.”
“Men are absentminded in such matters.” Great-Aunt Elvina shook her head disapprovingly.
“Quite,” Lady Caire said. “But having been appraised of his—and your—difficulties, Lady Margaret, we will naturally help. I’m sure we have several girls ready to be apprenticed out?” She glanced at Isabel.
“At least four,” Isabel said. “But they are all under the age of twelve and will need strict supervision and tutelage as to their duties.”
“As to that,” Lady Caire said, “I can recommend a housekeeper of very good repute, manners, and intelligence.”
“Thank you.” Megs had always thought Lady Caire a bit austere, but it seemed she could be kind as well. And Megs was very grateful. In one swoop she already had a housekeeper and maids for Saint House.
Lady Caire inclined her head. “I’ll send her around this evening if that suits you?”
“Oh, yes.” Megs felt a touch at her knee and looked down.
Annalise had one hand braced on her lap as she squatted to look under the chair Megs sat on. From beneath came a faint whine.
Her Grace had been discovered.
Annalise chortled and for a moment glanced up at Megs, tiny, perfect teeth showing in a delighted grin. And Megs’s breath froze in her throat. This. This was what she wanted with all her soul, all her heart. A baby of her own.
Last night her courage had failed her, but she wouldn’t let that happen tonight.
Tonight she would seduce her husband.
BUT HOW, EXACTLY, did one go about seducing a husband one hardly knew? That was the question Megs pondered all that afternoon and evening as she set about ordering Saint House. This morning’s efforts had been … less than successful. Perhaps she should alert him somehow? Send a note perhaps? Dear sir, I would be much obliged if you would consent to consummate our marriage. Yours very truly, your wife.
“If that would agree with you, my lady?”
