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"I dunno, miss. I've only ever helped with washing."
"Yes, but that's women's work, isn't it? We shall have to find you something more fit for a man."
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The boy drew himself up straighter. "Though some think I'm still a child—" he threw a resentful look at his sister "—I'm big enough to do man's work."
"Being a soldier's son, I'm sure you are. 'Tis settled, then. Nell, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thank you again, ma'am. I know what an opportunity you're giving us. You'll not regret it, I promise!"
"Bless you, Miss Lambarth!" Mrs. Smith said softly as Nell, a beaming smile on her face, hurried her brother back to the washtub. "I know you'll be happy with her work."
"You will watch out for Dickon until I send for him?"
Mrs. Smith sighed. "I shall do my best. He is a handful, that one. But I believe I can keep him out of mischief for a week. God
bless you, miss, for helping these poor forgotten babes!"
"Thank you, Mrs. Smith, for caring so much about them."
Touched by the woman's probably thankless efforts on her indigent charges' behalf, Helena impetuously handed the woman the rest of the coins in her purse. "Spend some of this on yourself, now, not just on your children!"
Mrs. Smith's thanks following them, Helena collected Molly and returned to the waiting hackney. Once they were seated within, Molly burst out, "Miss, whatever am I to tell the household when that girl shows up tomorrow?"
"You needn't volunteer where she came from. Just tell them she is someone you know."
Molly gasped. "I couldn't lie to Harrison!"
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"It's not a lie. You met her today."
Molly shook her head, her face still distressed. "Someone's bound to find out. I'll be sacked for sure!"
"No one shall find out," Helena said bracingly. "Nell will work hard and earn everyone's respect. After a few weeks no one will care where she came from."
"If she or that ne'er-do-well of a brother don't rob us blind first."
"If your suspicions prove correct, I will turn them over to the
magistrate without a qualm. If anything untoward does happen, I shall accept full responsibility."
Molly shook her head. "Harrison will still sack me."
Helena grinned at her. "If your worst fears are realized, I shall hire you back myself. Now, here is another guinea to soothe your worry with ices at Gunter's."
After a moment's hesitation, Molly took the coin. "Iff'n I do get sacked, Ma would say I'd be better off going to the workhouse myself than taking that job. You be the most unusual lady I've ever met, and that's the truth."
If you only knew, Helena thought ruefully, watching the Marylebone workhouse fade from view as the carriage headed back toward Mayfair.
CHAPTER 9
Three weeks later, in great good humor, Adam ran up the front steps of the Darnell town house and swept inside, tossing his coat, hat and cane to the butler.
"Are the ladies at home?" he asked Harrison.
"They just returned from their afternoon calls."
"Would you have them join me in the Green Salon? At once, please."
Harrison didn't flicker an eye at the unusual summons. "Yes,
my lord. Should I send refreshment?"
"Have James bring up a bottle of Papa's best claret. And Harrison," Adam continued, grinning as he placed a gold coin in the butler's hand, "you may wish me happy."
Harrison permitted himself a small smile. "Excellent, my lord.
Allow me to convey my own and the staff's best wishes to you and Miss Standish."
Adam trotted up the stairs to the parlor chuckling at Harrison's congratulations. Trust one's servants to know everything that was going on without one's having to utter a word, though given the time he'd spent calling on Miss Standish, Harrison's surmise was hardly a wild guess. However, his steward's additional 113
demands for funds to cover the repairs at Claygate having spurred Adam to suppress his initial misgivings and conclude his courtship with unusual speed, he expected his news would elicit a bit more surprise from the ladies.
As he went from the landing into the hallway, he caught a glimpse of a tall, dark-haired figure disappearing around the corner. Probably his stepmother's ward, he thought, though the girl vanished before he got a good enough look to be sure. Come to think of it, he'd still not seen Miss Lambarth since the night he'd brought her home. He felt an illogical sense of disappointment at having missed her once again.
He'd seen evidence of her presence, though, in the library, where Harrison told him she spent a great deal of time. She'd added a thick Aubusson rag in front of the sofa by the fire. He grinned as he remembered their conversation in the lawyer's
office, wondering if she kept the fire in her chamber hot enough to curl the wallpaper.
True to Lady Darnell's word, his stepmother had handled every detail of Miss Lambarth's care, sparing him having to make any decisions about her and keeping the herds of tradesmen his valet complained about from inconveniencing him, for which he was most grateful. Not that he'd spent much time at home to be inconvenienced.
He entered the parlor, poured himself a celebratory brandy and downed a bracing sip. He trusted Lady Darnell had made her cousin's child feel welcome— and hoped she'd made progress in schooling the girl on
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how to behave in Society. Since Priscilla was to become his wife, Adam should introduce Miss Lambarth to his fiancée.
Indeed, the girl ought to be present when Lady Darnell invited the Standish family to dine, as she was certain to do once she'd heard his announcement.
A moment later Charis hurried in, Lady Darnell on her heels.
"What is it, Adam?" his stepmother cried, an anxious expression on her face. "Is something amiss?"
"On the contrary, everything is excellent! Please sit, ladies. I know you will be relieved to learn that the.. .troubling times we've suffered since Papa's death are at an end. An hour ago I proposed to Priscilla Standish and was accepted. I hope you will wish us both happy."
Lady Darnell's frown dissolved into a smile. "Adam, you sly dog!" she exclaimed, coming over to give him a hug. "I'd heard
from my friends that you had an interest there, but being so preoccupied with Helena and with the Season just begun, I had no idea you meant to move so quickly!"
"Why impose some artificial delay? Priscilla assured me she has had her fill of being courted as one of society's leading Belles and is as eager as I to formalize our engagement. And though I'm sure there are any number of excellent young ladies making their bows this year, I've no interest in a chit straight out of the schoolroom."
The footman's arrival with the wine halted conversation while the bottle was opened and poured. Holding up his glass, Adam said, "To Priscilla
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Standish! A lovely, accomplished young lady whom I hold in the highest regard and affection. May she make me as excellent a wife as I shall earnestly endeavor to make her a husband."
After his sister and stepmother had answered his toast, Adam continued, "I hope you will both welcome Priscilla to the family with as much warmth as I trust she will soon extend to you."
Nothing that though his stepmother was beaming at him, Charis looked pensive, Adam extended an arm. "I'd have a hug from you, too, sister!"
She smiled then and came over to embrace him. "Miss Standish is very rich, isn't she, Adam?"
He kissed the hand he still held. "Yes, sweeting, although I hope you don't think so poorly of me as to hint that I proposed to
her only for that reason."
"Of course not. I know you were friends when I was still in the nursery," she said.
"Yes, and a merrier-spirited little girl you could scarcely imagine. The scrapes I led her into! You were too small to remember them, I suppose."
"I didn't meet her until the beginning of this Season. She...she doesn't seem very lively now," Charis observed.
"Naturally she is upon her best behavior when she goes about in Society—as I expect you to be!" he said, a niggle of unease troubling him at his sister's lack of enthusiasm.
Lady Darnell intervened with the observation that she must give a dinner so that the families might become better acquainted before the ball Miss
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Standish's parents would doubtless host in honor of their engagement. After a discussion of possible dates, Lady Darnell excused herself, leaving the siblings alone.
Wishing to dispel his lingering uneasiness, Adam said, "I'm a bit disappointed that you aren't more enthusiastic about my news.
You mustn't worry that my taking a wife will distance you from my affections! Your welfare will ever be one of my primary concerns. Indeed, my settling my future so early in the Season frees you to enjoy your own. Though your dowry still won't be what I would wish it, you may concern yourself solely with judging a suitor's character, without concern for the size of his
purse."
"As you could not?" Charis asked bluntly.
"You mustn't think that!" Adam returned. "True, 'tis important to the restoration of Claygate that my bride be wealthy, but truly Priscilla is the choice of my heart."
"Is she? How can you be sure, with the Season scarcely begun and you having played no part in Society since you joined Wellington years ago? There might be.. .other ladies in London who are rich, accomplished and attractive. Some fascinating lady who would completely enthrall you. For excuse me, dearest brother, but when you speak of 'regard' and 'affection' I cannot believe your heart is truly engaged."
