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“My mother and father put me out when they found out I was with child,” she said in a whisper. “When they learned his father did not intend to claim him, I was ruined. You see, I do know that lords can be bad. I do know that they will always find a way to clear their own name and never look back at those of us that fall beneath their notice.”
“His father was gentry?” Marilee asked with bated breath.
Peggy nodded. “I thought he loved me, and I was daft enough to think that anything would come of it even if he did. His parents were furious; threatened to disown him. He was married shortly thereafter to a smart little thing, the daughter of a well-to-do merchant whose dowry resolved all of his father’s debts. He would never claim his son, that much was made very clear when he told my father that I was nothing more than a common whore and any man in the village could very well be the father of my child.” Peggy’s voice caught on the words. “How can one prove that they’ve only ever been with one man?”
“That is terrible,” Marilee gasped and gritted her teeth.
Peggy only shrugged one shoulder. “As you said, that is the way of things. Still, I need to find my son. I couldn’t care less about his father, but I will do anything to get Adam back.”
“You do not know where he is?”
Peggy winced. “I walked for weeks on foot until I came to the little town of Halthaven. It is a small village on the edge of a forest. I’m sure it is forgotten by time. I’m not even sure I could find it again. It was from there I was directed to Halthurst Abbey with the assurances that the nuns would care for me.”
“And they did?” Marilee asked.
Peggy nodded remembering. It was a peaceful place, and Sister Beatrice, the Abbess, was certainly a saint to take me in. It was there that I birthed the babe and there, they let me stay while I attempted to make something of myself.
“I had already been educated in reading and writing and the nuns thought I might be suited for a profession, but nothing came of it. Who would want a unwed mother teaching their children? So I practiced for several years under a local seamstress, but had no talent or eye for the art.
“The local village did not want me around, a young, unwed mother, so the abbess convinced me to travel to Kent to learn washing techniques. The convent’s old laundress had passed, and they needed a replacement. I had much to repay the good nuns, so I went.
“It was only meant to be a few months. The sisters offered to care for my son until my return. I was on my way back from Kent when I was taken. I’ve been here ever since.”
“Could your son still be at this Halthurst Abbey?” Marilee wondered but when Peggy’s face fell, she knew that she too doubted they had held the child for so many years.
“I would suspect that they thought I had abandoned him when I never returned from Kent, nor returned for him all these years.” Peggy’s features were crestfallen and Marilee’s heart broke for her friend. “Perhaps they thought I had meant to take advantage, use their charity to train myself up in a profession and start anew? I cannot say what they would have done with him. I had no job; no prospects. All I can hope is that he has lived a happy life, well-loved and cared for.”
“The abbess would have made sure of that,” Marilee offered.
“One would hope,” Peggy replied. Her eyes had again taken on that faraway look as if she was seeing into a world that was gone. “Yet, they are given so many unwanted children each year, many just dropped off in baskets. I cannot think that all would meet a happy end.”
Marilee was well aware that orphans were often given out as extra hands in the field or laborers to families in need. It could be a hard life, and the orphans were not always happy or well-fed, but if he was alive, there was hope. She threw her arms around Peggy’s shoulders and pulled her tight. It seemed that everyone had their own trials and tribulations. Marilee found herself wondering about the burdens that the other maids might carry. She had never suspected that Peggy, so pleasant and hard-working, had been hefting such a burden. The love of a mother was beyond all else. She vowed Peggy would see her son again. She did not know how or when, but the laundress had lasted four years in this hell-hole. It could not have been for naught. Marilee would not believe it so.
Peggy took Marilee’s promise to heart. She wiped at her eyes and nose, and then straightened as if the action had helped her to collect herself. “So, we will help Mr. Crowley if we can, but we must have care. I do feel that he can be trusted, but I have been wrong before…trusting the wrong man.”
“Then we are in agreement,” Marilee said with a firm nod.
CHAPTER9
Mr. Crowley arrived later that evening to inspect Marilee’s wounds. Mrs. Cavendish, displeased at the prospect of having the man snooping around her house, had taken to hovering in the corridor like a fox determined to guard its den.
“I’m afraid the infection has worsened,” he said loud enough for the housekeeper to hear.
“Are you certain?” Marilee worried. “It feels much better already.” How could the infection have worsened when even Peggy had said that the wounds had closed and stopped weeping?
She felt a gentle pressure against her upper arm, all the warning she had that he was spinning a tale before Mrs. Cavendish burst into the room, demanding to know when Kate could return to her duties. Her tone of disgust revealed that she thought the maid weak for not having recovered a moment after the injury. Marilee realized that Mr. Crowley had purposefully placed her with her front to the door so that the housekeeper could make no evaluation for herself.
“She can return to her tasks at once,” he replied sharply to satisfy the grumbling woman. “But I will have need to continue to monitor the progress so that she does not slip back into a useless state. The wounds must be kept clean or the poison could go into the blood. Who knows what the chit might say with her mind gone in fever?”
Lud, the man was sly, Marilee thought as she fought to suppress a grin. Peggy, less skilled at the deception had to turn to the wall and pretend to busy herself with sorting the wash.
“If you say so,” Mrs. Cavendish snapped. “But do make sure she remains up to snuff. I have little tolerance for servants who lounge about as if their day ought be filled with nothing but leisure.”
Marilee wanted to throw something at the woman. She had not done this to herself. She had not made some silly misstep and had an accident. No, Mrs. Cavendish’s goons had caused the hurt, and she would not let the woman chide her for her recovery. Again, the pressure on her arm, ever so slight, reminded her of the need to maintain their ruse. She took a steadying breath and calmed herself.
“I shall be well enough in Mr. Crowley’s care,” Marilee replied with her head bowed to the beast of a woman.
“You are lucky milady has demanded we allow it, girl,” the housekeeper snarled. “If it were up to me, I’d have none of this coddling.”
