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Thankful for his kindness and the assurance that she had a safe place for another few days, Verity nodded. She found a chair by the fireplace and drew a small table to her side, then looked around, feeling the need to check whether Dirk was present, but thankfully he was nowhere to be seen.
It wasn’t long before a round little woman came cheerfully to her with a tray of scones, tea and more, covered with a cloth. Verity smelled kippers and something else tantalising as well.
“Good day, Mrs. Millwood. My name is Sarah Jeffries, I’m Miles’ wife. I hope you enjoy your breakfast.”
Given that it was his wife who had brought the food to her, rather than a maid, Verity was certain that Jeffries hoped that Sarah could get more information from this mysterious woman who was married, yet travelling alone. She smiled at the thought – she had never set out to appear as a mystery!
“Thank you, Mrs. Jeffries. I’m certain I will.”
Sarah Jeffries sat down on the other side of the small table.
“Well now Mrs. Millwood, I hear you will be staying on. Would you be rearranging your travel to pause for a long time then?”
“It was rearranged for me, I fear. I’m a bit in a daze at the moment.”
“That sounds serious. What can I do to help?”
The words were spoken with such kindness and the woman’s eyes were so honest, that Verity couldn’t help but release a sigh and relate a bit of her story. By the time she had finished the breakfast and tea, Sarah had coaxed most of the details from her.
“You poor dear,” Sarah said, patting the younger woman’s hand where it rested on the table. “You married a young man — a Baron’s heir — and knew him only for a brief time. Quite the tragic story. Were you very much in love with him — and he with you?”
“I thought so,” Verity replied, “yet I still do not understand why Edward waited until only two days before our wedding to reveal to me that he had purchased a commission, and that he would be leaving within a matter of weeks to fight in the Peninsular War. I was to move from the cottage provided us by Lady Chittendom, for whom I was already employed as governess for her children, into rooms in Chittendom Park’s great house.”
“And your husband was killed?”
“Not quite two months after we were married, I received a message informing me that Edward had died in battle.”
“And your parents — did they support you in your time of need?”
“Unfortunately, no,” said Verity. “My father, the Earl of Ainsley, was still very angry that I had not only taken a position as a governess, rather than manage his household after my mother passed, but had also married ‘beneath me’. He thought such actions had brought shame upon the family.”
“But what about your husband’s family?”
“Not long after Edward’s death I received a letter from his mother, Lady Wexley, inviting me to come to live at Wexley House. In my reply I gratefully accepted her offer, and I set about readying myself for the move. I resigned my position, packed my trunks and arranged transportation to Wexley House.”
Sarah gave her an understanding nod.
“So, you are on your way there now.”
“I thought so, yet just last night I received a letter from Wexley House which forbade me to come.”
She reached into her reticule and retrieved the note, which she handed to her companion.
After reading the message intently, Sarah handed it back.
“That makes no sense,” she said, her voice trailing off.
“I agree – but nonetheless, I feel that I must comply with the request. I have some decisions which I must make. I have enough for lodging and food for now, Mrs. Jeffries. Just a great deal of uncertainty about how long my meagre resources will last while remaining here. And I must seek another governess position as soon as possible. I know that my position with Lady Chittendom has been filled by now.”
An involuntary tear slid down her pale cheek.
Chapter Three
Sarah’s mind had been churning as she listened to the lovely widow’s sad tale.
A compassionate person at heart, she suddenly found an idea forming in her head.
“Please call me Sarah,” she said. “Might I take this tray away? I’d be happy to bring more tea if you’d like it. You need time to collect yourself.” Making direct eye contact with Mrs Millwood, she continued, “I’ll be back to see to your needs in a little time. I’m sure that all will be well in the end.”
