Her guest remained standing, but Marianna didn’t press her. Instead, she tentatively asked, “And have you found another situation? I awaited word from you, or request for a character reference, but nothing ever came.”
Hannah nodded. “I have another place, or did, until recently.”
“Oh?” Hope rising, Marianna asked, “Are you not engaged at present?”
“No.”
Marianna rose and took the young woman’s hand. “Again, I say, what timing. For I am in dire need of a traveling companion.”
“Traveling companion?”
“Yes. Sir John insists on uprooting us again. Just when I have begun to appreciate Bath society. But he will not yield, and so off we go.” She laughed in artificial gaiety. “Say you will come with me as my companion. He won’t even let me take my lady’s maid. He’s already dismissed her.”
He would probably refuse to allow Miss Rogers to go with them as well, Marianna knew, but she had to try.
Hannah shook her head. “I couldn’t leave Bath, my lady. Not now.”
“You must! I shall ... double your allowance to convince you. If Sir John does not agree, I shall use my own money.”
Hannah hesitated, then faltered, “I ... I don’t even know where you are going.”
“Nor do I! He won’t even tell his own wife where we are bound. Isn’t that a laugh? Thinks I’ll tell a certain someone, which of course I would.”
Again Hannah shook her head. “I couldn’t leave at present. I have family here—”
“Your father lives in Bristol,” Marianna reminded her. “And you left him when we moved here.”
“Yes, but ... that was different.”
“Oh, I don’t imagine it will be so much different,” Marianna said breezily. “I doubt we shall go far. The last time we only moved from Bristol to Bath—as though a mere dozen miles would keep us apart.”
She knew the younger woman would understand the reference to her first love, whom Miss Rogers had met on several occasions.
Still Hannah hesitated. “I don’t know....”
“Oh, do come, Hannah. It won’t be forever. If you don’t like the place, or need to return to your family, you will be free to leave. You left before, after all, when it suited you.” Marianna smiled to soften the words—jab and assurance rolled into one.
She continued, “I really can’t bear this alone. Traveling with Sir John to some unknown place. No comforting presence between us. No familiar, friendly faces. He insists we hire all new servants when we arrive. We are not to take Hopkins or even Mr. Ward.”
As if on cue, the door opened and her husband’s secretary entered. She noticed Hannah stiffen.
“Ah, Mr. Ward. You remember Hannah Rogers, I trust?”
The thin man with thinner hair and pockmarked skin turned expressionless eyes her way. “Yes, m’lady. Left without notice, as I recall.”
“Yes, well, no matter. She has come for her allowance, which she is owed fairly, so no argument, if you please.”
His eyes glinted with displeasure or perhaps rebellion. “Yes, m’lady. Hopkins did inform me.” He turned to Miss Rogers. “I’ve taken a penalty from yourallowance,” he began in patronizing fashion, “for leaving without proper notice, along with the eleven days you missed that quarter. Here is the remainder.”
Miss Rogers gingerly extended her palm, head bowed like a beggar. The man dropped several sovereigns and shillings onto her outstretched hand, smirking all the while.
“Thank you,” Hannah mumbled.
He turned without a word and quit the room.
Watching him go, Marianna shivered. “I cannot say I am sorry to leave him behind. Odious man. He is returning to Bristol to oversee Sir John’s interests there.”
Hannah glanced down at the coins in her hand. “I’m grateful for the offer, my lady. I am. But I ... need to think about it.”
