“We shall have to do some sewing and shopping,” the housekeeper said. “Get this lad a few new things. I’ve taken the libertyof bringing over my old cradle I’d stored away in the cottage I share with my sister. No doubt you’ll want to get something finer, but for now...”
“I am sure it will do perfectly well, Mrs. Turrill. Thank you so much.” She was glad the housekeeper did not press her about why they had neither brought more supplies nor asked them to prepare a nursery before their arrival. Apparently the kind woman assumed Sir John’s decision to bring no servants also explained why they had brought no furnishings and scant clothing for the child. How strange and thoughtless she must think them.
While the kitchen maid dumped the water, the other women went upstairs to the small room Mrs. Turrill had begun fitting out as a nursery. There, she had arranged the cradle, along with a side table, dressing chest, and rocking chair. She asked Ben to help her carry in a single bed for Becky. White lace curtains and a cheerful braided rug brightened the room.
“It’s lovely, Mrs. Turrill. Thank you.”
“Becky, why don’t you put your things in this dressing chest as well. Or if you prefer, we can bring in another from one of the other rooms.”
Becky shook her head, saying timidly, “That’s all right. I don’t want to be no trouble.”
“No trouble at all, Becky. This room is yours and Danny’s now. Or, if you’d like your own room, there is a spare one just next door.”
“A whole room, just for me? Oh no. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.”
Again, Hannah found the housekeeper studying Becky. She then shifted her gaze to Hannah, her brows high with questions.
Hannah ignored them.
Once they had put away Danny’s few things, Mrs. Turrill asked Becky to run downstairs to fill the pitcher for the basin. When the girl had hurried from the room to do her bidding, thewoman turned to Hannah and asked, “My lady, I am curious. A girl like Becky. Sweet to be sure but a little ... well, simple. Lost. How is it you came to engage her as Danny’s nurse?”
Hannah’s pulse quickened. Though living a lie, she hated each falsehood she uttered. What could she say that was truthful without mentioning the maternity home? Recollecting the haunted look on Becky’s face when she found her in the alley, Hannah swallowed and said, “Becky needed us ... needed Danny ... as much as we needed her.”
Mrs. Turrill considered her reply, expression somber. “Her wee one died, is that it?”
Hannah nodded.
“I know how devastating that is. A boy, was it, or...?”
“A little girl.”
The housekeeper slowly shook her head. “She’s barely more than a girl herself. I’m surprised her family could part with her.”
“She hasn’t any family that I know of. I believe she is all alone in the world.”
Mrs. Turrill’s dark eyes misted. “Well, she is not alone any longer.”
Late that afternoon, Hannah ate a simple meal in the dining parlor alone. She had offered to eat her meals in the small servants’ hall with the others, but Mrs. Turrill would not hear of it.
Afterward, Hannah went upstairs and kept Becky company while she nursed Danny. When the girl began repositioning her dress, Hannah rose and gently took Danny from her.
“You go to bed, Becky. I’ll rock Danny until he falls asleep.”
“But I’m the nurse; I’m to do that. Mrs. Turrill says I need to learn the duties of a proper wet nurse.”
“And you shall. But tonight you look ready to drop from exhaustion. You go to bed and get some rest.”
Becky complied. While Hannah gingerly gathered Danny in her good arm and settled into the rocking chair, Beckystripped down to her threadbare shift and climbed into bed. Hannah resolved to provide Becky with a nightdress as soon as she could.
Pulling the bedclothes up to her chin, Becky said wistfully, “Mrs. Turrill is nice, ain’t she?”
“Yes. Very.”
“It’s strange to hear her call you ‘my lady’ or ‘Lady Mayfield.’”
Hannah quickly glanced toward the door, then whispered, “Becky, you mustn’t speak of it, remember. That is my name here. You must also call me ‘my lady’ or ‘ma’am.’”
Becky sighed. “I’ll try, Miss Hannah.” She closed her eyes and said no more.
