“Miss Rangaswamy’s young charge has been kidnapped off the East India Docks, and the person she was to see once she arrived in London is out of the city. Under the circumstances, and knowing Lady Branstoke, I felt this was the safest place for her. I would appreciate your cooperation,” he said in his most repressive tone, the one he typically reserved for supercilious merchants who thought to cheat the company because they knew the company was now owned by a woman.
Mrs. Dunstan, the housekeeper, peeked around Charwood’s broad frame.
“Of course, Mr. Thornbridge,” Mrs. Dunstan enthused on identifying him. The middle-aged housekeeper, though of slight frame, shouldered past the broad-shouldered butler to beckon them inside. “Do come in, both of you. It is too cold outside at this time of night to be dickering on the steps.”
Charwood harrumphed and reluctantly moved aside for them to enter.
David found Mrs. Dunstan’s reception surprising, but welcoming. She and Charwood were often at odds for their dignities and position in the household. Typically, she was the skeptical, foreboding person. It was gratifying to see the reverse, as Miss Rangaswamy needed kindness.
They stepped into the kitchen. With the thick exterior door closed behind them, they immediately felt the room’s warmth and smelled food cooking on the cast iron stove set into a gigantic fireplace. David saw Rani momentarily close her eyes and a small smile touch the corners of her lips. A deep breath expelled on a sigh between her lips. She shrugged out of David’s coat and handed it back to him.
“Thank you, sir,” she said in a whisper. She gracefully removed the pallu from over her head and draped it around her shoulders.
Charwood looked her up and down, sneered, and looked away.
“Oh, my gracious! Is that all you have for clothing?” Mrs. Dunstan exclaimed at seeing Rani’s exotic saree. “You must be frozen, despite Mr. Thornbridge’s coat. Do you have anything else to wear, you poor thing?”
Rani sighed and shook her head. “No, ma’am,” she said. “I have money from Sahib to buy English clothes. Everything I have is like what I wear now. Mr. Thornbridge, he have our luggage put away to keep safe.”
Mrs. Dunstan looked at David.
“This Sahib she speaks of is her employer in India, Owen Sedgewick, the Earl of Soothcoor’s brother.”
“Soothcoor?” Charwood said, his head coming up to stare at Rani.
“Yes, Miss Rangaswamy brought Soothcoor’s nephew to England to live with Soothcoor. The child was stolen off the dock this morning,” David grimly told them.
Mrs. Dunstan raised a hand to her lips as her eyes widened and she bit back an exclamation.
Charwood swore viciously.
“Of course, you must stay here!” Mrs. Dunstan said, “And you must be starving!” She turned toward the large fireplace with its built-in ovens and cast-iron stove. “I have a stew on the stove now. Let me just add a few more vegetables, and while they are cooking, we shall find something of madam’s you can wear.”
“What? Never!” Charwood exclaimed.
“What is it now, Mr. Charwood?” Mrs. Dunstan demanded, arms akimbo, as she faced him down. “I don’t understand what has gotten into you. What is your issue?”
“You would give this—thisforeignerher ladyship’s clothes?”
Mrs. Dunstan tilted her head quizzically. “And why not? Why is it even a question? I’ll own I have not always agreed with those Sir James and Lady Branstoke have brought to the house; however, I have learned to trust our employers—and Mr. Thornbridge. And so should you.”
“Yes, but this woman—”
Rani stepped back, closer to David.
David touched her arms to reassure her. He felt Mrs. Dunstan had the upper hand and felt no reason to abut the discussion. He rather enjoyed it.
“There is noBut, Mr. Charwood,” Mrs. Dunstan ringingly declared. “You forget yourself. For one,” she held up one finger, “the Earl of Soothcoor is a good friend to Sir James and my lady. And second,” a second finger went up, “Lady Branstoke does not hold with herself or anyone else being better than another,” she said sharply, shaking a finger at him. “Now, dinner,” she said, as she pulled out a couple of potatoes and carrots from the larder. She fetched a knife from a sideboard.
“Here, peel these and add them to the pot while I tend to Miss Rangaswamy.” She thrust the knife and vegetables into Charwood’s hands.
“No! How dare you suggest that!” Charwood protested, fumbling to hold the vegetables and knife at the same time.
David laughed. “I’ll help you, Charwood. My father made me peel vegetables many a time as a punishment for one youthful misdeed or another. I believe I still know how to do that. I admit I am famished, and I should like to see Miss Rangaswamy settled.” He crossed to the sideboard and retrieved another knife.
“On your way, Mrs. Dunstan. We have things in hand here,” David said, waving her off with the tip of the knife.
He looked at Rani. “Go with Mrs. Dunstan, Miss Rangaswamy,” he gently said. “As I told you earlier, you will do Krishan no good if you should take a chill. Warmer clothes and a hot meal are what you need right now.”
