“Yes, she got help from the Vicarage, where Mrs. Thomas, the Vicar’s wife, gives lessons to children now and again. Jane was very smart, learned real quick, and Mrs. Thomas took a bit of extra time with the girl. So when Lady Tymball-Sale put about that she was lookin’ fer maids, Jane applied and before we knew it, she was off down south. Got to be next-in-line to the Lady’s maid, too.”
“How wonderful,” encouraged Adalyn.
“It was. Made us all proud. But then they had this party over the Christmas season. Lot of guests down from London, bit of shootin’, I heard, lot of gamblin’, yer probably knows the kind of things I mean.”
Adalyn, who hadn’t a clue, nodded.
“And of course there was this one chap who fancied our Jane.”
“Oh dear.” Adalyn’s heart dropped to her shoes. “Let me guess. Jane refused his advances.”
“That she did, fer I’ve brought her up to be a good girl. But himself was the valet to a hoity-toity gentleman of theTon, and this lad fancied himself every bit as good. Thought he could have whatever he wanted, includin’ Jane. When she said no…one night in the kitchen when they were alone…well, a pot of hot water got involved.”
“Dear Lord.” Adalyn’s breath froze. “He threw it at her?”
“Sort of,” said Mrs. Barnsley, her voice choked. “She grabbed it, see, because he was having a go at her and she’d no way to hold him off. As she tells it, he managed to knock her arm crooked and it came back on her…”
Adalyn was silent, unable to imagine the pain, but well able to imagine Jane’s fear.
“How long ago?”
“Couple of months now.” Mrs. Barnsley sighed. “The family took care of the worst of it, to hush it up and keep it out of the papers, I suppose. But once she’d healed enough to get about, she got her two weeks’ notice and out she went.”
“That’s just…awful.”
“Yes it is. And they knew it. Gave her four extra weeks pay, they did. And I hope it eased their conscience because it didn’t make us a mite more inclined to view them any better.” Her lips curled into a sneer. “Bought my girl off, they did. Or tried to.”
“I am so sorry to hear all this, Mrs. B.” Adalyn laid a hand on the blanket. “But I’m glad Jane is safe and sound here, and able to take care of you for a bit…”
The older woman turned her face to Adalyn, worry writ large across her features. “But what will she do, my Lady? She can’t spend her life buried in this cottage tendin’ me, and she doesn’t want to go out and find another position. Besides, who will hire her lookin’ like she does?”
Adalyn leaned back in her chair and thought for a moment. Then looked at Mrs. Barnsley.
“I will.”
“What?”
“I saidIwill.” Adalyn met the older woman’s gaze. “I have spoken to Giles now and again about this very thing. In spite of the efficient way the house is run, there are times when a woman needs another woman’s help.”
“But women don’t live there,” said Mrs. Barnsley, a confused look on her face. “Except yerself, of course.”
“That’s correct,” agreed Adalyn. “But if Jane could walk over early, and return before dark…I think that would be sufficient time for her to do whatever is necessary? It will mostly be caring for my wardrobe and perhaps assisting with my hair and clothes of a morning?”
“Well…”
“We’re near enough, aren’t we? Ten minutes or so? And for the pleasure of having a female helping hand in the mornings, I’d be more than willing to forgo it should the weather turn bad. I’d never expect Jane to try and struggle through a blizzard…”
“Of course you wouldn’t,” Mrs. Barnsley sounded hesitant.
“What worries you?”
“Them lads of yers.” She sighed and shook her head. “They’re too…too much of everything.”
“Mrs. B.,” remonstrated Adalyn. “You cannot believe they would approach Jane and make her uncomfortable in any way…”
“Oh God no,” she stuttered. “Not at all. It’sJaneI’m worried about. How can she stay away fromthem?”
Adalyn choked down a laugh. “I’m confident she will be all that is appropriate.”
