A quick look around told Abigail that the teenage girl was gone. “Perhaps it is an adult book she reads. There must be some here for younger people.”
After a while they all settled on a tale about a horse. The children readied themselves for bed and crawled under the covers, then stared at her as they waited for her to start. Abigail sat on the edge of Noah’s bed and began to read. She was faintly aware of several women peeking into the room as she read the story and hoped that meant a change in how the children were treated. By the time she reached the end they were asleep or so she thought until she stood up and put the book away. Turning to leave, she found Noah staring at her. She hurried over and tucked his covers up around him.
“Get to sleep, young man.”
“Thank you for the story.” He snuggled down in the soft bed and closed his eyes. “My father used to read me to sleep.”
She kissed his forehead. “Hold fast to that memory. It is a very good one.”
When she went down the stairs it was to find Mrs. Beaton waiting for her. Whatever had the woman looking so sour was not mentioned for all the woman did say was, “Lieutenant MacEnroy is here to see you. In the parlor.”
Although she was not exactly sure which room was the parlor, the slight inclination of Mrs. Beaton’s head told her. Abigail strolled into the room and found Matthew seated rather stiffly in a chair. “Hello. Is my wagon someplace safe?” she asked as she went and sat opposite him.
“It is.” He sighed. “The man at the livery was most amused.”
“I am so glad my work pleased him.”
Matthew laughed. “Amused him so weel I was afraid James was going to hit him.”
Abigail smiled. “Tell James I am sorry. Oh, and ask him if he knows a boy named Noah, one of the children here.”
“I believe he does. He has brought a child here. A small boy.”
“Probably the man then.”
“How are the children?”
“Well. They are healthy and clean with a bed to sleep in.” She could tell by the look on his face that she had not sounded too pleased by that and was wondering why. “The women here have very little to do with them. I also got the feeling that I stepped wrong when I tried to. Mrs. Beaton was not pleased. I just do not understand. They are all young and it would seem women would be drawn to them at least occasionally.”
“But they arenae.”
“Not at all. And the children need it. They have all lost everything. Parents, brothers, sisters, homes, and Noah even lost his new puppy. They do not need to be taken in by the women, but some adults tending to them might help ease that loss. Otherwise it seems to them as if they have lost everything and then been tossed into a place where there is no more than a bed and a meal. Adults can manage, but children? No, it is hard for them to understand. Noah stayed awake so that he could thank me for reading a story to them and then softly mentioned that his father always read him to sleep.”
“Damn. What did you say?”
“What can you say to a child? ‘Your da is dead’? I just told him it was a good memory and he should cling to it.”
He smiled and reached over to pat the hands she had clenched in her lap. “A verra good thing to say.”
“It was odd because at the evening meal he came to me as soon as the other women left. He wanted a roll with lots of butter so I gave him one. The other children had left already. Then he told me he was growing and he thought a bit more stew would help him grow, too.” She smiled when Matthew laughed. “I know I erred by feeding the children before the ladies but still wonder what possessed him to wait and then speak to me.”
“It could be as simple as ye feeding them first. Or you might have a look that reminds him faintly of his mother. The same hair or eyes. He probably cannae tell you as it is just a gut feeling. That is often what children act on.”
“I suppose. So, what has brought you here?”
“I just came to see that you had settled in weel.”
“It has only been one day. I have a place to sleep and got some food so I suppose it could be called fine. I just haven’t gotten to know anyone except Julia Hawkins.”
“Ah, Robbie Collins’s lady.”
“That is what she said. I know everyone’s name but not much else. More takes time.”
“I ken. It was just that I got to thinking on the comments made about Mrs. Beaton and wondered. Also took Boyd to the infirmary and the doctor was quite impressed by your work.” He grinned when she blushed. “You may hear from him soon as he said he is always looking for someone with a bit of skill to help him.”
“Well, I would be glad to help, but we’ll see if he can overcome the dislike of women doing something that comes close to doctoring. They might be letting women into the schools to learn about it but working at it is not easy.”
“Nay, I imagine doctors are very protective of their place there.” Matthew stood up. “Just wanted to warn ye in case he does come round.”
