“Leah is going to make herself sick if you allow her to eat anymore!” said Helen, putting her fists on her hips and jutting out her chin.
Silas pinched his nose again, reminding himself that she was a child; it would not do for him to respond in kind, even if she was being excessively difficult. There was no help for it. Only a fool refuses to admit defeat when it is clear he cannot win.
“Mr. Chapman, send word to Stowell Cottage and fetch Miss Delmonte here immediately.”
Chapter 7
Afather was capable of handling his children. Judith had known many men who fared as well as any woman when it came to keeping their young ones fed, clothed, and cared for. But for all his confidence, Mr. Silas Byrnes was not one of them. The road to hell was paved with good intentions, as they were wont to say, and Judith’s employer was determined to prove that proverb true. And there was no more apt way to describe the Byrnes & Co. office than a veritable hell.
The building consisted of a large room with a warehouse and two private offices sprouting out from it. Mr. Byrnes and Mr. Hatcher stood in the doorway to one of the rooms, and before Judith stepped into view, she had a good idea of what she would find. The shouts, shrieks, and rapid footsteps emanating from inside testified to the chaos. The gentlemen did not notice her approach, as their eyes were riveted to the room while the children ran amok.
At least the damage was contained to a single space.
“Pardon me,” she said, and the pair jumped.
Mr. Byrnes spun around and quickly moved aside, with a bow and a sweep of his arm, but Mr. Hatch stood there like a lump, a hint of panic shining in his eyes. The elder gentleman finally nudged the younger aside and ushered Judith forward.
“Oh, dear,” murmured Judith, though she doubted anyone else heard her. And that small exclamation certainly summed up the sight before her.
A crate sat in the center of the room. Straw was strewn around it, and several bundles and fans were scattered around the desk. Griffith and Leah careened about like little demons, climbing over or under any object that got in their way. And all while Helen shrieked at them to halt.
“Stop!” Judith barked the word in a sharp snap, and the two elder children paused. Leah continued along her path, which led her directly into Griffith; colliding with him, she flew to the ground, and thankfully, her head connected with the rug and not the floorboards. Blinking up at the ceiling for a moment, Leah’s expression scrunched before she let out a wail.
Helen ran to Judith, throwing her arms around her governess’s waist. “I tried to stop them, and they wouldn’t listen to me. And he allowed them to eat all sorts of sweets and riled them up until they were unmanageable!”
In case Judith did not know who “he” was, Helen released her long enough to point an accusatory finger at her papa. The man in question scowled and opened his mouth, but anything he might’ve said was swallowed up in Leah’s shrill cries, which was followed by Griffith jabbering about how none of it was his fault. Only Mr. Hatcher did not demand her attention, choosing to shrink into the background instead.
Giving Helen a quick squeeze, Judith stepped to Leah, scooping her off the ground to cradle the child on her shoulder. Leah went limp in her hold, and Judith was all too aware that the little one was not quite so little anymore. The child whined for Nurse Johnson, but there was no helping that at present: Alice had other pressing chores at home and couldn’t be spared at present.
Judith turned her attention to Helen, though Griffith spoke over his sister.
“Just one moment, dear,” she said, but the boy wouldn’t stop chattering until Judith gave him a stern warning. Turning her gaze to Helen, she said, “I am certain you did your best to help your papa.”
“He wouldn’t listen to me!”
Again, Mr. Byrnes looked as though he would respond, but the fellow thought better of whatever angry words he was going to say, thank heavens, for Judith could not handle another hot temper at this moment. Instead, she crouched low and drew Helen into her free arm, while balancing Leah with the other; each girl rested her head against Judith’s shoulders, and only their brother remained unaltered by the heavy moment, for he stood before Judith, shoving all the things his father had given him into her face for her perusal.
“That is very nice,” said Judith with a smile while rocking the girls. Allowing them a moment more to calm themselves, Judith put Leah down and released Helen. With the trio standing before her, she gave them a wide smile. “Did you see ships?”
Griffith and Leah launched into animated recountings about the many things they’d seen and the great many more that they’d eaten, though she needed only to look at the state of their faces and clothes to know they’d been gorging on sweets. Helen remained silent through the whole tale, merely leaning against Judith with that downcast expression that too often graced her face.
Oh, what was Judith to do with this little miss?
“That is so wonderful, but it is time for us to return home.”
Griffith gave a half-hearted protest, none of them were truly upset by Judith’s declaration. Pointing out the mess that had been strewn about, Judith added, “But we need to clean up before we go. We cannot leave your papa’s office in such a state. Pick up the straw and place it in the crate.”
Helen did as bidden, but Griffith kicked at the nearest bit, a frown tugging at his lips. Mr. Byrnes opened his mouth to say something, but Judith spoke before he could; she didn’t know what he would say, but no one in this office could stand another battle of wills, and there was a simple solution.
“Leah is cleaning faster than you, Griffith,” said Judith, picking up a handful of straw and tossing it into the crate. “It seems her older brother should—”
But Judith did not need to finish her sentence. Griffith’s eyes widened, and he flew about the room, grabbing up handfuls of the straw and chucking it at the crate. Much of it missed the opening, and Judith called out for him to be careful, all while stoking the competition that made the children think of the chore as a game.
It was not the neatest job done, but the younger two did as well as could be expected, and Judith refused to allow Helen to fuss over it. Straightening, she took Leah and Helen by the hand and led them to the doorway. Mr. Byrnes still stood there, and Judith donned her professional facade, meeting his astonished gaze with a polite nod.
“I have the children in hand, sir, and shall take them home.” Glancing down at Leah, Judith’s brows drew together; she was not looking well. No doubt the overabundance of sweets was not sitting well after all her exertions. It was best if Leah returned home posthaste.
“A ship is coming into harbor shortly, and I want the children to see it. With your assistance, I see no reason why we cannot witness that sight. The children will love it,” said Mr. Byrnes.
