Sarah continued sewing as she spoke. ‘What a relief he is on our side. I knew he was not a villain. It would have been such a shame, for he is so handsome.’ She sighed dreamily.
Rolling her eyes, Charlotte replied. ‘I suppose his good looks are no longer a waste.’
Sarah leaned in mischievously. ‘What shall we do about Mrs Dent? Will you tell Lord Stanley about her now?’
‘I suppose I shall have to. But when? He is constantly surrounded by his guests. And he has forbidden me from interfering.’
‘Perhaps you could ask Mrs Wilberforce?’
Charlotte agreed, and after a lesson with Tom, she escorted him to take his usual luncheon with his mother.
She caught her opportunity when Mrs Wilberforce swept into the parlour trailing muslin and perfume.
‘If I may speak with you privately, ma’am,’ Charlotte asked.
Both mother and son tensed immediately. Tom’s eyes darting nervously between them in particular.
‘It concerns Mrs Dent,’ she clarified.
The boy relaxed and resumed eating.
Mrs Wilberforce bent to kiss him before walking to the door and closing it gently behind them.
‘I assume this is about her treatment of you and Sarah. Henry told me of the... incident.’
‘Actually, no,’ Charlotte said carefully. ‘It is something more serious.’
Mrs Wilberforce’s expression grew wary. ‘But Mr Wilberforce has gone away on urgent business. If it is serious,can it wait until he returns? I am sure, whatever it may be, we can sort it out.’ She wrung her hands anxiously.
‘I think it is best if I speak with Lord Stanley about it. It is... of a more delicate nature.’
Charlotte kept her answer vague, uncertain how much Lord Stanley would wish his sister to know.
Mrs Wilberforce paled. ‘I hope you are not leaving. I cannot lose you.’
Her momentary hesitation only confirmed Mrs Wilberforce’s worst fears. She seized Charlotte’s hands desperately.
‘Please reconsider. We will raise your wages if needed. I am sure my brother would not object.’
‘I assure you, I have no intention of leaving.’
The relief that swept across Mrs Wilberforce’s face was so dramatic Charlotte nearly laughed.
‘Truly,’ she added gently.
‘You are quite sure?’
Poor Mrs Wilberforce looked perilously close to a nervous collapse, and Charlotte spent the next several minutes reassuring her before she finally calmed.
Once Mrs Wilberforce was convinced, she pressed a hand to her heart.
‘Then I shall arrange for Henry to meet you in the study straight away. Please—come with me.’
As she waited in the study, Charlotte’s throat felt dry. She rose the moment Lord Stanley entered—the very man she had hoped to avoid. But avoidance was no longer an option.
Mrs Wilberforce hovered near the doorway, her voice shrill with panic.
‘Henry, you must be kind to Miss Lucas. I do not know what we shall do if she leaves. You must do whatever she asks of you.’
