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Leah reached out to take her hand.

“I have no place to go. No family. Oh, I’m doomed.”

“No, you aren’t. I’ll see to that.” Leah pushed away the surprise of the moment and frowned. “Who is the father?”

“Jake Lipka, the Polish grounds keeper next door. I thought we would be together forever. We even talked about where we would live and whether one household or the other might employee us both.”

“But now he doesn’t want to marry you? Is that correct?”

Brigette looked away as if too embarrassed to face Leah. “Yes, but he told me he loved me. I swear he did.”

Leah nodded. “They always do. That’s what they say to have their way.” She shook her head. “It’s a terrible thing, but it works for most. It would seem a great many women are in need of love, and the promise of it causes them to temporarily take leave of their senses.”

“I know I did wrong. My ma always told me to wait until I was married to do such things. I know you’ve taken care of the women at Bethany Home, but I can’t go there. I can’t have anyone know what’s happened, not in society. I’d never get another position. Why, your folks couldn’t even write me a decent reference if such behavior were known.”

“Of course they would. This won’t turn them against you, Brigette.”

“They can’t know. They just can’t. I can’t bear it. What am I going to do, Miss Leah?”

Indeed. What was she going to do? Even with Leah’s plans to start an unwed mothers’ home for the social elite, Brigette would hardly fit in there.

But why not?

Leah reasoned that working in high-society homes was all that Brigette had ever known. She and her mother had been taken in by Leah’s grandparents when Brigette’s father died in an accident some twenty years ago. Brigette had been raised in luxury, not that it was hers to keep, but Grandmother had insisted on her getting an education and had treated them more like family than servants. After her mother died, Brigette went to work for Leah’s parents and became Leah’s personal maid.

Brigette knew hard work and wasn’t afraid of it, but she was used to living in finery and speaking properly. Mother and Father weren’t overly generous, but they saw to it that their staff had it better than most with a standard of living far above most common servants’. It was even rumored that workers from other houses watched and prayed for openings at the Turner or Garrison homes. Mother had a waiting list of people who had shared their résumés and references.

She looked at Brigette and considered the situation. If she did start her own home for women, Leah was certain she would want and need Brigette at her side. Of course, there would now be a delay of several months before she could take on heavy duties, but for a time she should be able to manage lighter ones, perhaps even supervise other maids.

“Look, I’m working on something that might be useful to us. I want to start an unwed mothers’ home for the social elite. If I do, I will purchase a house and need a staff. You could come with me. We would have to work out all the details—I’m not at all sure how we would settle matters—but we’ll figure something out.”

“Thank you, miss. I was in such despair. Of course, I don’t know how I can keep it secret much longer.”

“What’s important is that you have proper medical care, good meals and exercise, and a nice place to live. That’s my heart for any woman who needs my help. Now, try not to fret. I plan to speak with my grandparents and parents and get something going right away. We’ll say nothing about your condition for now.”

Brigette nodded and wiped her eyes with the edge of her apron. “I’ll do whatever you say.”

Leah was still thinking on the matter that evening. It would be best to talk to her family and get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

“But what if they don’t approve?” She hadn’t really considered this before now. It was possible they would think her too young and inexperienced to take on such a project.

She went to bed thinking about how she could make a case if her family took a stand against her plans, and it was the first thing on her mind when she woke. Her family respected members doing what they felt God was leading them to do, but Leah also knew they were aware of her distancing herself from God.

“I can’t very well tell them I’ve prayed on it and feel called to this ministry.” She stared up at the ceiling. “But I do feel called.” She considered her relationship with God. Would He still give her a calling even if she was angry at Him?

Guilt overwhelmed her. She still loved God and would never depart from her Christian beliefs. But she was also hurt, so hurt. She couldn’t help but believe God had betrayed her faith in Him. He could have kept Susanna and the baby from dying. He could have given Susanna’s parents a heart of love for their daughter. Things might have been so different.

Then again, the results might have been the same even if Susanna had remained in the arms of a loving family. Women died in childbirth. It was a risk that everyone accepted.

Snuggling deeper into the warmth of her covers, Leah tried not to think about all the things that might go wrong. She wanted very much to focus on all the good she might do in her endeavors. With or without God’s help.

But she had to admit, she’d rather have His help.

Even so, the key would be getting her grandparents behind the project first. When they supported starting something, things happened quickly. Mother and Father would surely see the importance of the matter and fall into step. They were usually understanding, so Leah wasn’t sure why she was so anxious about telling them.

There was a light rap on the door before it opened. Leah sat up to see Brigette enter.

“Good morning, miss.” She crossed the room to pull back the draperies.