More Than a Governess. Sarah Mallory

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СКАЧАТЬ gripping her fingers and looked down, summoning up a smile.

      ‘Are you cold, Amy? I am sure Cousin Pettigrew will not keep us waiting much longer.’

      Her little sister hugged her rag doll closer.

      ‘I want to go home!’ she whimpered.

      Juliana sat down on a worn sofa and pulled the little girl on to her lap.

      ‘You know we can’t do that, love. We must see if Cousin Alfred can help us.’ She smiled up at her younger brother, a stout twelve-year-old who was hovering beside them.

      ‘Come and sit down, Tom.’

      ‘I would rather go back to the kitchen,’ said Thomas, thinking of the fruitcake he had left behind when they had been summoned upstairs.

      At that moment the door opened, and the three of them jumped to their feet, their eyes fixed on the florid-faced, bewhiskered gentleman who came in.

      Juliana gave him her best curtsy.

      ‘Good afternoon, Cousin. Thank you for seeing us.’

      Alfred Pettigrew advanced into the room, stripping off his gloves and dropping them, together with his silver-topped malacca cane, on to a side table.

      ‘Yes, well, I have just got in—had to carry out the reading of a will in Mount Street. I gather you have been here all morning?’

      ‘Yes, sir. We asked if we might wait for you and your housekeeper, Mrs Churwell, kindly looked after us.’

      ‘She gave us cake, and a glass of milk,’ added Amy and was nudged by Thomas, who hissed at her to be quiet. Juliana ignored the interruption.

      ‘I wrote to you, Cousin.’

      ‘Aye, you did, and I responded, did I not? Even more, I paid for your father’s funeral, and saw to the settlement of his affairs for you.’

      ‘Yes, sir, and we are very grateful. But that was three weeks ago, and circumstances have changed.’ She hesitated, for the first time losing some of her self-assurance. ‘The bailiffs called yesterday and removed everything, and Mr Crewe, the landlord, said he had already let the rooms, so we had to leave this morning.’

      Mr Pettigrew looked at her.

      ‘And what am I supposed to do with you?’

      ‘We were hoping—that is…’ Juliana took a deep breath. ‘We need somewhere to stay. It need only be for a short time, until I can find employment—’

      He gave an impatient snort.

      ‘And what sort of employment could you find, miss, that would allow you to support the three of you?’

      She drew herself up, her hands clasped in front of her rather shabby pelisse.

      ‘Well, Cousin, I was thinking that if you could advance me a small sum, I could find a house for us and earn a living as a tutor. I am very good at French and Italian, and could possibly do a little translation, too…’

      ‘Out of the question!’ He waved a hand impatiently. ‘Why, I would not see my money again for many a year, if ever.’

      Juliana closed her lips firmly, quelling her retort. It was common knowledge that Alfred Pettigrew was a rich man, but it was equally well known that he was not a generous one. She had seen enough of the house to convince her that he was indeed what her father would have called a nip-farthing. She sighed. It was not a charge that could be laid at Papa’s door.

      ‘Well, then, what are we to do, Cousin Alfred?’ asked Thomas. ‘You are the only relative we have.’

      ‘You have no need to remind me of that.’ Mr Pettigrew scowled and his heavy jowls shook with disapproval. ‘That my cousin Wrenn should leave his affairs in such disorder, with no means of support for the three of you—unforgivable.’

      He paced the room while three pairs of eyes watched anxiously. At length he stopped.

      ‘Very well. I’ll tell you what I will do. I will send you all to Hinton Slade, my house in Devon. My mother lives there; she is not in the best of health and would welcome a companion, I am sure. That way, Miss Juliana, you can earn your keep. Thomas can help out in the stables and young Amy there can train as a lady’s maid.’

      Juliana looked at him in horror.

      ‘But what about their schooling?’

      ‘Tush, a boy of twelve doesn’t need schooling. He is better earning his living. And as for the young ’un, well, you can teach her all she needs in your spare time.’

      Juliana looked down at her siblings, fighting the urge to take their hands and walk out of Cousin Alfred’s house. Instead she said calmly, ‘That is very kind of you, Cousin. Perhaps you would allow me a few days to consider the matter?’

      ‘Don’t see there’s anything to consider.’ His lip curled. ‘Unless you have had any better offers?’

      ‘No, but I would like to make a few enquiries.’ She tried a winning smile. ‘Please, Cousin, may we impose upon your generosity for a few days? I promise you we will be in no one’s way.’

      ‘Of course you will be in the way! This is a bachelor establishment—it would be most improper for you to be here.’

      ‘Not if we kept to the servants’ rooms, sir. Mrs Churwell told me that she was obliged to dismiss one of the kitchen-maids, so the three of us could sleep in her room for a few nights. We would be most discreet.’ Remembering the housekeeper’s advice on dealing with the master, she added, ‘I’m sure Mrs Churwell would be grateful for a little help now she’s one girl short in the kitchen.’

      She held her breath. Mr Pettigrew frowned at the carpet, puffing out his cheeks. Amy moved restlessly from one foot to the other and Juliana put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

      ‘Very well, you can stay, but only for a few days. I can’t have the three of you eating me out of house and home. If you’ve found nothing in a se’ennight, then it’s off to Devon with you.’

      ‘Oh, thank you, sir!’ Juliana beamed at him. ‘We will be no trouble, I promise you. You will not even know we are in the house.’

      Juliana hurried Amy and Thomas back to the kitchens where the housekeeper was waiting for them.

      ‘Well, miss?’ she asked. ‘It must be good news or you would be out the door by now.’

      Juliana smiled. ‘We can stay, and I can help you with the maid’s work until you find a replacement.’

      ‘Aye, I guessed that would sway him,’ Mrs Churwell tutted. ‘Miserable old skinflint, and him with more money than he knows what to do with.’

      ‘He did say we could go and live with Aunt Pettigrew,’ said Thomas, brightening when he found his half-eaten cake was still on the table.

      The footman, sitting in one corner blacking his shoes, gave a derisive snort.

      ‘Ha! СКАЧАТЬ