Among the Darkness Stirs

“Not good. Mr. Felton explained that Father had previously done well and managed to put aside some money for us. But the last time he visited Mr. Felton, his circumstances had changed. He has left us just fifty pounds.”

“Fifty pounds?” Dr. Thomson frowned at the low sum.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Yes. Mr. Felton is going to speak to the parish to possibly forego the rent for the time being, but even if he buys us a few months, half a year, we must make a change by the end of the year.”

“Oh, my dear. I’m very sorry to hear of your circumstances. Coming after your father’s death, it seems so cruel,” he said kindly.

“I’ve come to you because I remember you told me I must be strong. Strong for my mother and sister. They are all I have. My father had no living family, and my mother had a falling-out with her brother. I asked her to write to him, but she won’t allow it.” She shook her head.

He hummed quietly. “That makes things difficult. Do you think she will reconsider contacting her brother?”

“No. My mother can be very stubborn. My uncle disapproved of my father apparently. They thought a vicar beneath them. I know nothing of her people. But it doesn’t look as if we can go to them,” Audrey said.

Enoch sighed. “This is a difficult situation. Your father’s earnings as a vicar and the house you live in are tied to the parish. Once he died, that all went with him. That’s the unpleasant truth.”

“I know,” she agreed. “I wonder if should try and seek employment. I trained at the Queen’s College as a governess, but I don’t know how to begin. Would I answer an ad in the newspaper or find someone such as yourself to recommend me? I would like to make sure that I find a decent and good home to be in.”

“You are a very formidable young lady, Audrey. I know your father thought highly of you and he would be proud of you now.”

She smiled sadly. “I would be more timid if I could have Father back.”

“Yes, of course,” Enoch agreed. “But though a governess might solve some problems, there are other issues that might then arise.”

“Such as?” she asked.

“Normally, a governess lives with the family where she teaches. She almost might travel with them if they move to the country in the off-season. I don’t think any household would allow you to take your mother and sister as well, and I don’t think you can afford to keep them in their present house,” he pointed out.

Audrey’s face fell. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“But don’t lose hope,” he said. “Let me ponder on the issue at hand. I will think hard on what you need and what you can offer and come up with a solution. I give you my word.”

Audrey breathed out heavily. “Thank you, Dr. Thomson. If you can help me and my family find a solution to this, I would be forever grateful.”

“Nonsense. It is the least I can do. Give me a week or two, and I will send word.”

She stood. “God bless you.”

“And you, my dear.”

Chapter Three

After supper, Audrey, her mother, and her sister retired to the parlor. Two cups of cocoa specially prepared by Cook were made for the two young ladies while Augusta enjoyed a glass of her favorite port from Taylor Fladgate.

Audrey warmed herself by the fire while her mother sat nearby, quietly embroidering. In between sips of cocoa, Frances played with her doll on the floor. On Audrey’s lap was Henry Ja

mes’ The American, which she found enjoyable, but lately her mind had begun to wander. She was preoccupied with the financial troubles they now found themselves in, and she wondered if Dr. Thomson would be able to help them as he promised.

She had been so set on becoming a governess in a grand house that she hadn’t really thought it through until she had talked with the doctor. Now reviewing it more thoroughly, she realized it would not do at all. A grand home with servants and a well-to-do family would take in a governess to educate the children and expect her to be silent and obedient.

Such a family would not allow a governess to bring in her own mother and sister while they sheltered and fed the three of them. That would be out of the question. She frowned as she looked into the fire and thought about what else she might be suited to do. She could seek employment in one of those grand department stores in London that she had visited once or twice while at college.

She had been in awe of their sophistication and thought she might enjoy that, but it didn’t solve the problem of what to do with her mother and sister. She might look to seek employment as a secretary or clerk, but while her skills in both areas were inadequate, she was certain not to impress any employer.

She opened the book to the page where she had left off, but she wasn’t reading. She had thought about getting a job as a schoolteacher, but she didn’t know where to begin. It was this sort of confusion that she hoped Dr. Thomson would help her with. She wanted to be able to make a livable wage and support her family.

She looked across at her mother, who was nodding off to sleep, and Frances, who was still playing but yawning occasionally.

“Come, Lambkin,” Audrey said softly. “I’ll put you to bed.”