“You can reprimand them, and we have an entire list of punishments you can mete out, but in my opinion, that isn’t helpful. It only makes them rebel more. I have in the past relied on the schoolmistress to do what she thought best, but again, you don’t have the experience to guide you,” he finished.
Audrey looked away from his gaze. “I see.”
Henry sighed. “In short, Ms. Wakefield, I am sympathetic, but I don’t think you would be a good fit for the position at the workhouse.”
Her head flew back up to search his face for answers. “Why not? Simply because of my inexperience? I can gain such at the workhouse.”
“I think you’re too—” he began but stopped short.
Her eyes flashed. “Too what, Mr. Ryland? Too sheltered? Too unqualified?”
Too lovely, he almost said aloud.
“Too inexperienced, Ms. Wakefield,” he finally settled on. “I’ve said as much, and you said so yourself.”
“You can give me a chance,” she said suddenly. “I won’t move my family yet. I can stay in the workhouse for a month. I won’t even ask for wages. And if in a month I don’t suit, then that will be that.”
“Ms. Wakefield,” Henry said softly, hating turning her away, “I have a law practice in Norwich. It’s a successful practice and I’m proud of it. I have several associate solicitors who work for me and clerks. Perhaps I could find something for you there. Some light clerical work—”
“No thank you, Mr. Ryland,” she said, standing up with flushed cheeks. “I don’t need a handout!”
He shot to his feet as well. “Ms. Wakefield!”
“I asked Dr. Thomson for help and he said he had found a solution to my problem. It appears that not only are you not a solution for me, but you view me as a problem to be solved. So, thank you for your time. I bid you a good day,” she said stiffly.
“Ms. Wakefield,” he tried again, calmly touching her arm and stopping her from moving past him.
“Keep your hands to yourself, Mr. Ryland,” she snapped, yanked her arm away. “Your words are offensive. I may be the daughter of a vicar and used to a certain life, but I’ve been told I’m strong. When Dr. Thomson first told me about the workhouse, I had doubts. I didn’t want to make a mistake and I wanted to be of use. But apparently, none of that matters to you. You look at me and see a silly girl who should be pushed into the back of a dusty storeroom to make tea!”
Henry almost smiled at her words, but he noticed she was trembling with anger. “Ms. Wakefield, I do not think you are silly. I just think you would not be a good fit for the workhouse.”
She brushed past him. “Very well. You’ve said quite enough.”
Henry chastised himself for upsetting her so. Taking a deep breath, he chased after her. “Ms. Wakefield!”
He caught up with her and touched her arm to turn her. When he looked down into her face, her eyes and cheeks glistened with moisture, and with a start, he realized he’d made her cry. She said nothing but inched her chin up a notch to meet his gaze. His heart thundered inside his chest when he saw her face. He felt like an ass.
“Ms. Wakefield,” he said softly.
“I don’t want your handout, and I certainly don’t want your pity,” she said defiantly.
He looked into her lovely face and steadied himself. “I seem to be at sixes and sevens today. I must beg your pardon. I would like to take you up on your offer. A month at the workhouse.” When Audrey said nothing, he continued. “It’s not a handout. Trust me. You’ll work very hard, and for you, it will be even more difficult because you have never had such a position.”
She crossed her arms across her chest. “Why did you change your mind?”
He looked down into her face. What could he say to her? The truth seemed too absurd. To be honest, she had touched something inside him. She was an absolute stranger to him, and it shouldn’t be and it didn’t make sense, but that was the truth.
She was alone in the world with a mother and sister to provide for, and she wanted to find employment. She was right about one thing. She had a strength about her. Even crying, there was strength in those luminous blue pools.
“I want to help you,” he said simply.
She eyed him warily. “Why?”
He shrugged. “I’ve just said. To help you.”
Audrey considered that and then met his gaze directly to deliver her next part. “I’ve reconsidered a part of my offer. I deserve to be paid.”
Henry took note of her boldness. “You do. But I do think it wise to leave your family in the country. Until we see if it works. It will only be for a month.”