Among the Darkness Stirs

“That makes sense.”

“If it is a good fit, you’ll have a month to acclimate them when they arrive. If it doesn’t, they don’t have to be uprooted once more.” He paused and then told her, “I still must speak to the other Board of Guardians for approval to bring you on, but I don’t anticipate any problems. We must fill the position, and it has been difficult.”

Her brows met in a frown. “Why has it been difficult?”

“It has been so for various reasons. We had one woman as schoolmistress for several months and she left to marry. Her husband didn’t want her to work,” he recalled. She’d been a great schoolmistress.

“Yes,” she said in understanding.

“Another woman retired and went to live with her daughter in the north. She writes me every so often,” Henry said. “There was a young woman who was at the workhouse for four months and didn’t find it to her liking. Last I heard she was working as a governess in a seaside house.”

“When would you like me to start?” she asked.

He considered that. “Two weeks from the time I receive the go-ahead from my fellow board members. This will give you enough time to get your belongings together and make the trip to Norwich. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes.” She extended her hand out to him just as Enoch Thomson returned.

“So? Is it all settled? Henry? Audrey?” He looked at both of them.

“Once the board agrees, she will start two weeks after that,” Henry said as his eyes met hers.

Audrey tried not to think of the quiet, arrogant man she had just met, but it was difficult. She had expected the workhouse Board of Guardian to be someone like Enoch Thomson or Mr. Felton. White-haired or at least greying at the temples with a cane and perhaps a bit of gout.

Henry Ryland was nothing of the sort.

He was tall, with wavy brown hair, penetrating eyes, and the good looks of an actor she had once seen in The Graphic that Polly had shown her.

She was grateful he had agreed to the arrangement, but she regretted the loss of control in front of him. She had been so angry and upset and had been unable to hide it from him. She had wanted to appear calm and collected so that it would be all the more reason for him to want her on staff. She wanted to be a sensible, Victorian woman to show him that she could handle the workhouse children and any situation that arose. Damn Henry Ryland! The handsome solicitor was probably always in control.

But she didn’t want to dwell on the interaction with the handsome, cold man. At the end of the afternoon, she had been offered a position with the workhouse barring the Board of Guardians’ decision, and that was something good to tell her mother and sister. A sense of relief flooded through her. She would be able to support her family.

She would be a success despite Henry Ryland.

Henry entered Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese public house and ordered a pint and steak and kidney pudding. He liked the dark interior of the pub and always stopped by when he was in London. He took his tall glass and sat in a booth in the dark corner. He faced the large room and sipped his drink, waiting for his food to arrive.

Now that he had time to reflect on the day’s events, he had surprised himself several times over. Not the least of which was his meeting with Audrey Wakefield where he had agreed for her to join the workhouse.

He had expected a little country mouse complete with spectacles and dour looks, and in her place, he had been introduced to a beauty with a strong sense of herself and the mouth to voice it. She had not backed down, and he had been impressed. There was a quiet strength about her but also a vulnerableness he wanted to protect.

Audrey Wakefield was an unusual woman. She had attended college, wanted to support her family, and had strong opinions. He remembered their interaction that afternoon. Audrey was very young to be so outspoken and to stand up for herself. He was impressed.

A familiar face entered and ordered a drink at the bar. Henry acknowledged the man and watched as he made his way over to his booth.

“Henry, how are you? It’s been some time,” Guy Keene said.

“It has been. Have a seat.” Henry gestured to the bench across from him.

Guy slipped into the bench across from him. “I was surprised to hear you were in London and staying at the club. The steward told me you would be here.”

“I’m in town for business,” Henry said vaguely.

He had known he might see Guy eventually. After all, they shared the same club in London.

Guy sipped his drink, studying Henry. “Are things well with you?”

Henry shrugged. “The same.”

“How is Theodocia? Please remember me to her.”