“I do, actually.”
He scoffed, folding his hands over his scrawny chest. “Of course you do. And if you manage to stay here a year, two years, and so on, you’ll begin to see that I’m right.”
“Perhaps you don’t see the good in people because you don’t look for it, Mr. Reed,” she countered.
He grinned, showing yellow teeth. “Perhaps. And perhaps you’ll allow me that my many years of experience supersede your…two days, is it?”
Audrey said nothing to this.
“As to your original question, you start at the beginning, of course.” His tone implied it was obvious.
“Genesis,” she said.
“That’s the beginning,” he said pompously.
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Reed.”
He grinned, but there was no warmth in the smile. “I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, He will be saved.”
“Indeed. Good evening, Mr. Reed.” Audrey closed the door and sighed heavily as she walked back to her room. What a strange man.
Audrey checked herself in the small mirror atop the dresser. Her hair was pinned securely at the nape of her neck. She adjusted the onyx brooch at her throat, then pulled on her small black gloves and picked up her purse as she left her room.
She felt a little excited at the prospect of taking tea with Henry Ryland’s mother. It was rare that she was able to socialize with other respectable women, and she looked forward to the chance of a Saturday outside the workhouse. She also had plans to visit the library Levi had shown her and maybe see the town for herself.
When she hailed a hansom cab, she gave him the address listed on the note she had been sent. It was a brief trip to the address, and when she stepped out, she looked up at the beautiful red brick home. It was an impressive three-story house with a grand octagonal turret that spoke of elegance and money.
When she used the brass knocker to announce her arrival, a young parlor maid immediately answered the door.
“Good afternoon. I believe I am expected. I’m Audrey Wakefield,” she told the maid.
The maid stepped aside, motioning her forward. “Please come this way.”
She led Audrey into the house, past the expansive wooden carved staircase, and into the back of the house into the conservatory.
“Madame, Ms. Wakefield,” the parlor maid said and bobbed a curtesy before she left.
Audrey turned to see a handsome middle-aged woman with brown hair threaded with grey and clear brown eyes. She looked up at Audrey and then signaled for her to be seated. Audrey took the seat next to her as she admired the green plants inside the glass-encased room.
“What a lovely conservatory,” she said, admiring the room.
Theodocia poured out the tea and handed one cup and saucer to Audrey. “Thank you for accepting my invitation, Ms. Wakefield. I’m Theodocia Ryland. I understand you are the new schoolmistress at the workhouse.”
Audrey accepted the cup. “I am.”
Theodocia settled back in her seat and studied Audrey. “In due part to my son.”
“In all part to him,” Audrey returned.
“Perhaps you had a little something to do with it,” Theodocia allowed.
“Perhaps a little,” Audrey agreed.
“How do find Norwich?”
Audrey took a sip of her tea and fo
und it delicious. “I’ve only been here a week. I’ve not been outside the workhouse until today.”