He waved away her apology. “You’ve no need to apologize, Ms. Wakefield. You are under immense stress. Send me word about the cottage.”
“I will. Good night.”
The next afternoon when school had finished, Audrey asked Levi to show her where the cottages were, and they walked there together. There were several cottages in a row with red brick trim and each with small gardens. She tried the door to one, but it was stuck. Levi heaved himself against it, and the door finally gave way. She walked through the cottage, which had a small parlor, a dining room, a kitchen, and three bedrooms on the second floor. It was half the size of their home in Kent, but she thought it was perfect.
“It’s lovely, isn’t it,” Audrey asked him.
Levi leaned against the doorframe. “It’s cozy.”
After looking at the small yard and the lattice that traveled along one side of the house, she felt a wave of happiness. They would be happy here. She could see them as a family again, enjoying meals at the table and sitting in the garden at sunset and in the afternoon enjoying tea. It would do very nicely.
She made her way back to the workhouse and took up her gloves and bonnet. She was so excited she decided to tell Mr. Ryland now that she would like the cottage readied.
When he entered Henry’s office, the young clerk apologized for interrupting him.
“Yes? What is it, Madden?” Henry asked, looking up from his work.
The clerk stuttered. “There’s a—there’s a young woman to see you.”
Henry sighed. “Does she have an appointment?”
“No, sir. But—she’s—”
Henry interrupted him. “Yes? She must have an appointment.”
Madden swallowed hard, looking nervous. “I think you’ll want to see her, sir. She’s quite—”
Henry looked up at the young lad. “Quite?”
“Quite,” the lad finished awkwardly.
Henry put down his pen. “Juvenile idiot,” he muttered under his breath.
He walked outside his office and instantly recognized the black mourning gown and slim figure encased in it. He smiled to himself. “Quite.”
“Ms. Wakefield,” he said, coming to stand before her.
Audrey turned around and beamed at him. He noticed the faces of his clerks and associates focused on him and Audrey. She had pulled back her veil, and her pale oval face was something to behold.
“Mr. Ryland, am I disturbing you? I suppose I shouldn’t have come to your place of business,” she said suddenly. “That was forward of me.”
“No, no.” He waved it away. “What brings you here? Come inside. Do you care for tea?” he said in a rush.
Audrey shyly followed him into his office. “I was too rash. Forgive me. I should go.”
“No. You’re here now. It’s fine. You’ve taken me away from this bloody paperwork.” He took a seat behind his desk. “What brings you here?”
“I was able to view the cottages. They are perfect.” Audrey’s eyes were bright with excitement.
“Are they?” Henry tried to remember the last time he had seen the cottages. To him, they had seemed old and out of date, clustered together at the far-left corner of the workhouse grounds near the orchards.
“They’ll be perfect. It’s just my mother, sister, and I, and we could even make do with two bedrooms,” she told him.
He immediately shot down the idea. “Nonsense. You all must have your own space. Which cottage did you like? I think there is a handful of them.”
Audrey considered it for a moment. “It was red brick, and it had a trellis on the side of the wall. It was quite pretty with a little garden.”
“Then I’ll have it prepared for you. I’ll make sure it has a fresh coat of paint and a good cleaning.”