Among the Darkness Stirs

“Do that. And remember, you’ve said no several times to me. This time the only acceptable answer is yes.”

“Hmmm,” she said in response.

He kissed her swiftly but firmly. “Remember. Yes.”

She watched him walk down the path and locked the door when he was out of sight.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Henry spent the entire day at the office. His attention was needed on several cases that normally would have turned over to his associate. He glanced at the mantle clock several times and ten in the morning turned to twelve, then two, and suddenly it was four in the afternoon.

He was finally able to pull on his overcoat and leave the office for the workhouse. It irritated him that he should have to wait a whole day to question Cuthbert Meacham. He took the large ledger out to review it once more inside the hansom cab, then returned it to the bag upon arrival.

He entered the workhouse and passed several staff members he knew as he made his way to the Meacham apartments on the upper floor.

“Mr. Ryland?” Cuthbert said as he opened the door in surprise.

“How do you do, Meacham? You’ll forgive my coming to see you without an appointment,” Henry said.

He quickly ushered H

enry inside. “Don’t be ridiculous! You’re always welcome. We’re only here at the behest of the board.”

Henry took a seat at the small dining room table and watched Cuthbert move into the kitchen. “Matron isn’t here?” he wondered.

“No. She’s down in the laundry supervising.” He busied himself in making tea for them both without asking, and once finished, he placed the tray of a teapot and two cups on the table.

“Thank you.” Henry reached out and took a cup.

“How can I help you, Mr. Ryland?” Cuthbert sat across from Henry.

“I was reviewing the account ledger last night at our board meeting. It’s customary, as you know. We review the balances and entries for discrepancies,” he explained.

Cuthbert shrugged. “Yes. I must say mathematics isn’t my strong point, but I do my best.”

“These entries here and here.” Henry pointed out. “These are the ones I have a question about.”

Cuthbert reached for his spectacles and placed them on his nose. “These?” He pointed.

“Yes.”

“Hmmm. Well, I’d like to help you, but that’s not my handwriting,” he said kindly.

“It isn’t?” Henry frowned.

“No. Normally, I handle the ledger on most entries, but as I said, sometimes I need some help.”

Audrey was finishing up in the classroom. The day had gone by so slowly when she had wished it to fly by. She was interested to see what Henry had learned from the Master on the ledger. After locking the door, she walked along the hallway and out into the courtyard. It was getting dark. She looked behind her out of habit, but no one was there.

She turned away from the hallway and walked along the path to her cottage. She thought to get a small bite to eat and then see if Henry had learned anything from Master. She touched her hair self-consciously and turned the knob on the door. After turning up the gaslight in the hallway, she placed her small purse down on the table and then took a deep breath of air. When she glanced over, she spotted a figure and nearly cried out from the shock.

“I’m sorry. Did I startle you?” Matron said as she sat upon her sofa in the front parlor.

“A—As a matter of fact you did,” Audrey said, her heart racing. “It seems people’s homes here on the grounds are not so private.”

“Your cottage is provided by the workhouse for the work you do. It isn’t really yours,” she admonished.

“Isn’t it?” Audrey said, looking about the room and feeling more and more uneasy.