Meredith grimaced.
Soup again? That means Ma’am Tabitha is still struggling to make ends meet.
The children were undoubtedly excited to put their master plan into action. Even so, they climbed upstairs in a brisk, but orderly fashion, for they did not wish to get in trouble and risk missing out on the afternoon’s mission.
“Let me help you with the table, Ma’am.”
* * *
As soon as luncheon was over, the children set to work creating their drawings. Paper was in limited supply, so they split themselves into pairs or groups and labored over their creations with admirable focus and determination. Meanwhile Meredith and Joyce caught up in the kitchen.
“What’s he like? Is he tall?” giggled Joyce.
“Yes, quite tall. And he’s got dark blond hair and chocolate-brown eyes that you could get lost in forever,” said Meredith dreamily.
They had to suppress their girlish squeals so that the children would not hear them. Joyce was only a year younger than Meredith and was therefore the only person (apart from Ma’am Tabitha) whom Meredith could talk to about her feelings.
“And he’s got a sharp mind, too! And he can also play the flute!”
“Oh, Mere. He sounds like a dream!”
“Who does?” asked Ma’am Tabitha as she walked into the kitchen carrying a basket of laundry.
“One of the gentleman friends of the Duke, Ma’am. Meredith really likes him.”
Meredith blushed, “He’s very kind to me, Ma’am, that’s why. And it is difficult to imagine a woman who would not fall for him. He is quite perfect.”
Ma’am Tabitha set the basket down on the kitchen table and looked at the two young women thoughtfully,
“Of course, there’s nothing wrong with admiring someone, dears. But when that someone is a member of upper class society, I am afraid that the only outcome for women of our class is pain.”
The young women’s smiles immediately vanished. Still, Ma’am Tabitha continued, “I am not saying this to hurt you, dears. Rather, I am reminding you of this out of motherly concern for you. Those upper class people only ever marry each other. In fact, we are invisible to them.”
Deep down, Meredith knew that what Ma’am Tabitha was saying was true. But it simply did not line up with Meredith’s experiences over the last seven days. If anything, the Duke and his friends made her feel welcome and secure.
“Yes, Ma’am. I understand. But Lord Farellshire, Lord Gillianghamshire, and His Grace are all different. They treat me with respect and compassion. Why, just the other day, Lord Farellshire asked His Grace if I could join them for dinner!”
Walking over to Meredith, Ma’am Tabitha remarked, “There, there, child. I do not wish to speak ill of your employer or his friends. And it may very well be that they are as kind as you say. But I must implore you to be careful. It is not uncommon for members of the aristocratic class to toy with the emotions of women from our station in life.”
Meredith simply nodded. She knew that Ma’am Tabitha was not saying this to hurt her feelings. Yes, the words still stung, but Meredith already knew that she could not possibly expect to ever be seriously courted by Lord Farellshire—let alone be asked to marry him.
But what about the kindness that they have shown me? Were they simply toying with me this entire time?
Joyce nudged her arm, “Oh, cheer up, Mere! You can still admire Lord Farellshire. Ma’am Tabitha is just reminding us to be cautious.”
“Yes, thank you, Ma’am. And thank you, Joyce. I will most certainly guard myself more carefully from now on. Besides, my main focus is teaching Lady Cecilia.” Turning to Ma’am Tabitha, Meredith vowed, “And I promise, Ma’am—once I receive my first wages, we shall use the money to stock up on food.”
“Oh, heavens! You silly girl. I shall give you a swift kick if you say that again! Can’t you see that Joyce and I are managing things quite well? Now, get out of my way, I have to fold these clothes.”
“Let us help you, Ma’am.”
And so they sat around the table, folding clothes and recounting the events of the past week. Meredith secretly wished that this moment could last forever. But, alas, time stands still for no one. When the last of the shirts had been folded, Joyce went upstairs to put them in the wardrobe while Meredith went into the parlor to see how the children were getting on.
Most of them had already finished their drawings and had signed their names. Each group took turns showing their drawings to Meredith and explaining the significance of their drawings. Meredith listened attentively so that she could properly relay the information to Lady Cecilia.
Once all drawings had been collected and the children celebrated their accomplished mission for the afternoon, Meredith offered to read them a story. After a minor squabble between the children,Gulliver’s Travelswas chosen.
After almost an hour’s worth of reading and answering questions about the existence of little people, where to find them, and even how to find them, Meredith glanced at the clock and was shocked to find that it was a quarter to six already. And she was meant to be back at Ambrose Estate at six o’clock sharp.
