Captain Jones's Temptation - Audrey Harrison Page 0,21
gentle.
“Thank you.” Esther took a sip.
“Now, Lizzy. Tell me everything. Preferably without the waterworks.”
Lizzy hiccupped her way through the sorry story. “I was walking back from my half-day off last month, and a boy started walking alongside me.”
“Who was he?”
“I don’t know, sir. He’s not from Sidmouth. I’d never seen him before. He started asking about where I worked and what I did, and I told him all about Miss Hardy and her school. He was impressed with me and said I would likely be a teacher one day.”
Samuel stopped himself from rolling his eyes. The chit was young and naïve; it was no wonder she was picked as an easy target. “Go on.”
“He asked if he could walk me back, and then when we got to the servants’ entrance he wanted me to show him where I worked.”
“And did you?” Samuel almost exploded.
“No! Well, not that time.” Lizzy looked terrified, her eyes appealing to Esther.
“Carry on, Lizzy. It’s important you tell us everything,” Esther said.
“He met me every week on my half-day. He would wait for me just beyond the gates and walk me home and then walk me back here.”
“Did the gatekeeper see him?”
“No, sir.”
Samuel could have cursed. It seemed the lad knew exactly what he was doing. This was obviously no amateur.
“Last week he admitted that he was related to one of the girls.”
“Isabella?” Samuel asked, knowing the answer.
“Yes. He talked of Isabella’s Aunt Sally, and I knew he was speaking the truth because Isabella has told me of her,” Lizzy defended herself. “He said that they’d been kept apart from each other these last years and he’d love to be able to see Isabella again just once.”
“And did he give his name?”
“Yes. Jack.”
“Has Isabella ever mentioned a Jack?” Samuel asked Esther.
“No. She has rarely mentioned anything of her past, only Aunt Sally and not with fondness.”
“This Jack made a plan, did he?”
“Yes. He said he only wanted to spend a little time with Isabella, but I told him that she wouldn’t come with me if I met him at our usual place. I know Isabella wouldn’t want to leave the school without Miss Hardy or Miss Bolton.”
“So you persuaded her with a horse ride,” Esther said, the pieces falling into place. She had known deep down that Isabella could only be tempted away by horses, which was why she had directed Samuel to the stables when the search had started.
“Yes, but Gerald wouldn’t saddle the horses for me.”
“Gerald deserves a bonus,” Samuel said grimly.
Esther was inclined to agree, but she kept watching Lizzy. “Did you never think that you were doing something that would get you into trouble?”
Lizzy looked at Esther and seemed to sag. “Yes, Miss Hardy. I did. I hardly slept last night worrying about it, but see, Jack had— well, it was so much, miss, and with Mama and the children—”
“How much did he give you?” Samuel asked.
“Twenty pounds, sir. I’m sorry, Miss Hardy. I really am!” Lizzy cried.
“Oh, Lizzy, you silly girl,” Esther said sadly.
“I know I’ll be dismissed without a reference, but I don’t want to be. I love it here, Miss Hardy. Truly I do.”
“A pity you didn’t think that before you took Jack’s money,” Samuel snarled.
Esther raised her hand a little and shook her head at Samuel. Looking at Lizzy once more, she spoke quietly. “You know I can’t let you remain here, don’t you, Lizzy?”
“Yes, miss.” If they had thought she was crying excessively before Esther’s words, they were to find they had underestimated just how much Lizzy could sob.
“I am sorry, Lizzy, but I could never trust you again. I know about your mama and the children, and I understand why Jack’s money was too much of a temptation.” Samuel snorted, and Esther gave him a quelling glare. “I shall give you a reference, but one that will suggest I think you would be perfect to work in a scullery, or laundry.”
“Not as a maid?” Lizzy choked out.
“No. Whilst I am not willing to make you destitute, I refuse to give you the opportunity to cause trouble in another household. Remaining in the kitchen will keep you out of mischief. Believe me in this regard. Did Jack give you the twenty pounds?”
“Yes, I gave it to Mama last week.”
“Good. I will pay you what you’ve earned so far this quarter, and then you must leave. Captain Jones, please ring the bell.”
Samuel did as he was asked, but he was seething. Receiving a knowing look from Esther, he