Captain Jones's Temptation - Audrey Harrison Page 0,25

to mix with,” Miss Breacon said.

Esther wanted to growl with frustration. If two of her teachers knew, everyone would know, and it would make her task all the harder. Events were spiralling out of control, and there was not a blasted thing she could do about it.

“As I said, I shall be sorry to see you go, ladies, but if that is what you wish, I can clearly see there is no point in my trying to persuade you otherwise,” Esther said. This was proving to be the biggest calamity she had ever dealt with, and she’d dealt with a few in her eight and twenty years. She glanced at Miss Callaghan. “It is what you both want?”

Miss Callaghan flushed to the tips of her hair but nodded. “I am sorry to leave, but yes. I cannot remain here.”

“In that case, please give me a little time and I shall write references for each of you,” Esther said.

“We shall leave tomorrow. With the girls starting to leave, there is no need for us to remain,” Miss Breacon said.

“Of course.”

When left alone, Esther put her head in her hands. Four years. Longer if you counted the whole time she had spent living with her uncle. She had tried and tried to turn things around for herself, carve out a life that gave something to others, secured her future and kept her away from those who would harm her. Now it was all turning to dust.

Not responding to a gentle knock on the door, she only looked up when she heard an exclamation. Struggling into the room with a tray was Cook.

“I thought it was your motto never to appear above stairs,” Esther said, with a slight smile.

“That was before I heard those two spineless wishy-washy gudgeons were coming to see you,” Cook said, huffing as she placed the tray on the desk. “I thought you might need sustenance.”

“I do not think I could swallow anything at the moment.”

“That bad?”

“It is beginning to crumble, and I am not sure when it will stop,” Esther admitted.

“Not everyone will stay, nor will all the children return, but that is the way of the world. Those who care for you and believe in what has been achieved here will stand by you.” Cook had ignored Esther’s words and filled a cup with tea and put two pieces of cake on a plate. Handing them to Esther, she sat in the chair that had not long been vacated by Miss Callaghan.

“Bless you for saying that,” Esther said, automatically taking a sip from the china cup. “But we know how gossip spreads. Sidmouth is small enough that this will go into folklore. Miss Breacon’s family lives in the town; she certainly had enough to say on the subject of knives and my so-called brother.”

“She’s a tabby, that one. Never did like her. This will pass, Esther, you will see.”

“Perhaps. I want you to send as many servants as possible away. I cannot put anyone in danger. I wanted to take Isabella to a different location, but both the captains said that at this point we should remain here, and I do not wish you or anyone else to be at risk.”

“If you think I am going to abandon you in your hour of need, madam, you have not a clue about my character!”

Smiling, Esther sighed. “I do not want you to be in harm’s way. We do not know who or what we face.”

“And I shall be right by your side whilst you face it, or at least trying to make sure no harm comes to you. Anyway, how do you think you will feed those two strapping young men? Do you fancy spending all day every day in the kitchen?” Cook asked.

“They could feed themselves,” Esther suggested.

“Over my dead body will they be allowed to rummage around in my kitchen! Of all the nonsensical ideas. I shall be staying, but I will send away the younger staff. There’s no point giving the town more to gossip about. The younger ones are more likely to get caught up in the drama of it all and speak inappropriately. They don’t have much to do with the other staff apart from at mealtimes, and Dawson and myself come down hard on anyone who dares to gossip around the servants’ table.”

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome.” Cook stood. “Come here.” She opened her arms. Esther did as she was bid and was enveloped in a warm embrace. Resting her head on Cook’s