asked for things like old clothes, garments that could be repurposed for the children. Their biggest need was money.
Charles had known what her ladyship’s answer would be—a firm no, wrapped in mumbled justifications on why she detested “beggars.” The man was not a beggar. He worked with the orphanage and without enough benefactors, they were frequently reduced to asking for sustenance to keep the doors open. The oddity was that Lady Wendt’s husband had been a benefactor, so it was no wonder that the man persisted in returning every year, despite her attitude. Only Mr. Hanson did not know her attitude.
The butler pivoted toward his small office behind the kitchen area. He walked into the small room and opened the drawer to the small corner desk and pulled out a box from the bottom drawer. Extracting half of the contents, he placed it in a small velvet pouch and pocketed it, replacing the rest in the box and securing it once again in the bottom drawer. The headmaster would not leave empty-handed this Christmastide.
On his way to the anteroom, his hand squeezed the velvet bag. Ten pounds was a lot to part with, but this was a good cause. He handed the man the coins he had taken from his savings.
“Sir, her ladyship has already retired for the evening,” he said, not missing the look of frustration which escaped Mr. Hanson. “However, having expected your visit, she left word that this be given to you,” Charles said, tucking the money into the man’s hands.
“Thank you, kind sir. Please thank Lady Wendt for her generosity,” the man replied, pocketing the money.
Charles nodded. “I bid you a good evening,” he said, walking the man back to the front door. Lady Wendt would anger if she discovered he had donated money every year in her name, as she made it clear she did not encourage begging. In his mind, this was charitable work, not begging. The children needed food and a toy for Christmas. He hoped the ten pounds would provide ample funds. He had been lucky to not have unexpected expenses this year. I can never resist the children’s causes. Mayhap, it is because at one time, I was one of them. He never regretted the use of his money.
Three days hence would be Christmas Day, but Lady Wendt rarely acknowledged the holiday anymore. What had changed her attitude towards the feast?
Chapter Two
Agatha heard talking and opened the door to the hallway in time to hear the beggar thank Bentley, and her butler wish the man a good evening before the front door closed behind him.
“Shameful that they come to your door to ask for funds. I wonder why it took Bentley so long to dispose of him,” she complained out loud. Why was he thanking Bentley? He had turned him away. Curious, she pulled the cord.
At the sound of her voice, the cat opted for a warmer perch and left its spot on the floor for her lap. “Pretty, keep me company,” she crooned as she scratched the cat behind the ears, eliciting soft purrs from the animal. As she continued to cuddle the cat, she felt a slight movement in its stomach and sat back in alarm. “How odd,” she mumbled, gently probing the area. Feeling movement again, she held the kitty up to her neck and rocked her. “You wonderful dear! You are going to be a mama cat and we shall have kittens!” Agatha’s voice took on a joyous tone. “It was a good thing that we happened upon you, my sweet kitty.”
Agatha had never had a child. It was one of the many things that was his fault, she lamented to herself. Her departed husband, Ambrose, had blamed her for their inability to produce a child, ignoring the fact that his first wife had died childless. She had hoped that at least once, she would know motherhood. Her parents had forced the unhappy union, and as far as she was concerned, they were to blame. Her brother had chosen his own wife, something she had always resented—and for no other reason, she detested her sister-in-law. Despite her brother being dead, she felt justified in her resentment and waved her hand dismissively in the air. “My brother should have insisted Father not cast me off to Ambrose. The man was already old,” she sniffed. Agatha had been relegated to loneliness until she found Pretty, and the thought that there would be kittens thrilled her.
A small tap on the