you going to that awful woman’s meeting this evening?”
“Yes.”
“Well since you don’t like my ideas for an evening’s entertainment, I thought I’d go along with you, if you don’t mind.”
Nicola hid a grin, knowing that Meg only wanted some diversion from the occupants of the house and was not intrigued by Frances’s issues at all. “I don’t mind.”
Meg sprang up and stepped around the bath to look out of the small window. “I’m bored.”
“I know.”
Fiddling with the curtain, Meg sighed. “I hardly see you anymore. That Frances takes up all of your time. If it’s not the soup kitchen, it’s all that rights nonsense. If it’s not that, then it’s going out on other charity work.”
“I like to be busy.”
“How do you expect to get employment though, when you’re never home to write applications?”
Nicola frowned. It was true. She’d not looked for work in the last two days. She would have to find some form of permanent income soon. Frances, now a firm friend, expected total dependability, which Nicola would be happy to give if only she had a private income to meet her living expenses.
A scream echoed up from downstairs and for a second Meg and Nicola looked at each other in surprise. They heard rushing footsteps and suddenly both of them were whipping open the door.
Emily, tears streaming down her face, ran across the landing. “Nicola, Meg, you must come!”
Nicola reached for her shawl and wrapped it over her shoulders. “What has happened?”
“Mr Eldersley has collapsed in the kitchen!”
As the three women spun around and headed back downstairs, Deirdre Burstall came out of her room. “What’s all the fuss about?”
“Mr Eldersley has collapsed.” Meg shouted over her shoulder. “Come and help.”
Racing into the kitchen, Nicola skidded to a halt near the crouching Mrs Eldersley, who held her husband’s head and shoulders in her arms.
“Have you sent for the doctor, Mrs Eldersley?” Nicola whispered, kneeling beside the couple.
The older woman, her eyes blank, shook her head. “It’s too late for a doctor.”
Nicola turned to the women behind her. “Bring Dr Armitage, Meg. Emily, make everyone some tea. Miss Burstall go next door and ask for help. We need men to carry Mr Eldersley upstairs.”
Once the women scuttled to her bidding, Nicola gently rested her hand on Mr Eldersley’s chest. Nothing. Leaning forward, she placed her ear above his mouth. Nothing.
“He dropped to the floor like a stone.” Mrs Eldersley whispered. “We should never have started this business. His health wasn’t up to it, that’s why we left Mr Belfroy’s employment. It was madness to start up this place, but Mr Belfroy insisted we could do it with his help. Seven months he’s lasted since leaving Mr Belfroy’s employment. He was a good coachman was my Jim.”
Nicola nodded and let her talk if it helped her. She felt for a pulse on Jim Eldersley’s neck. Nothing. The man was dead.
* * *
The tick-tock of the clock on the mantelshelf sounded loud in the quiet room. The logs in the grate shifted, sending golden sparks up the chimney. Outside, the day had turned bitterly cold, but had remained dry for the burial of Jim Eldersley. Nicola gazed around at the seated black-clothed people, Mr Belfroy, Dr Armitage, a neighbour or two and the women lodgers. All held teacups and saucers, and once more Emily went around with the teapot and refilled their cups. If anyone talked it was in muted whispers, as though anything loud would shatter the silent reserve of the dear woman sitting in the chair by the fireplace.
Sighing, Nicola pushed a stray wisp of hair behind her ear and then rubbed the strain from her neck. The last three days had been testing.
For some reason the whole household had looked to her. Somehow, they’d all decided she would be in charge. Without thought, she’d taken the reins of organising the funeral and running the lodging house, but doing so had meant little time for herself, and little time to look for work. Mrs Eldersley, shocked and grieving, had taken to her room and stayed there until this morning, when Meg and Emily had washed and dressed her and led her out to Mr Belfroy’s carriage.
Despite the tragic circumstances, she had enjoyed the position of leader. Her father told her many times in the school room she had a natural talent for leadership. Maybe she should take the teacher’s certificate and become a teacher in a school instead of a governess.
Picking up the tea tray and with a brief