in Ireland, who sadly didn’t offer her a pension and so she had to find a new position. Unfortunately, the situation with the new family didn’t work out and now she is here. She told me quite adamantly that her health had been perfect up until the voyage out when she caught a chill. Since then she has constantly been unwell.”
“I feel at her age she will have trouble finding another position and if her health is bad, then perhaps she will do well to stay here awhile to recuperate. I doubt she should be working at her age. We’ll look after her.” Nicola scanned Mrs Patterson’s details in the agency book. “How has the agency been doing? Any interest from prospective employers?”
“Not too many as yet. The enquiries have been for housemaids. As you can see we have plenty of women listed, but I feel we need to advertise the agency more.”
“I agree.” Nicola took out her diary from the top drawer. “I’ll make arrangements to do that in the morning.”
They talked business for another fifteen minutes until eager for a cup of tea, they left the study and went to the parlour where the women had gathered. While enjoying a splendid morning tea, Nicola chatted to the women, met Mrs Patterson and Miss Nelson and then toured the new building work.
By midafternoon, Nicola was again busy at her desk. Mr Belfroy had been to welcome her back and they had discussed business for an hour and done another tour of the buildings.
Rubbing her neck muscles, Nicola leaned back in her chair. While absent, the Home had gone along smoothly with Florence at its head. She didn’t know whether to be pleased about it or hurt that she was replaceable. Before her marriage, the Home and the women in it had been everything to her. It was difficult to let go of some of the control.
Her thoughts returned to the conversation she had with Frances at breakfast. The mention of Nathaniel’s money disturbed her. She had no real thought to his wealth before and now wondered just how rich he was. He never seemed to be concerned about such things, but then he might be hiding it from her. Money was one subject they had not discussed.
After a slight knock, the door opened and Nathaniel popped his head around. “Am I disturbing you?”
His warm loving smile made her tingle. “No, you aren’t disturbing me.” She rose as he came into the room. “I didn’t expect to see you for hours yet.”
He stepped behind the desk and took her into his arms. She sagged against him as they kissed. There was no better feeling than being held by him. “I missed you.”
She cupped his cheek in one hand. “And I you.”
“Really?” Doubt clouded his eyes.
“I did.”
“I thought you’d have been far too busy to think of me.”
“Even when I’m full of activity I miss you.” She kissed him, seeing the signs now of his lack of confidence where her love was concerned. He’d been damaged by his cold upbringing and it didn’t take much for him to doubt her affections.
“Good.” He caressed her fingers of one hand, kissing each one in turn. “I met with my solicitor and a few other business partners, Jonas Cox and Matthew Wright, but I couldn’t concentrate.”
“Shall we go home?”
“Have you finished here for the day?”
“Yes. There’s always tomorrow.”
He frowned. “I thought we could spend tomorrow together.”
“I promised Fran I’d help at the soup kitchen and I’ve advertisements to place in the newspapers.” She kissed him again, hating to see the disappointment on his face. “I promise you that we’ll spend the day after together.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” He let her go so she could pack away her books and gather her things.
In the carriage going home, Nicola held Nathaniel’s hand, her mind whirling with thoughts on how wealthy her husband might or might not be. By the time they reached the house she’d made the decision to talk to him about it. She knew most women didn’t trouble themselves about finances, but she wasn’t most women. Indeed, she wondered if she’d have a battle on her hands in getting information out of Nathaniel. After all, some gentlemen refused to discuss such matters with their wives, believing it to be none of their business. Would Nathaniel be the same?
In the drawing room, Nathaniel spoke to Mrs Rawlings, and ordered some tea. Nicola nodded at the housekeeper as she left the room and sat down