The Virtuous Ward - By Karla Darcy Page 0,33

had returned to his face, he looked tan and healthy despite the missing arm. When the food arrived he ate with deliberation although she suspected his inclination was to cram everything into his mouth. It was apparent that it had been quite awhile since he had eaten and his uniform was much the worse for wear. If not penniless, he was close to it.

"What did you do before the war, Jason?" Amity asked as she sipped her tea.

"Worked for a solicitor. I've a head for numbers, though lot of use that'll do me," he said, bitterness creeping into his voice for the first time.

"Why ever not?"

"There's many a soldier back from the war that finds that there are no jobs available. Can't work without a recommendation and the army's not much of a reference."

"I see," Amity said, exchanging glances with Betta who remembered being in a similar situation. "Are there many men out of work?"

"Plenty, miss, and it's a bleedin' shame. Beggin' your pardon, ladies," he said nodding to Amity and Betta. "There's more coming to London every day and the government has done nothing to provide for ex-soldiers."

"Someone should do something," Amity said, placing her cup in the saucer with a decisive clink of china.

"A few of us have gotten together to pool our resources. Those that got jobs try and help those what ain't."

"Have you tried the agencies?" Betta interjected.

"No good, miss. Not without a character."

"There must be hundreds of jobs in this city," Amity said. "All we'd need to do is locate a few and then as word got out we could find others. I've made a lot of friends since I arrived and I could ask if they have need of any staff."

Jason glanced at Betta as if to ask if her mistress were deranged and the abigail patted his arm for encouragement.

"It's just Miss Amity's way," she said. "She does tend to leap in to things but she's of good heart. I know it's presumptuous of us to intrude on your affairs but in this case I think she might have an idea."

While Betta and Jason had been talking, Amity's mind was busy. She had been feeling quite useless since her arrival in town. Used to managing the affairs of Beech House, she could not spend all of her time in attending parties and shopping. She liked the idea that she could somehow put her talents for getting to know people to some advantage. Her thoughts jumped from one problem to another. Suddenly she looked at Betta and Jason, a wide smile spreading across her face.

"I have just thought of an excellent idea. My guardian has a large staff both in the townhouse and the stables. I can talk to Putnam and see if we might not take on a few extra men. They could work for several weeks and then I will write them a recommendation. The letter need not specify how long they worked for Lord Kampford. Do you think that might work?"

Jason opened his mouth but no words came out. He could not quite believe that she was serious and yet when he glanced at the abigail, the girl nodded her head in agreement.

"I do believe you are an angel," he growled, his voice hoarse. "Would you do that?"

"Well of course I will, Jason. After all you fought for my freedom too, so it's only fair that I do something for you. I shall speak to Putnam this afternoon and you shall send round several men. Now then," she continued, "what shall we do with you?"

"Me, miss?" Jason asked. "I thought I might be one of the servants."

"Piffle. A man good with numbers is hard to find. Let me see." She stared at the table her face pinched in concentration. "Bircher? No. Ah! Burgess. Mr. Johannas Burgess. He's the man for you."

"If I might inquire, miss," Jason said, grinning across at the efficient Miss Fraser. "Just who is Johannas Burgess?"

"Man's an importer I've corresponded with for several years. My estate manager Henderson put me on to him and I've found him quite useful in the past. In fact, if I'm not mistaken," Amity stared out the windows at the busy street beyond, "we're not far from his office."

Once more Jason Conway found himself in the clutches of Betta, while Amity paid the charges and started out the door. He and the little abigail had to hurry to keep up with the rapid footsteps of the bustling Miss Fraser and were breathless by