The Virtuous Ward - By Karla Darcy Page 0,34

the time they arrived at their destination.

"I'll just duck in here and have a word with Mr. Burgess. Please to wait, Jason. We shall be out quite soon."

Thus saying she left the astonished man and disappeared up the stairs of the building, followed by her abigail. Jason never knew what was said, but when she returned he had a position starting the next day and a week's advance on his salary for suitable clothing and food. Before he could do more than babble his thanks, she was taking her leave.

"I shall send Betta around with a message if I am successful with Putnam, but I have little doubt he will be happy to cooperate," she said. "We shall meet soon and work out a more thorough plan. Good day, Mr. Conway."

Amity and Betta discussed the problem all the way back to the townhouse. The abigail suggested that she might ask among the servants in other houses and thus widen their circle of opportunity. The servants network was efficient, there was little that went on upstairs that the downstairs brigade was not aware of. Amity was delighted with the whole project and on her arrival went to work cajoling Putnam into hiring a few of the soldiers. Their project was now off to a good start.

A week later her wardrobe began to arrive and Amity was anxious to show off her new garments. Standing in front of the mirror, she felt almost elegant. The lime green walking dress was tailored to show off her slim figure. The darker green trim on the edge of the jacket minimized her height and was repeated at the wrists and again at the bottom of her skirt. Now that she was dressed in style, she was eager to be abroad and accompanied by Betta and the ever-present Muffin made her way out of the townhouse for a walk in the park. It was several hours later that she glanced in dismay at her lapel watch.

"Oh, Betta, we're late for nuncheon again," Amity said, hurrying through the gates of the park. "Lady Grassmere made me promise just two days ago that I would be more careful of the time."

Amity sighed aware of her shortcomings but there were so many sights to see in London that every time she went out she forgot to pay much attention to the passage of time.

"Miss Amity," Betta called, trying to keep pace with the longer strides of her mistress. Even Muffin had fallen behind and the abigail called once again. "Miss Amity, have mercy. I can't keep up with your steps and if his lordship sees you he will not think you are behaving in a proper ladylike manner."

"Blast!"

"Miss Amity!" Betta cried in horror. "You promised his lordship you wouldna say that dreadful word."

Amity stopped so suddenly in her tracks that the hurrying little figure bumped into her back. The sight of the heaving bosom of her breathless abigail brought an expression of contrition to Amity's frowning countenance. She heaved a sigh of resignation.

"It is prodigious difficult to be a lady," Amity muttered. "Every rule seems to contradict another. Don't be late! Don't rush! In faith, Betta, I cannot do both."

The little abigail grinned cheekily at her mistress. "It's a sorry life you lead."

"Hah! Great lot of sympathy you give me." Amity returned the grin then tapped her foot impatiently as she stared at Muffin who was padding his way to join them. "Come along, old fellow. If you cannot hold a better pace than that, we shall leave you behind."

The dog raised reproachful eyes to his mistress' face but did not in any way indicate that he was bothered by the threat. He was almost abreast of the two girls when the sound of loud cursing forced him to stop once more.

"Move, you bleedin' bag of bones!"

A whip cracked and Amity's attention was caught by the sight of a dilapidated cart drawn by a nag of ancient, though not of obvious noble, lineage. The carter was standing up in his seat, in turn berating and whipping the pathetic horse. A feeling of rage filled Amity and without hesitation she stalked to the side of the cart.

"Blast ye! Git along," shouted the carter, laying about with his whip.

"Stop that caterwauling at once, you ruffian!" Amity demanded.

The very unexpectedness of the sight of the fashionably dressed young lady, caused the carter to lose his balance and as his arms flailed to keep from falling off his perch, he dropped the whip.