Page 84 of The Earl Takes All
Like a little monkey, the lad scrambled down. Mrs.Lark’s face fell. “Oh, look what you did. You got dust all over his clothes. I’ll be happy to give ’em a good washing, Lord Greyling.”
“Actually, Mrs.Lark, that’s part of the reason I’ve come today. I deduced by the lines strung up at the back of your house that you’re a washerwoman.”
“Yes, m’lord. I’d be pleased and honored to do your laundry free of charge for an entire month to thank ye for taking care of us.”
“Not necessary. However, we are in need of a washerwoman at Evermore. I wondered if you might be interested in the position.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “You mean, working for you?”
“For the estate, yes. The countess recently gave birth to a daughter, and as I understand it, the present laundress’s workload has increased somewhat. You would assist her, live within the residence, have three rooms available for you and your children. They would be tutored. Meals and clothing would be provided to your family. I’m also in need of a boot boy if Johnny is interested. You and he would both receive a salary.”
She staggered back. “Caw! Blimey!”
Julia wasn’t surprised by her reaction. Edward was offering them an incredible opportunity to better themselves. She realized while he may have wanted to assure himself that they were well on the road to recovery, his main purpose in coming here was to take further care of this widow and her children.
“I’d be honored, m’lord.”
“Very good. I’ll send a footman along Thursday next to assist you and the children in packing up and moving to Evermore, if that gives you enough time to prepare.”
“Oh, it does indeed.” Tears welled in the woman’s eyes. “I didn’t know how we’d make it with my man gone. Can hardly afford the cottage and food.”
“Well, now you no longer have to worry about it. I’d say a celebration is in order. What say Johnny accompany us to the tea shop for some meat pies?”
“I like pastries,” Johnny announced.
“Johnny, don’t be asking for things,” his mother admonished.
“Nothing wrong in asking, Mrs.Lark,” Edward said. “Worse that’ll happen is that I’ll say no.” He winked at Johnny. “Then again, I might say yes. Come on, lad.”
After grabbing the reins to their horses, Edward offered Julia his arm.
“It was lovely to meet you, Mrs.Lark,” Julia said before placing her hand in the crook of Edward’s elbow.
Johnny hopped on one foot, then the other, darting in front of her before settling in to walk beside Edward. “I can do more than polish your boots,” he assured Edward. “I can take care of your horses and your dogs, if you have dogs. Do you have dogs?”
“We have some hunting dogs, yes.”
“Don’t take care of cats, though. Don’t like cats.”
“Think the cats pretty much take care of themselves. Would you rather work in the stables than in the manor?”
The boy nodded feverishly. “Can I pet your horse?”
“You may.”
“If I work hard will you tell me some more stories?”
She watched Edward’s profile as the corner of his mouth lifted. “I may very well indeed.”
“I liked the weasel best.”
Edward’s laughter echoed around them. “Yes, I imagined you would.”
“Think he should have a sword, though.”
Edward shifted his gaze to her. “What do you think, countess?”
“I don’t know that I see him with a sword. A rapier, perhaps. Or maybe we need another character entirely.” Another one was beginning to take shape in her mind. “You shared the story with him.”
