His Lady Mistress

Elizabeth Rolls141Verity bit back all the savage things jostling to be said andconcentrated on the issue. ‘No.’Mrs Henty’s jaw dropped. ‘Madam?’‘No. I won’t dismiss her.’‘But...she’s breeding. She—’‘Made a foolish mistake and ought to spend the rest of herlife paying for some man’s selfish pleasure?’ suggested Veritybitterly. Inside she shuddered. There, but for the grace ofGod and Max’s decency... Poor Sarah. No wonder shelooked ill.‘I’ll be damned if I cast the first stone! Naturally once shecannot carry out her normal duties we will find other, lightertasks for her...perhaps the mending, or she can manage thestillroom. That gives us time to think of ways to help her.And when she is brought to bed, we can make sure—’‘You’d do this for her?’And then Verity noticed. Under the immaculate whiteapron, Mrs Henty’s hands were twisted tightly together. Asif in prayer. And her eyes were bright. Too bright. ‘MrsHenty, does your decision to leave have something to do withSarah’s condition?’The woman’s throat worked convulsively. She nodded. Hervoice came out as a harsh croak. As if she were about to cry.‘Sarah is my...my niece. My sister’s only child. She diedwhen Sarah was three. Childbed. I promised I’d look afterSarah. When she was little I paid for her board in the village.His lordship’s mother gave her the place here when she wasold enough.’ She swallowed hard. ‘She’s only seventeen,ma’am.’Verity nodded and patted the sofa beside her. ‘Sit down,Mrs Henty. You’re obviously upset. Come.’Stiffly, the older woman sat down on the extreme edge ofthe sofa. ‘Very kind of you, madam.’‘Bother my kindness,’ said Verity. ‘Tell me about Sarah.Who is the father? Could his lordship do something to...ifthe man offered marriage and...?’