Joanna Maitland - A Penniless Prospect

The carriage remained silent. It seemed that Lord Hardinge had had enough of the boy Jamie, at least for the present.

Jamie looked enviously at the abigail, sleeping peacefully alongside her. If only she dared to close her eyes too. She was so tired—and the growing warmth inside the carriage was making her eyelids droop. But it was too great a risk. She dug her fingernails into the palm of her hand. She must not sleep where he might watch her. She must not.

At the next change, the Earl allowed them both a bite to eat and a mug of ale. It tasted foul, and much too strong, but Jamie could find no reason to refuse it. Ten minutes after they had moved off, she began to succumb to the effects of the alcohol and her sleepless night. Her eyes closed, but still she struggled to stay alert.

‘I am glad your brother is asleep, Smithers, for I want to talk to you about him.’

‘Yes, my lord?’

‘From what you have told me, he would make a pretty poor bootboy. Much better to place him as apprentice gardener on a large estate.’

‘Yes, my lord. I intend to do so, if such a situation can be found. But—’

‘It can be. I need just such a boy on my own estate. I shall take him.’

‘I thank you for your offer, but we can’t accept it. You see…’ The abigail’s voice trailed off. She seemed to be fast running out of excuses.

‘Why don’t you tell me the truth, Smithers?’

His slightly raised voice penetrated Jamie’s half-slumber. At the sound of the word ‘truth’, her eyes snapped open.

‘I don’t understand…’ began Smithers.

‘Gammon. You know very well. No woman of your station carries all her worldly goods with her on a three-day trip to Bath. You have been dismissed from your post, I collect, and are hoping to find another in Bath. Well?’

‘It is true, my lord,’ agreed Smithers in a whisper. ‘Lady Calderwood would not keep me at the Hall after your visit. She decided…she believed…’ Her voice tailed off miserably.

‘Indeed? And so both of you are turned out into the world again? I must say it makes me wonder why you will not accept my offer for Jamie.’ There was an edge of irritation in his deep voice as he stared suspiciously at the abigail. The handsomeness of his face in repose had been replaced by a frown which drew his black brows together in a hard line.

Smithers began to stammer a little. ‘I…I was hoping to find a situation where we could be together, so that I could look after him. You know what I mean, I think.’

‘Yes, I do know. There is no need to elaborate. I assure you, he will come to no harm under my roof.’ He paused to look directly at Jamie, who shrank a little under his stern gaze. ‘Very well, Smithers. If I can persuade my mother to re-engage you as her abigail, will you then agree to my proposal for Jamie?’

‘I don’t know.’ She turned to consult Jamie, who nodded quickly, taking no notice of the silent warning in the older woman’s eyes. ‘Since Jamie seems willing—then, yes, if we can stay together, we accept.’

‘Good,’ said the Earl crisply, settling back in his seat. ‘I have no doubt Lady Hardinge will be delighted to have you back in her service. We should be at Harding in about an hour.’ He closed his eyes once more.

Jamie looked anxiously at the abigail, who shrugged impotently. It was now clear to Jamie that his lordship never had intended to take them to Bath, but straight to Harding, his own estate. Jamie felt a prickle of alarm. What did he have in mind for them now?

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