William Monk 02 - A Dangerous Mourning

you consider taking a position as nurse to LadyMoidore, and observing the family, and if possible learning what she fears so much?”
    She looked uncomfortable. “They may require better references than I could supply.”
    “Would not Miss Nightingale speak well of you?”
    “Oh, certainly—but the infirmary would not.”
    “Indeed. Then we shall hope they do not ask them. I think the main thing will be if Lady Moidore finds you agreeable—”
    “I imagine Lady Callandra would also speak for me.” He relaxed back into his chair. “That should surely be sufficient. Then you will do it?”
    She laughed very slightly. “If they advertise for such a person, I shall surely apply—but I can hardly turn up at the door and inquire if they need a nurse!”
    “Of course not. I shall do what I can to arrange it.” He did not tell her of Callandra Daviot’s cousin, and hurried on to avoid difficult explanations. “It will be done by word of mouth, as these things are in the best families. If you will permit yourself to be mentioned? Good—”
    “Tell me something of the household.”
    “I think it would be better if I left you to discover it yourself—and certainly your opinions would be of more use to me.” He frowned curiously. “What happened at the infirmary?”
    Ruefully she told him.
       Valentina Burke-Heppenstall was prevailed upon to call in person at Queen Anne Street to convey her sympathies, and when Beatrice did not receive her, she commiserated with her friend’s distress and suggested to Araminta that perhaps a nurse would be helpful in the circumstances and be able to offer assistance a busy ladies’ maid could not.
    After a few moments’ consideration, Araminta was disposed to agree. It would indeed remove from the rest of the household the responsibility for a task they were not really equipped to handle.
    Valentina could suggest someone, if it would not be viewed as impertinent? Miss Nightingale’s young ladies were the very best, and very rare indeed among nurses; they were well-bred, not at all the sort of person one would mind having in one’s house.
    Araminta was obliged. She would interview this person at the first opportunity.
    Accordingly Hester put on her best uniform and rode in a hansom cab to Queen Anne Street, where she presented herself for Araminta’s inspection.
    “I have Lady Burke-Heppenstall’s recommendation of your work,” Araminta said gravely. She was dressed in black taffeta which rustled with every movement, and the enormous skirt kept touching table legs and corners of sofas and chairs as Araminta walked in the overfurnished room. The somberness of the gown and the black crepes set over pictures and doors in recognition of death made her hair by contrast seem like a pool of light, hotter and more vivid than gold.
    She looked at Hester’s gray stuff dress and severe appearance with satisfaction.
    “Why are you currently seeking employment, Miss Latterly?” She made no attempt at courtesy. This was a business interview, not a social one.
    Hester had already prepared her excuse, with Callandra’s help. It was frequently the desire of an ambitious servant to work for someone of title. They were greater snobs than many of their mistresses, and the manners and grammar of other servants were of intense importance to them.
    “Now that I am home in England, Mrs. Kellard, I should prefer nursing in a private house of well-bred people to working in a public hospital.”
    “That is quite understandable,” Araminta accepted without a flicker. “My mother is not ill, Miss Latterly; she has had a bereavement under most distressing circumstances. We do not wish her to fall into a melancholy. It would be easy enough. She will require agreeable company—and care that she sleeps well and eats sufficiently to maintain her health. Is this a position you would be willing to fill, Miss Latterly?”
    “Yes, Mrs. Kellard, I should be happy to, if you feel I would suit?” Hester forced herself to be appropriately humble only by remembering Monk’s face—and her real purpose here.
    “Very well, you may consider yourself engaged. You may bring such belongings as are necessary, and begin tomorrow. Good day to you.”
    “Good day, ma’am—thank you.”
    Accordingly, the following day Hester arrived at QueenAnne Street with her few belongings in a trunk and presented herself at the back door to be shown her room and her duties. It was an extraordinary position,