Page 74 of The Work of Art

“Is she looking for work?”

“I expect she is, ma’am. And she says you’re honor bound to employ her.”

“Honor bound?” Philly laughed as she removed her hat and her gloves. “Who is this person, Mrs. Lamb? Where has she come from?”

“She claims to have come down from London. Arrived in Heycombe just this morning by common stage, if you can imagine. She says her name is Sara.”

Philly received Sara in the morning room. Mrs. Lamb led her in, the housekeeper’s expression as disapproving as it could possibly be. No sooner had the little maid spotted Philly sitting on the settee than she ran to her, throwing herself at Philly’s slippered feet with a terrible sob.

“Oh, Miss Satterthwaite!” she wailed. “Miss Satterthwaite!”

“Heaven’s sake, girl. Get up from there. Get up.” Mrs. Lamb shook Sara by her narrow shoulders.

Philly held up a staying hand. “It’s all right, Mrs. Lamb. You may leave us.”

“But Mrs. Heywood, she’s crushed your skirts. And here you are freshly changed after your ride—”

“All will be well,” Philly said.

Mrs. Lamb clearly wasn’t convinced. She glared at the figure of the sobbing servant once more, and then, with a rigid bow, exited the room.

Sara’s tiny frame was engulfed by a worn, drab cloak, and her mousy blonde hair, formerly neat and clean, was now dirty and in complete disarray.

Philly placed her hand gently on Sara’s back. She was alarmed to feel how much thinner she’d become. “Sara, you mustn’t cry so.”

“Oh, miss.” Sara drew back to wipe her nose on the edge of her cloak. “I didn’t mean to crush your skirts, but I’ve traveled all night, and two villains tried to meddle with me, and if it weren’t for the coachman coming to my aid, I would’ve met with a fate worse than death.” She swallowed another loud sob. “I’ve no money left for anything, miss. I beg you—”

“Hush now.” Philly helped her up. “Here, take this.” She pressed an embroidered handkerchief into her hand. “Now, sit down beside me, and tell me what’s happened.”

Sara wept awhile longer into Philly’s handkerchief, and then slowly, with sniffs and sobs, she began to speak. “I was dismissed without a reference, miss, on account of Mrs. Vale said it was all my fault you ran off with Captain Heywood.” She cried afresh at the memory of such an injustice. “I tried to get work, miss. I went all around the city. Lady Eustace’s housekeeper said I could come on as a scullery maid. A scullery maid, miss!” She gave another wrenching sob. “But after two days, she sent me off again.”

As she listened to Sara, Philly’s conscience grew heavy. She felt a deep sense of having done wrong by the little maid. Whether she’d intended it or not, her actions had resulted in Sara being reduced to her present miserable state. “How long have you been seeking work in London?”

“More than three weeks, miss.”

“Three weeks?” Philly was horrified. “Do you mean you were dismissed directly after I left?”

“Yes, miss. I was made to go on Sunday. I begged to stay one more day, but Mrs. Vale wouldn’t hear of it.” She sniffled. “’Twas very unchristian of them to turn me out on a Sunday.”

“How have you been keeping yourself?”

“Not well, miss. I took a day’s work when I could find it, but no one would have me for long, and twice I was refused my wages. What can I do, miss? I’ve spent everything to come to you, and if you won’t help me—”

“You needn’t distress yourself any further, Sara. I’ve no intention of turning you out.”

Sara began to weep again.

“You’re right,” Philly said. “I’m honor bound to help you.”

The little maid’s face turned bright red. “Oh, Miss Satterthwaite, I had to say it. That housekeeper of yours said she would run me off.”

“It’s perfectly all right. I’m not offended.” Philly took in the whole of Sara’s bedraggled appearance in one comprehensive glance. “Now, it seems to me that before you begin any sort of work you must first have a meal, a bath, and a good night’s rest.”

Sara exhaled a long, trembling breath. “Thank you, miss. God bless you. I knew you’d help me. I always said you were the best mistress—”

“There’s no need for that. As it happens, your arrival is very well timed. You see, I’ve been here almost a month and have yet to employee a lady’s maid.”

“A lady’s maid?” Sara gaped.