Echoes of a Promise by Ashleigh Bingham

Author:Ashleigh Bingham [Ashleigh Bingham]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780709094814
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 2011-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

‘Oh, no, Victoria! She can’t possibly remain here,’ he said, when she presented him with Molly’s predicament. ‘You mustn’t meddle. It’s a matter for the regiment to handle. This child is not your responsibility!’

‘Oh yes, she is, Nigel. An unprotected girl is the responsibility of all decent people.’ She looked at him squarely. ‘From what I’ve learned about your Maud, I’m certain that she would have had no hesitation in doing all she could to help Molly Collins. It’s just a matter of deciding what will be best for her.’

When Kitty arrived for dinner and heard the story, Victoria immediately gained an ally. ‘Nigel, my darling, we need to consider this carefully, so you must write to the chaplain right away to say that Molly Collins is here, but a little unwell and not fit to be moved until Mrs Latham deems it advisable.’

While Nigel went into his study and put pen to paper as she’d directed, Kitty and Victoria began searching for a possible solution.

‘If only we could find another woman to take her in – a capable, tolerant woman – kind, but firm,’ Kitty said.

‘And if the Regimental Benevolent Fund isn’t prepared to pay for Molly’s board and lodging for a few years, I’ll do it myself,’ Victoria added.

They drew up a list of names. It was a very short list that was quickly whittled down to one: Mrs Pettigrew, wife of the deputy health officer.

‘Oh, it’s hopeless!’ Kitty threw down her pencil. ‘Mrs Pettigrew is leaving here in two weeks. She’s taking Oliver home to start school.’

‘Well, my dears,’ Nigel said when he rejoined them, ‘I’ve sent a message to the chaplain, though you must realize that keeping Molly here for a few more days is merely delaying the inevitable. This can’t become her haven.’

Victoria frowned as she scribbled mindless circles on the pad. Nigel was right: Molly needed to find a haven. Just as she, herself, had needed a haven following that dreadful night in Hanover Square when her parents cast her out of their lives.

But she’d found her haven at Cloudhill with Emily and Martin. If only she could talk to Martin about Molly Collins.

She voiced those thoughts to Nigel. ‘Can’t you just imagine Molly being cared for at Cloudhill and going off to the village school each morning? Perhaps Mrs Frost could train her to become a parlour maid, or she might be given work with Mrs Dobson in the kitchen and even learn to cook if she showed some aptitude.’

Nigel agreed. ‘Any girl with a good reference from Cloudhill would have no difficulty finding employment in any great house.’

Victoria chewed her bottom lip. ‘But even if Mrs Pettigrew said that she was willing to take Molly back to England with her in a fortnight, I can hardly pack the poor girl up and send her over there without first writing to Martin and Emily and asking if they’d be prepared to find a place her at Cloudhill. Even if they said yes, it would take – oh, I don’t know how long to hear back from them.

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