The Servant by Maggie Richell-Davies

Author:Maggie Richell-Davies [Richell-Davies, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sharpe Books
Published: 2020-04-22T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Nine

I think of what is hidden under the kitchen flagstones. If only I could find the right man to whom to send those letters, and he saw how young the girls were, would he not bring these wicked people to justice?

But what kitchen maid knows people capable of acting against the aristocracy? Then I think of Mistress Buttermere’s neighbour. The magistrate with five little daughters on whom he dotes.

If he believes my evidence, Sir Christopher will be outraged by what is going on and is a man with the power to challenge it.

I know he reads sermons to his family and servants every Sunday evening and is said to be that rare thing, an incorruptible magistrate. One who could take on Chalke and his clients, however high born.

I cannot know if a letter to him will achieve anything, but know I must try.

But I could never approach someone like that myself.

I gnaw my thumb and think that Sir Christopher is unlikely to take notice of a servant girl, even if I were somehow able to confront him. But if a letter in an educated hand was delivered to his house, written on good parchment and spelling out plainly what is being done, that should be a different matter. Especially one enclosing those damning letters and the account book detailing the money changing hands. Not to mention that copy of The Maids’ List with the tender ages of the girls being sold.

There would be immediate repercussions, of course. But since Master Chalke does not know what I took from his desk he surely would not link me to his disgrace. He would likely assume a disappointed customer has made trouble for him.

Such a letter will not be easy to compose. I would have to dredge up the most scholarly words I can remember so that nobody would suspect it the work of a servant whom her master believes can barely scrawl her name.

I think of Mrs Lamb and wish I had her wise counsel, but suspect she would be horrified by my audacity. That she would counsel me to stay quiet and keep my head down.

I am taking a risk, but what choice have I? That girl is only six or seven years old and unprotected. It is time to stop being afraid.

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