The Shipbuilder's Wife by Jennifer Moore

Author:Jennifer Moore [Moore, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-06-12T21:37:03+00:00

Chapter 13

“MISS LYDIA, WAKE UP, IF you please.” Francine shook Lydia’s shoulder as she whispered.

Lydia cracked open her eyes and saw her maid standing beside her bed wearing a wide smile. She stretched and sat up, glancing at the window. Morning had come, but it was still early. “Francine, what’s happened?” She couldn’t imagine a reason for the maid to shake her awake.

“I’m sorry, I just couldn’t wait to thank you.” Francine pulled her into a tight embrace.

Not knowing what else to do, Lydia squeezed her in return. “Thank me? Whatever for?”

Francine pulled back, holding on to Lydia’s arms. Her brown eyes were wet with tears. “Henrietta and Ezra arrived this morning.” She pulled Lydia into another embrace. “Thank you.”

Warmth covered Lydia’s heart. “I did not know. Jacob must have . . .” The heat spread, covering her cheeks as she remembered the night before. She’d slept, warm and comforted in her husband’s embrace, listening to the reassuring sound of his heart. She couldn’t stop a giddy smile from growing at the memory. Jacob must have risen early. But perhaps he’d not left for the shipyard just yet. She threw off the blankets.

Francine crouched down to pick up pieces of glass.

“Don’t worry about the lamp, Francine. Help me to dress. I want to find Jacob.” She walked on her toes, careful to avoid the glass, and sat at the dressing table. “And welcome Henrietta and Ezra, of course.”

Twenty minutes later, Lydia skipped down the stairs. Her grin hadn’t faded, and her heart felt light. She found Henrietta and Ezra in the kitchen with Mrs. Pembroke. The two newest additions to the household staff looked uncertain.

Henrietta curtsied when she saw Lydia, and Ezra bent forward in a bow.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Lydia said. “You will love Annapolis.”

“Mr. Steele has given us freedom papers,” Henrietta said. Her brows pinched together, and she looked bewildered by the unexpected circumstance.

Lydia smiled, feeling proud that Jacob had done something so selfless. He really was wonderful. “We do hope you agree to remain here in our employ—you have the choice now, you know.”

Ezra looked at his mother, his young eyes still harboring suspicion.

“Thank you,” Henrietta said.

“Mrs. Pembroke and Francine will show you your duties,” Lydia said. “And Ezra, we have no gardener on staff, and the park needs quite a lot of work. Once you’ve had an opportunity to look it over, we can discuss what assistance you need.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He watched her cautiously, as if waiting for the truth of the situation to be revealed.

He would realize soon enough that all of this was real, she decided. She bid the servants farewell and went in search of Jacob.

Maggs stood in the front hall looking out through the curtains. He turned and inclined his head when Lydia approached.

“Has Mr. Steele left for the shipyard?” she asked.

“No, madam.” He lifted his hand toward the doors on the other side of the hall. “I believe he is in the library.”

Lydia thanked him. Her heart flitted around inside her chest.

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