Jade Lee - [Bridal Favors 03] by What the Bride Wore Page B

lift and carry.” She shook her head. This boy was too young, and if the mother was ill, the girl was needed to care for her brother.
    Meanwhile, Father Michael was clearly thinking hard. “I might know of someone, though most boys who are presentable in an elevated household are already apprenticed.”
    “I can read,” said the little girl. “Mama taught me.”
    Irene smiled. “Well, aren’t you a clever girl. How old are you?”
    “Ten years, my lady,” she said in a clear voice. “I know my numbers too and have a good memory. Mama teaches me all sorts of things, but she’s been too tired lately.”
    Irene glanced at Father Michael. “What has the mother been doing?”
    “Looking for work, mostly. But no one wants to hire a woman with two children in tow.”
    “Of course not.” Irene sat down, pleased at the solidness of the heavy worktable. At least that was as it ought to be, but everything else showed desperate need. Very odd, given the age and standing of this church.
    She focused on the little girl. “What’s your name?”
    “Carol Owen, my lady. And my brother is Gavin, after my father.”
    “Lovely names. Tell me a bit about your life, will you Carol? What did you do yesterday?”
    The girl started talking. Her eyes were huge, and she kept looking to Father Michael for her answers. He didn’t do anything but give her an encouraging nod. And as she spoke, Irene’s heart broke into a thousand little pieces. The girl and her family were indeed in terrible straits. And when Irene’s rude interrogation ended, Father Michael set a gentle hand on the child’s head.
    “The need is real, Lady Irene.”
    Irene sighed. “Is the church really in danger of being closed?”
    Father Michael nodded grimly. “I’m afraid so.”
    She winced. “I cannot help you more, Father Michael. I am but one woman and…” And she’d just spent all her money buying Mr. Grant’s goods.
    “Lady Irene—”
    “Stop calling me that. Everyone knows me as Mrs. Knopp. I should prefer to keep it that way.”
    “Er, of course, my—er, Mrs. Knopp. Is there not—”
    She held up her hand, effectively silencing the man as she studied Carol. “I am not a grand patroness, Father Michael. You have just received my last coin but…” She bit her lip. She could do small things, could she not? In a small way. “I have need of a smart girl with a good memory.” It was her third lie of the day, but it was one she hoped God would not damn her for. She had no real need for a too thin, too young girl, even if she was the cleverest child on the planet. She’d come here looking for a strong boy. But who was she to discount a child merely because of her sex? She knew better than most that a smart girl could do the work of ten dumb boys.
    Meanwhile, Father Michael was eyeing her with a frown on his face. In time, it grew irritating enough that she exhaled a long breath. “What is your worry, Father Michael?”
    “The family needs steady income, my—Mrs. Knopp. Steady pay, not a grand gesture today and—”
    “And disappear tomorrow. Yes, I am all too aware of that particular nightmare.” Her father had been a master of the grand gesture. Wild extravagance today, only to have nothing more for weeks, if not months. She had learned young not to trust grand gestures. So she crouched before Carol. “I have need of a secretary. You could be that, child, provided you know your sums, can read tolerably well, and have an excellent memory. Those are things you have promised me Carol. Were you lying?”
    Carol mutely shook her head.
    “Good. I shall have Father Michael test you though. And you will have to stay home to help your mother until she is better. Then you may come to my address, and we shall see if you will fit my needs.” She straightened, her heart twisting at the sight of the children before her. “I cannot keep your church open, Father,” she said softly. “But perhaps I can help Carol.”
    And with that, she left