Tuesday's Child (Heroines Born on Each Day of the Week Book 3) by Rosemary Morris Page A

my desk.” He wrinkled his nose. There had been no need for them to be announced. The smell of stale sweat from their gowns sufficed.
    Seated again, he looked thoughtfully at them. Of course, he knew each member of his congregation but, until now, he had not taken particular notice of Bessie Cooper, a plump young woman with thick black hair. 
    “I am pleased to see you at liberty, Miss Cooper.” He sat down. “Please tell me how I can help you and Mrs Cooper.”
    Bessie looked at her mother, who nodded at her. “The earl wrote to me, sir.”
    “You can read?”
    “Yes, sir, my parents paid for me to learn the three R’s at the dame school in the village.”
    “Do you want to tell me what the earl wrote?”
    Bessie nodded. “His lordship ordered me to go back to the abbey.” Clearly ill at ease, she fidgeted on her chair. “Mind you, sir, he only wants me to because Lord Arthur has been ill and is asking for me.”
    “Disgraceful, I call it, Mister Markham.” Mrs Cooper sniffed, presumably to express her disgust. “Not even an apology for Bessie’s arrest.
    Dominic did not find that hard to believe. Pennington was much too high in the instep to express regret for wrongful arrest to a servant. He waited for the women to speak.
    “Disgraceful,” Mrs Cooper repeated. She nodded her head, emphasising the word. “The thing is, if Bessie doesn’t return to the abbey she won’t have a reference. I’m sure you know, sir, that without one she won’t be able to find another position.”
    “Ma’s right, Mister Markham.” Bessie shuddered. “Maybe I shouldn’t say that I don’t think the earl’s right in the head.” She hesitated before she spoke again. “Only someone who is hare-brained would encourage Lord Arthur to think he can do no wrong. It’s wicked. The earl’s ruining the child.” She leaned forward. “What’s more, Lord Castleton’s mother’s the sweetest lady imaginable. Unlike her pa-in-law she’s never too proud to be polite to us servants. I’m sorry for her.”
    Dominic frowned. “Why do you pity her ladyship?” he asked, more loudly than he had intended.
    “Whenever she punishes Lord Arthur for being naughty, the earl objects. Now, please tell me what to do, sir. I’ve too many younger brothers and sisters for ma and pa to keep me at home.”
    An image of Bessie’s younger brothers and sisters, with faces scrubbed until cheeks, rosy as apples, lined up in a pew on Sundays, formed in Dominic’s mind. Probably, the Coopers could not afford to clothe and feed Bessie as well as the rest of their large brood. “Miss Cooper, I think you and your mother already know you should return to Clarencieux to take care of Lord Castleton.”
    “Yes, we do.” Mrs Cooper clasped her hands in front of her ample bosom. “Despite his lordship’s wishes, my daughter doesn’t want to go back there, so I did think you might give Bessie a reference, you being the rector and all.”
    “I am sorry, Mrs Cooper, I could not because Bessie has not worked for me. However, if she decides not to return to work for the earl I can ask Lady Castleton to provide one.”
    Mother and daughter exchanged glances. “Well, sir, begging your pardon,” Mrs Cooper began, “we hoped you could recommend Bessie to a lady in need of a nursemaid.”
    “I am sorry; I don’t know of one. Perhaps my sister does. I shall ask her.” He stood to indicate they should leave. “Tomorrow, I shall call on Lady Castleton on Bessie’s behalf.”
    Mother and daughter stood. “Thank you, Mister Markham,” Bessie said, “you’re kind.”
    Mrs Cooper nodded. “Yes, sir, you are. If my Bessie hadn’t been freed, I know you would have done everything you could to help her.”
    Before they could say more, Dominic pulled the bell rope to summon a maidservant to show the pair out.
    Alone, he opened the window to admit fresh air and breathed in the fragrance of honeysuckle, lavender and roses. He smiled. It would be a pleasure