spying one of the kitchen helpers laying out a tray, “I need to speak to someone.”
She hurried away before either one could respond. A short, plump girl positioned a new array of delicacies on the table, then picked up the empty tray to return to the house.
“Excuse me, miss, I’m wondering if you would take me to your cook. I need to speak with her.”
“Mrs. Williamson?”
“Yes. I very much need to talk to her.”
The girl shrugged and led the way to the lower level summer kitchen. Mia looked about, keenly aware of how out of place she was among the workers. Their discomfort at seeing such an elegantly clad woman of means among their number was evident.
“You’re Miss Stanley, aren’t you?” a matronly woman questioned.
Mia immediately recognized her. “I am. And you’re Mrs. Williamson. I remember you from several months back when Prudence invited me to take tea. The rest of the house staff was gone and you served us yourself. The dried apple tarts were particularly delicious.”
The women smiled at this. “What can I do for you? Mary said you wanted to speak with me.”
“Yes, but it would be best in private. Could we speak alone? I promise it will only take a moment of your time.” The older woman looked confused, but she nodded and led the way to the pantry.
“So . . . what can I do for you, Miss Stanley?”
Mia gently took hold of the woman’s arm, hoping to put her at ease. “I want to speak of a delicate matter. I am trying to help a group of women who are suffering a terrible injustice. No one must know about my involvement, or I fear my family will put a stop to it. If they do, then I am afraid more women will suffer.”
“I’m sure I don’t understand.”
Mia drew a deep breath. “I am helping the seamen’s wives who find themselves oppressed for payment when their husbands go to sea and leave debt behind. I recall you mentioned a sister who is married to a sailor.”
“That’s true, but they are good people and work hard to keep no debt,” Mrs. Williamson said proudly.
“I am certain they do. However, I was wondering if your sister might be willing to speak to me—perhaps to come here one day while I visit Prudence. Then we could talk about those she knows who are suffering. Are you familiar with Godey’s Lady’s Book ?”
“Of course.”
“Well, Mrs. Hale, the lady editor, is concerned with the plight of the women who have married seafarers. It is a common problem for them to be pressed into service and beyond for the repayment of debt. It is especially hard on the children, and we wish to see some type of legal protection for these families.”
Mrs. Williamson seemed to consider her statement for several moments. “I think Nancy would want to help if she could. She comes to see me on Friday afternoons. If you can arrange to be here, I will speak to her.”
Mia squeezed the older woman’s arm. “Thank you so much. I know it will help. I’ll talk to Prudence and make arrangements to be here. What time would be good?”
“Let’s say three. That will allow for Mrs. Brighton to be away, as she has her regular afternoon outings at that time.”
Mia appreciated Mrs. Williamson thinking of such a thing. “Again, thank you. I will make the arrangements to call on Prudence at that time.” The sound of glass shattering in the kitchen drew their attention back to the present.
Mrs. Williamson frowned. “I’m needed.”
Mia made her way back to the party and spoke with several of her friends while mingling among the crowd. The early evening had turned quite pleasant and even the bugs were staying away—a rarity indeed.
“There you are. I thought perhaps you had deserted the party,” Garrett said, taking hold of her arm. “Or at least deserted me.”
“Now, why would I do that? I’ve simply been speaking to my friends.”
“Well, I’m a friend, so you can speak with me.”
“Where is Miss Monroe? Did you enjoy your time with her?”
Garrett
She hurried away before either one could respond. A short, plump girl positioned a new array of delicacies on the table, then picked up the empty tray to return to the house.
“Excuse me, miss, I’m wondering if you would take me to your cook. I need to speak with her.”
“Mrs. Williamson?”
“Yes. I very much need to talk to her.”
The girl shrugged and led the way to the lower level summer kitchen. Mia looked about, keenly aware of how out of place she was among the workers. Their discomfort at seeing such an elegantly clad woman of means among their number was evident.
“You’re Miss Stanley, aren’t you?” a matronly woman questioned.
Mia immediately recognized her. “I am. And you’re Mrs. Williamson. I remember you from several months back when Prudence invited me to take tea. The rest of the house staff was gone and you served us yourself. The dried apple tarts were particularly delicious.”
The women smiled at this. “What can I do for you? Mary said you wanted to speak with me.”
“Yes, but it would be best in private. Could we speak alone? I promise it will only take a moment of your time.” The older woman looked confused, but she nodded and led the way to the pantry.
“So . . . what can I do for you, Miss Stanley?”
Mia gently took hold of the woman’s arm, hoping to put her at ease. “I want to speak of a delicate matter. I am trying to help a group of women who are suffering a terrible injustice. No one must know about my involvement, or I fear my family will put a stop to it. If they do, then I am afraid more women will suffer.”
“I’m sure I don’t understand.”
Mia drew a deep breath. “I am helping the seamen’s wives who find themselves oppressed for payment when their husbands go to sea and leave debt behind. I recall you mentioned a sister who is married to a sailor.”
“That’s true, but they are good people and work hard to keep no debt,” Mrs. Williamson said proudly.
“I am certain they do. However, I was wondering if your sister might be willing to speak to me—perhaps to come here one day while I visit Prudence. Then we could talk about those she knows who are suffering. Are you familiar with Godey’s Lady’s Book ?”
“Of course.”
“Well, Mrs. Hale, the lady editor, is concerned with the plight of the women who have married seafarers. It is a common problem for them to be pressed into service and beyond for the repayment of debt. It is especially hard on the children, and we wish to see some type of legal protection for these families.”
Mrs. Williamson seemed to consider her statement for several moments. “I think Nancy would want to help if she could. She comes to see me on Friday afternoons. If you can arrange to be here, I will speak to her.”
Mia squeezed the older woman’s arm. “Thank you so much. I know it will help. I’ll talk to Prudence and make arrangements to be here. What time would be good?”
“Let’s say three. That will allow for Mrs. Brighton to be away, as she has her regular afternoon outings at that time.”
Mia appreciated Mrs. Williamson thinking of such a thing. “Again, thank you. I will make the arrangements to call on Prudence at that time.” The sound of glass shattering in the kitchen drew their attention back to the present.
Mrs. Williamson frowned. “I’m needed.”
Mia made her way back to the party and spoke with several of her friends while mingling among the crowd. The early evening had turned quite pleasant and even the bugs were staying away—a rarity indeed.
“There you are. I thought perhaps you had deserted the party,” Garrett said, taking hold of her arm. “Or at least deserted me.”
“Now, why would I do that? I’ve simply been speaking to my friends.”
“Well, I’m a friend, so you can speak with me.”
“Where is Miss Monroe? Did you enjoy your time with her?”
Garrett
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