The Prisoner by Karyn Monk Page A

inexperienced girl with no apparent income to take in a bastard baby in the face of both her stepmother’s and her betrothed’s opposition demonstrated remarkable compassion and courage. “And did the earl hire someone?”
    â€œNo.” Oliver’s expression grew dark. “The miserable swine broke their engagement and walked away. Told everyone that she had gone off her head and he wasn’t to blame for whatever might become of her.”
    â€œThen the viscountess packed up and left as well,” added Doreen. “Which was the best thing, except that she took all of Miss Genevieve’s father’s money with her and dismissed the remaining servants, leavin’ Miss Genevieve with nothing but this old house and a pile of debt.”
    â€œâ€™Twas hard on her, that first year,” said Eunice, placing a fresh batch of oatcakes before Haydon. “Living all alone in this house, with no one to help her or show her how to care for a bairn. The folk who used to pretend they were her friends stopped callin’ upon her or inviting her to their parties and such, because they didn’t want to be tainted with the scandal. Until I finally came to live here, the poor lass was just barely managing, all by herself.”
    â€œHow did you come to be employed here?” asked Haydon.
    â€œWell now, I’m afraid that was another bit of a scandal.” Eunice’s plump cheeks, already pink from the warmth of the fire, reddened with embarrassment. “Miss Genevieve had heard that I was about to be released from the prison, ye see, after servin’ time for stealing a brooch from my former employer, Lord Dunbar.”
    â€œBecause they wouldna pay her a decent wage so she could put some quid aside for when she was too old to work,” interjected Doreen, wanting to make it clear that Eunice had had a very good reason to steal. “Instead they expected to her slave for them from morning ’til night, and then when they’d no more use for her they would toss her onto the street like an old rag without so much as a thank e.”
    â€œMiss Genevieve bundled up Jamie and went down to the prison and asked if she could speak to me,” continued Eunice, smiling affectionately at Doreen. “Very sweet and polite she was, not at all like all the other rich folk I had known. And after we had talked a while, she asked me if I had any plans for when I got out of prison. I told her I hadn’t, but ’twas certain no one would hire me, as I was guilty of stealin’ from my former employer and therefore would forever be considered a dangerous criminal and untrustworthy. And she asked if I might consider coming to live with her and Jamie, and said she hoped I would, because they really needed my help to get along. Made it sound as if I would be granting her a wonderful boon. Said she couldn’t pay me much, but that I would have a warm roof over my head and good food to eat, and if I ever needed more of anything I only had to ask her and she would see if she could provide it. And here I am, thankin’ the good Lord each and every day that he sent Miss Genevieve to me, because if he hadn’t, I dinna know what would have become of me.” She fished an enormous handkerchief out of her apron pocket and dabbed at her eyes, then trumpeted her nose noisily into it.
    â€œThen came the rest of us,” said Doreen, taking up where Eunice had left off. “Miss Genevieve took a special concern for any child that had nowhere to go after spending time in the prison. First came Grace, then Annabelle, then Simon and Charlotte. She asked me to come here after I was jailed for liftin’ a wee bit of brass from the customers at the tavern where I used to work for slave’s wages.” She snorted with contempt, as if it was beyond comprehension how she could have been imprisoned over such a trifling matter. “Said she could really use my help, since I