Heir to Greyladies Read Online Free Page B

providers who’ve died on me now.’ She waited. ‘Well? Will you do it, Auntie Doris? Find her a place in service?’
    The old woman turned to Harriet. ‘What have
you
got to say about this, girl?’
    ‘I don’t know what to say. It’s the first I’ve heard about it.’
    Doris let out a spurt of rusty laughter. ‘That’s our Winifred. Good at organising other folk, whether they want it or not.’
    Harriet took a sudden decision. ‘I think she’s right aboutone thing, though. I can’t stay there. Norris will find a way to trap me if I do, whatever she tells him.’
    ‘Are you a hard worker?’
    ‘Yes, I am.’
    ‘Pity about the scholarship, but there you are. Life doesn’t let you have everything you want.’ She kept them waiting a minute or two longer, then said, ‘All right. But she’ll need an outfit if you want her to get a better sort of job, Winifred. A job that pays more money.’
    Winifred scowled at her. ‘You’ve told me about maids’ outfits before. All those clothes! Who needs that many? No, it’ll cost too much. Just find her a job as a general maid.’
    Doris folded her arms. ‘I don’t deal with that sort of family. If I take her off your hands, it’ll be a big country house she works in. Besides, she’ll soon make up the cost of an outfit. She’ll earn double what she’d make as a general skivvy to some backstreet grocer.’
    Winifred looked at her uncertainly. ‘Double?’
    ‘Yes. And it’ll put those snooty neighbours on your side if they see you treating her well.’ Doris hid a smile. She knew how it galled Winifred that her late husband’s neighbours would hardly give her the time of day. You’d almost think they knew about Winifred’s mother, but the family had been very careful to keep that disgrace secret.
    ‘Do you really think it’ll soften them up?’
    ‘I’m certain of it.’
    ‘Might be worth it, then, because I’m not moving house. James bought it with the insurance money from his wife dying so sudden.’ Another pause, then, ‘You’re
sure
she’ll earn more?’
    ‘Certain. Double. One other thing. If I do this, I get herfirst quarter’s wages.’ She looked challengingly at Winifred as she said that.
    ‘Trust you to demand a share. You always were on the lookout for money.’
    ‘Takes one to recognise one.’
    ‘And after the first quarter, all her wages come to me?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Very well, then.’ She turned to Harriet. ‘I’ll want you to write to that nosy parker next door and tell her how well you’re set up, thanks to me. I’ll have your promise on that before we go any further.’
    ‘But I won’t be well set up if I don’t get paid any money at all,’ Harriet said indignantly.
    Winifred glared at her.
    Doris intervened. ‘You’ll escape from Norris once and for all, young lady. And you’ll be well trained, able to earn a good living. Be grateful for that. They feed you really well in the big houses and there’s always company. Your turn to get the money you earn will come later. Give Winifred your promise or you can go home this minute.’
    Harriet gave in because the thought of living with Norris again made her feel sick. ‘I promise I’ll write to Mrs Leigh.’
    Winifred stood up. ‘Right, then. I’ll be getting back.’
    Doris held up her hand ‘Just a minute. What about her keep while she’s with me?’
    Winifred breathed deeply but stayed where she was. ‘How much?’
    ‘A shilling a day for training and feeding her. Paid weekly, in advance.’
    She fumbled in her purse and slapped two half-crownpieces and a florin down on the kitchen table. ‘There. Seven shillings for this week.’
    ‘More to come next Friday or I bring her straight back to you.’
    Sighing loudly, Winifred nodded.
    Doris escorted her great niece to the door, where they muttered for a moment or two, then she came back to the kitchen, where Harriet was sitting in her chair, her whole body drooping. ‘You’ve had your first lesson today, my