To Love Anew (22 page)

Taking a deep breath, she walked up the steps and opened a door, which led to an enclosed porch. Uncertain just what to do, she moved into a kitchen that smelled of freshly baked bread. She breathed deeply. Her mouth watered and she realized she was hungry.

A stout, no-nonsense-type woman appeared. “Are you the new maid?” she asked, wiping her hands on an apron.

“Yes. The driver told me to come in. And so I have.”

“Wait here. I’ll let Mrs. Atherton know you’ve arrived.” The woman disappeared and a few moments later returned. “You’re to meet with her in the study.” Her eyes lingered on Hannah. “Best leave the bag here.”

Hannah was keenly aware of her unkempt appearance. She set down the bag and tried to smooth her soiled dress. “I would have bathed if I could have and combed my hair some. I’m straight from the factory.”

“Yes, of course.” The woman walked toward the interior of the house.

Hannah followed. While hurrying after her, Hannah nervously brushed at her skirt; the grime clung tenaciously.

The woman opened a door and stepped inside.

Hannah hung back.

“Come in. Mrs. Atherton can’t speak to you out in the hallway.” Her voice was sharp.

Hannah swallowed hard and walked into a large study. The walls were lined with crowded bookshelves. The furniture was stout and dark, and a grand fireplace took up a large portion of the opposite wall. Mrs. Atherton sat behind a substantial-sized desk. She
was
the woman who had visited the gaol in Port Jackson.

Mrs. Atherton stood. “Hannah. How nice to see you again.”

“I wondered if it was you,”Hannah said, her spirits lifting.

“And I wasn’t certain you were the young woman from Port Jackson. I thought possibly.” She smiled. “I’m sure you’ll be glad to know that Lottie is doing quite nicely at the Parnells.”

“I’m pleased to hear that. I think of her often.” Hannah wondered how far away the Parnells lived. Would it be possible for her to see Lottie? “They seemed like fine people,” she said.

“They are, indeed.” Mrs. Atherton sat. “As you’ve been told, I’m in need of a housemaid. And you’ve come highly recommended.”

If it wasn’t Mrs. Atherton who recommended me, then who was it?
Hannah wondered, then decided all that mattered was that she was here. “It will be a pleasure to work for you, Mrs. Atherton.”

“We’ll get you settled.” She scrutinized Hannah. “Of course you’ll need more appropriate attire. And a bath will do nicely, I should think. I’ll have a gown brought over.”

“I am a sight,” Hannah said, looking down at herself. “I apologize, but we weren’t allowed to bathe but twice a year.”

“Here you’ll bathe every week. And you’ll have a cottage of your own.”

A cottage of my own?
Hannah could barely imagine such a luxury.

“The housemaid is often called out at unexpected times,” Mrs. Atherton continued. “It’s a position with a good deal of responsibility. You’ll be in charge of overseeing the proper upkeep of the entire house, including cleaning and laundry. And if we have guests, it will be your task to see they are made comfortable and that all their needs are seen to.” She settled more deeply into her chair. “Do you think you can do that?”

“Of course. It will be a privilege.”

Mrs. Atherton smiled. “Well, I think it best that you get yourself settled, then. You’ll begin tomorrow.”

Hannah fit in nicely at the Atherton estate. The work was not difficult, and once her experience as a seamstress was discovered, she took on responsibilities in that area as well. It was pure delight to bathe regularly and to wear clean clothing. When she burned her prison rags, it felt like a celebration.

The house servants shared most of their meals, although Hannah was allowed to eat in her cottage when she chose to. She enjoyed gathering around the kitchen table with the others who worked in the house. She liked them all quite well, even the woman she’d met her first day. Elvine could be a bit brusque, but she was fair-minded and, as it turned out, good company. Gwen, the scullery maid, was young and pleasant to be around. Like Hannah, she’d come from the factory. Hannah enjoyed her lively antics and youthful outlook. The houseman, Dalton Keen, could be a bit intimidating. He was tall and quiet. But all in all a pleasant fellow.

Hannah’s first meal there was more than she could have hoped for. When a thick mutton stew with fresh bread was set on the table, she thought that perhaps God hadn’t forgotten her after all. She spooned up a bite of the stew enjoying the mix of flavors—vegetables with lots of meat. “I had no notion that stew could taste so delicious.”

Elvine tried not to smile. “I pride myself on my cooking. It’s not always easy here at the end of the world. I sometimes have to make do with what’s handy.”

Hannah took a bite of bread. It was fresh and soft. “I doubt I’ve ever tasted bread this good.” She took another bite.

“I dare say, there’s lots of bread just like it round about. I imagine your exuberance comes from having so little during your captivity.” She eyed Hannah. “You could use a bit more meat on your bones.”

“I’m quite willing to do all that is required to accomplish that.” Hannah smiled and then settled down to her meal, eating every bite. When she left the table she was overly full. That night for the first time in many months, she went to bed without feeling hungry. She snuggled down on a cushioned bed beneath plentiful blankets and slept soundly. When she awoke the next morning, she forgot for a moment where she was. When she remembered how her life had changed, she was eager for the day.

This was wash day, and Hannah helped Gwen with the laundry. There was a pile the size of a small mountain. They were responsible for washing bedding, towels, and all the clothing for those who lived and worked on the premises.

“It’s a terrible lot,” Gwen said. “Can’t imagine how much there would be if the Athertons had children.”

“They don’t have any?”

“Not a one.”

“Do you know why?”

“No. No one ever said. But I’m certain Mrs. Atherton would have made a fine mother.”

“I agree. She’s very kindhearted and she’s helped orphans at the gaol find homes. In fact, a little girl I knew . . .” Hannah stopped, for the thought of Lottie raised a lump in her throat. Swallowing away the hurt, she continued. “Mrs. Atherton helped her find a home.” She dropped a sheet into a basket. “I wonder why she never adopted any herself.”

“Can’t say.”

Hannah was still puzzling over that question when she headed outside with a basket of clothes. She set the basket on the ground and then straightened, breathing in the country air. It was comfortably warm. A breeze caught at the eucalypt trees, stirring up their sharp fragrance.

Hannah moved along the clothesline, taking pins from her pocket and securing items. While hanging one of Elvine’s aprons, she heard someone walking through the dry grass behind her.

“Hannah?”

She looked over her shoulder and then turned to stare at the man approaching. Was it John? He looked quite different—well dressed, clean shaven, and his dark hair cut and pulled back away from his face. It was him. She gasped. “John?” Quickly pinning the apron, she turned to face him. “It can’t be you. I don’t believe my eyes.”

He smiled broadly and moved toward her. “It’s me all right.” He reached for Hannah, lifted her, and held her in his arms. “I thought it was you, but I wasn’t sure.” He set her back on her feet.

Hannah smoothed her skirt and her hair, uncertain just what to do. It was inappropriate for him to embrace her in such a fashion.

“I’m sorry for my enthusiasm.” He gazed at her, adoration lighting his hazel eyes. “I just couldn’t believe it was you. I told Mr. Atherton about you, but he never said that you’d been put to work here.”

“I wondered who’d told him about me. Mrs. Atherton said I’d come highly recommended.” She barely managed to keep her smile modest. “Thank you kindly for rescuing me from the factory.”

“That’s where you ended up, then? I’m sorry. Heard it’s a dreadful place.”

“That it is. Lydia’s still there. I’ve been hoping to find a way to rescue her. It really is horrible.”

“Perhaps there’ll be need for more help here.”

“Perhaps.” Hannah studied John’s angular face. “I’ve never seen you cleaned up.”

“Better?”

“Yes. Much.”

“And I’ve never seen you looking quite so beautiful.” He couldn’t conceal his admiration.

Hannah felt her face redden. “How is it that you came to work here?”

“Mr. Atherton heard about my tooling skills. He needed a man and hired me off a road crew. I’m overseeing the toolmaking as well as taking care of some other business responsibilities.”

“You’ve done well then since I last saw you.” She folded her arms over her chest. “I’m happy for you.”

“God has been good to me. Life’s not so bad after all, eh?”

“Not so bad,” she said, though she hadn’t forgotten how ugly and cruel it could be. And might be again. If she made a mistake or if the Athertons discovered the secret of how despicable she really was, she could end up back at the factory. “I best get to my work. It’s wash day and the pile of clothes is tremendous.”

“Right. Of course.” John remained where he was. “So I’ll see you about, then?”

“I should think so.” Remembering that John didn’t know how wicked she could be, she felt an inexplicable malaise.

He lingered. “Would you consider taking a walk with me tonight after dinner?”

“Is that allowed?”

“We’re permitted to move about freely. Mr. Atherton has no fear that we’ll run off. Where would we go, after all? And he’s good to us. A man would be a fool to leave.”

“All right. I’ll walk with you.”

“After dinner, then.” John moved away, then stopped and waved.

Hannah waved back. The old fears and self-loathing threatened to strangle her joy. She refused to allow it. This was a moment to be savored.

19

Pulling a shawl around her shoulders, Hannah hurried to the main house. She stepped carefully to avoid puddles from the previous night’s rain. Guests were expected four days hence, and a long list of duties awaited her; the flatware and silver needed polishing and Mrs. Atherton’s gown still waited for final touches. There were also the daily chores that must be completed, including preparation of the guest rooms.

When she stepped onto the back porch, she stumbled into Elvine who was leaning over a basket of clothing. “Forgive me,” Hannah said. “I’m in a rush.”

“No harm done.” She folded a dress and laid it in the basket.

Gwen set an empty basket on a table. “Why in such a hurry?”

“I’ve a great deal to do before the guests arrive.”

“We’ve all a lot to do.” Gwen smiled. “It’s always this way when the Athertons host an event.”

Elvine brushed back graying hair and studied a shelf piled with clothing. “I’ve got pies and cakes to bake. Plus I need to sort through these dresses. There are more than usual this time ’round—for the ladies.”

“More than usual? For what?”

“Mrs. Atherton is going to the Female Factory today. She drops in from time to time, seeing to the needs of the prisoners.”

“Yes, of course. I first met her at the gaol in Port Jackson.” Elvine glanced outside at the dark sky. “I’m glad she’s going no farther than the factory today. The weather’s looking dreadful.”

“Do you think she needs help?”

“Certainly.” She eyed Hannah. “You thinking of going, eh?”

“Possibly.”

“And what about your duties, then?”

“I’ll work later tonight and start earlier tomorrow.” Hannah needed to go. If Lydia was still there, this was an opportunity to see her.

“I don’t think it wise for anyone to go out there. Heard they’ve an outbreak of sweating sickness.”

“Disease is part of a convict’s life. It’d be difficult to find a time when there wasn’t an outbreak of some sort.”

“I’ll never set foot in that place again,” Gwen said. “It was a horrible time I had there. And I don’t need to be reminded of them days.”

“I understand, but I’ve a friend still there,” Hannah said, moving toward the kitchen. “I’ll speak to Mrs. Atherton and see if I can be of assistance. Do you know where she is?”

“In the study. I believe she’s looking for books to take with her.”

Hannah hurried to the study where she found Mrs. Atherton standing on a chair and reaching for a book on a top shelf. It seemed a precarious position for one of her age and plump figure. “Do be careful.” She moved toward her mistress.

“I’ve got it.” Mrs. Atherton grasped a book and held it against her chest. With one hand on the back of the chair, she gingerly climbed down. Blowing on the cover, she said, “Dusty on the top shelves.”

“Sorry, mum. I’ll make sure it’s taken care of.”

“I’m sure you will.” She smiled. “You look in good humor this morning. Did you sleep well?”

“I did, indeed.”

“Good.” She added the book to an already full crate and then stooped to lift the box.

“I’ll carry it,” Hannah offered.

“Thank you, dear. I’m not quite as robust as I once was.” She stepped back as Hannah hefted the box. “Can you take it to the back porch? I’ll have Mr. Keen load it into the carriage.”

The box pressed against her abdomen, Hannah headed for the porch. Mrs. Atherton followed.

“Elvine said you’re going to the Female Factory today.”

“I am.”

“Could you use some assistance? I’d be honored to accompany you. I know some of the ladies and could be of service to you there.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

Hannah stepped into the kitchen. “It’s charitable of you to assist the ladies.” She pushed against the door leading to the porch and set the box on a table. “I remember when you came to Port Jackson. I was much encouraged by your visit. . . .” Her voice caught. “Knowing that someone cared meant a lot.”

“I feel badly for the women and especially the children. So many were transported without just cause. I do very little for them, but I pray my presence brings a bit of pleasure into their dismal lives.”

She peered out the porch door. “It would be best to take the carriage. It’s miserable weather. I do hope the rain holds off.” Mrs. Atherton glanced back at Hannah. “Having your company will be an added blessing today.”