Honor Reclaimed (All About Honor) by Kathleen Reagan Read Free Book Online Page B

later John called
Eirian’s maid into his study.   He
had thought for days about the best way to handle the situation, and had decided
that honesty, as usual, was the best policy.   He knew he was taking a chance, but he trusted his servants
and had come to respect their honesty and judgment in most matters.   “Joan, I do not often find it necessary
to explain myself to the servants, but I feel the need to make an exception to
this rule.   I know what you saw, or
at least what you think you saw, a few weeks hence.   You have always been a trustworthy and loyal servant to my
wife, and as such, I feel like I do owe you an explanation, but first I need a
promise from you that you will keep this conversation strictly between us.   Can you give me your word?”   John held his breath.
    “Yes sir.   You have my word.”   Joan was willing to listen to what he had to say although she could not
imagine anything he had to say would change her feelings.
    “The night that Eirian arrived, I
was in my office where, as you know, I had been drinking heavily most of the
three previous days- since Johane left us.”   John’s voice cracked as it always did when he spoke of his
lost love.   “Eirian came
immediately to my side and put her arms around me trying to comfort me.   In my state, I mistook her for Johane
and thought that she had returned to me.   I forced myself on Eirian; it was in no way her fault.   She was the victim of my drunken
confusion.  
    Once my mind cleared, and I realized
what I had done, I was horrified.   I could not undo the damage and was trying to muddle through the best
way to make things right again.  
    As you might expect, Eirian was in
shock.   I made her drink some
brandy to calm her nerves.   Being
unused to spirits and suffering from the shock of her...” John had trouble even
saying the words, and it came out in almost a whisper, “…rape, I had to carry
her to her room.   I dismissed you
so that you would not see the evidence of what had transpired.   I waited for several minutes thinking
that you had retired; then I slipped back in her room to assist her in
undressing and to repair as much damage as possible. That is how you found
us.   There was nothing I could do
to repair the damage to Eirian physically, but I needed to do what I could to
repair her reputation.  
    I know you loved your mistress and
she was exceedingly fond of you.   I
would hope that you would serve her sister as loyally as you did my wife.   She will need you in the months to come
especially since, as is often known to happen in these circumstances, she is
expecting a baby as a result of that night.   I need you to protect her from gossip among the servants
once her condition is discovered.   Can I count on your loyalty?”
    “Thank you Sir for telling me what
really happened.   The poor little
mistress, innocent as a lamb she was, and I though she was a heartless
strumpet.   When she most needed
another woman to help her deal with her shock I turned my back on her.   I was very angry.   If I could have found another position
by now I would have.   Normally I do
not stoop to gossip, but I fear I would have ruined her reputation as angry as
I was. You have my promise. I will serve the new mistress as I did her
sister.   Can you imagine, two wee
babes in one year?   We will be a
busy household for sure!”   Joan was
so relieved.   She did not want to
leave the home where she had lived happily for the last ten years.   Her master and mistress had been fair
and decent people and she had nearly ruined their reputations.   Well it would be up to her to keep the
staff from speculating when the mistress’s condition became apparent.   It was shocking, but the poor master,
he did not mean to harm the poor little thing and he had done the honorable
thing as soon as possible to try to right his wrong.   Everything would work out for the best, she was just sure of
it.
    “Now, if you would be so