Reckless Rules (Brambridge Novel 4) by Pearl Darling Read Free Book Online Page B

terribly clumsy. I’m almost as bad at maths as well. I was so sure that losing three paupers and gaining two would mean that your overall people count would only reduce to two hundred and eighty-three. I thought you said that there were only two hundred and eighty- one this month, but then I knocked my cup of tea over as I tried to concentrate on the sums and everything has been swept clean out of my head.” Victoria laughed a little tinkling laugh and opened her eyes wide to project innocence.
    “Lady Colchester, you are quite right.” Mr. Robertson nodded earnestly. “Mrs. Prident, would you be so kind as to explain why your figures do not add up?”
    Victoria watched as Mrs. Prident slid Mr. Robertson a look of loathing from beneath hooded eyelids. “Two of the young ladies ran away ten days ago,” she said, unfolding her arms. “Lena Mickel and Tessa Dunbar.”
    “Tessa Dunbar, but she was my favorite! So very young too,” Mr. Robertson exclaimed. “Whatever can have induced her to leave? I gave her special dispensations at every opportunity.”
    “I’m sure you did,” Mrs. Prident murmured.
    “Are your girls in a habit of running away, Mr. Robertson?” Victoria patted at her hair. “I mean, surely with all the money that we are giving you, none of the paupers can want to leave voluntarily?”
    “No one leaves voluntarily.” The usually cheerful Mr. Robertson narrowed his eyes, reducing his florid face to resemble an angry boar. Noticing that both women were watching him, Mr. Robertson guffawed forcefully and slapped the table. “They probably decided that the life of a streetwalker was more remunerative and comfortable.”
    “Streetwalker?” Victoria was confused, it was the first time that she had heard the term.
    “Prostitute,” Mrs. Prident said quietly. “It’s not illegal and many girls drift between being a pauper and a streetwalker. We may see the girls in a couple of weeks.” She shrugged uncomfortably. “Or, we may not.”
    “I thought you said that Tessa was very young?” Victoria frowned.
    “The legal age of consent is thirteen.” Mrs. Prident coughed. “Many girls end up on the streets.”
    “It’s a shame because I had high hopes for Tessa. Mr. Durnish seemed particularly taken with her when he came to interview for new staff for his house.” Mr. Robertson laughed abruptly. “It just means more room for the rest of the poor.”
    “Quite right,” said Victoria, injecting a saccharine sweetness into her voice. However, it was hard to let the incident go. Mr. Robertson’s callousness was shocking. “Although, is there nothing that can be done to help the poor girls in that situation?”
    Mr. Robertson turned to look at her with surprise. “Help them? They don’t want help. They left of their own accord. They’ll probably make a nice bit of money out there and then come back to us for a holiday. You shouldn’t pity them.”
    Victoria tried to catch Mrs. Prident’s eye, but the woman’s gaze was fixed on the wall opposite her and she would not turn her head.
    Mr. Robertson coughed, the folds of skin at the edge of his face wobbling as he gave a gurgling last rasp. “If that is everything, Lady Colchester?”
    Victoria nodded.
    “Then we look forward to seeing you next month as usual.” Mr. Robertson rubbed his hands. “Now I must go back to looking at those accounts. We don’t get paid much by the parishes to house the poor and it is always a job balancing the incomings and outgoings.” He laughed harshly and stopped. “That is err… without the generosity of your funds, Lady Colchester. Of course.”
    Victoria clenched her fingers tightly around her pelisse and stood, “Of course,” she parroted. With small steps she left the room, brushing past Mrs. Prident who had moved to stand outside the door. Looking up into the dour woman’s face, she was surprised to see a tinge of sadness in her eyes. Victoria had had enough; she craved the safety and comfort of