Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(44)

Edward began to panic. There was no money and very little food. He hoped the man who wanted to buy their furniture would come back. He’d sell every stick if it meant they could eat for a few weeks.

Edward told Penelope he was walking into town to get a job. He would see Father Stevens. The priest saw everyone in town every Sunday. He must know who needed help.

Penelope nodded. “Ask about jobs for girls. I learn fast, and I work hard.”

Edward nodded although he had no intention of asking the priest to find a job for Penelope.

“How are you faring there? I keep meaning to visit, but there have been a few difficult problems here that I couldn’t turn my back on. How is your mother?”

Edward didn’t know how much Father Stevens would like to know, but Edward wanted to unburden himself, and he needed to purge.

“My mother hasn’t been doing well. She is slowly coming out of her shock. Penelope and I have to each take an arm to move her from one room to the next. She is beginning to speak; she will eat some of the time, and will have tea with Penelope.

“We are out of food and have no money. Is there anyone in need of a hard-working boy? I need to buy the family food.”

The priest grimaced. “I don’t know of anyone looking to hire, but I’ll ask around the parish. I can put out a call for food. If every parishioner brought one item to the church, you could eat for a few weeks. I will do that this Sunday. We live in a very generous village.

“I have reached out to your uncle. It was not difficult to find him once I went to the Lord in this county seat. He sent a letter. I will go today to see if he got a reply although if he did, he would have surely notified me. He is your best hope.”

“Thank you, Father. You have given me hope. Asking if anyone needs a helping hand. Asking for food donations. Writing to my kin. Thank you for doing so much for us.”

Father Stevens opened his mouth to speak and closed it. He cleared his throat. He opened his mouth to speak again. “You must realize, Edward that you cannot go on living in that house, trying to live under such difficult circumstances. You are twelve. Your sister is ten. Even if your mother were her regular self, you face an almost impossible task. I pray every day for your uncle to take you in.”

Edward tried to conceal the tears in his eyes, but it was impossible. “I need to get back to my mother,” he said. He ran home.

On Monday, Father Stevens came to visit sitting in a work cart tied to a horse. He parked at the back door.

He called out to Edward. Both he and Penelope opened the back door to see the cart carrying three potato bags full of food. Father Stevens bounced down to the ground.

“Let me help you with this bounty. The village answered my call immediately. I asked for donations at mass yesterday, and look how they responded.”

Penelope was crying as Edward emptied the sacks on the kitchen table.

Edward had to brace deep so his voice wasn’t high and wavering. “This is more than we could have imagined. What wonderful people. How can I ever repay them?”

Father Stevens smiled. “On the way here, I wondered what I would say if you asked that question. I think I have an answer. If you went to the village and asked what the people in the village needed done, you could hammer or shovel your way to a thanks.

“I think they’d be appreciative, and it would only take a day of your time.”

“I’ll do it. Tell me when and where, and I’ll do it from sunrise to sunset.”

Father Stevens grinned. “Mind you, they would do it out of the goodness of their heart, but it’s always nice to hear ‘thank you.’“

Edward went into the kitchen to see Penelope putting away the food they just received.

“Did we get good food?”

Penelope nodded. “I can’t believe it. We can eat again.”

Edward craned his neck to make sure his mother wasn’t listening. “Did we get any tea and sugar cubes?”

“Yes. She will never know we ran out. We have uncooked bread. Do you think you can cook it without burning it?”

Edward shrugged. “I’ll try.”

Penelope clasped both her hands to her heart. “Bread.”

They both laughed.

Cecilia walked into the kitchen. “Edward is going to attempt to make bread,” Penelope said.

Cecilia winced. “Don’t burn it.”

Edward and Penelope laughed again.

Edward said, “That’s exactly what Penelope said.”

“Penelope, would you make me some tea? You forgot the sugar cubes last time.”

Penelope smiled, “Oh, did I? I’ll make sure I remember today.”

Cecilia left to go to the parlour.

Edward said, “She’s doing better.”

Penelope nodded and smiled.

*****

A week later, Father Stevens knocked on the front door. Edward answered and asked the priest to join his mother and his sister in the parlour.

“Tea, Father?” Penelope asked.

“Yes, I would like that very much. I walked from the parish and, as you know, the hill can be a challenge.” He turned to Penelope. “Cream, no sugar.” She nodded.

“What brings you up the hill, Father?” Edward asked.

Father Stevens grinned. “ Do you remember I asked what to write to Avery Stanton on your behalf?”