“Yes. And for months we did not know what had happened to her. She was trying to get away from him,” Leorah said quickly. “She was looking for work, honest work. She is not an evil person at all, only desperate. But he was trying to force her to give up the child, and she simply could not do that.”
“I see.”
Her stomach sank. She could not tell if Lord Withinghall was angry, and if so, who was the person inciting the anger. She went on quickly.
“Rachel—this woman—wrote to me to ask for help ten days ago, but the letter has only just now made its way to me. Her child is ill, and the conditions at the workhouse are deplorable. I would send her money, but she says someone is intercepting her letters.”
“And where is she?”
“The St. Vincent Workhouse in Kent.”
“I see. And you said her name is Rachel?”
“Rachel Becker.” Was she right in giving him this information? He would think she was manipulating him into helping her. Oh dear. The thought of Lord Withinghall involving himself in such a thing as this . . . “Please do not think I am telling you this to beg for your help.”
“And do you know the name of the man who took her there?”
“No. She has never told me. I know this is all very sordid, but she has no one to help her, no one to turn to. Not that I would ever expect you to involve yourself.” Leorah bit her lip. “We should speak of something else.”
What was Lord Withinghall thinking? Had he lost all respect for her? Did he think she was asking for his help?
“Do you believe this man wants the child to perish?” he asked. The look on his face was so earnest she did not hesitate to answer.
“Yes. He does not want the child, does not care about her. Rachel once told me he was a Member of Parliament, in the House of Commons.”
“That is despicable.” Lord Withinghall said the words very quietly as he stared down at the floor.
“Yes. It makes me want to hire a carriage and ride to Kent this very moment.”
“No, you must do no such thing.” He took a breath and lowered his voice. “That is, I do not think that would be quite safe for you, Miss Langdon. Perhaps there is something I can do.” Lord Withinghall looked intently into her eyes. “Truly, I do not wish you to worry. Leave it to me. And now I must go.”
“Oh, but—”
“Do not worry, Miss Langdon. All will be well. I bid you all a good day.”
They all stood and said good-bye to the viscount as he left.
Leorah’s cheeks burned. “Do you truly think he will help Rachel and Olivia? I cannot believe he was not disgusted by the entire business. Perhaps I should not have told him anything about Rachel.” But how selfish of her to care more about what he thought of her than about Rachel and Olivia. She should be grateful he intended to help. Oh God, let his actions on Rachel’s behalf not bring about a scandal!
“No, I think he was earnest in his desire to help,” Felicity said.
“He will take care of her. Didn’t you hear him?” Elizabeth said, then sighed. “How good and kind he is.”
“But wouldn’t it be better if I took care of Rachel so that he would not have to associate himself with it?” Leorah found herself wringing her hands again. “After all, it is not his responsibility. I need to think of a way to help Rachel.”
“But what can you do?” Felicity said. “If I know my father, ever the frugal manager, he will never spare one of our servants or the carriage to go all the way to Kent to help a scandalous woman who had a baby out of wedlock.” Then she said more quietly, “I am sorry, Leorah.”
“It is all right. I can send a letter to Nicholas at his new home. He will help.” But he was distracted with his first baby arriving soon.
“Do you know what I think?” Felicity had a sly smile on her lips. “I think Lord Withinghall is glad to help your friend.”
Leorah clenched her fingers into a fist again. “He hates scandal and especially dislikes women who have done the things that Rachel has done. He once snubbed the Duke of York because he was with his courtesan, Mary Clarke. And Lord Withinghall is a viscount. He has no dealings with such places as workhouses. Besides that, Parliament is sitting now, and he must be there every day it is in session, as he is a Cabinet Minister.”
It was surely impossible, even if Lord Withinghall wanted to help.
“He will come to his senses,” Leorah went on, “and decide he cannot involve himself in such a business. I still think I should hire a hackney coach and go there myself.”
“Oh no, you mustn’t!” Elizabeth cried.
“Indeed, I will not allow it. It is much too dangerous,” Felicity said.
Leorah looked down at her letters. “Felicity, will you ask your mother if we might have the carriage for two hours, to go visit John Wilson at the Children’s Aid Mission?”
“I would, but Father has the carriage until tomorrow. Remember? He went to Portsmouth on business.”
“Then we can hire a hackney.” She’d never hired a hackney before, but how hard could it be?
“I don’t think we should let Mother know of our plans. Best to wait until after the midday meal, tell her we’re going visiting, and hope she doesn’t ask questions.”
Leorah agreed. If John Wilson could spare someone to go to Kent, she could send the money Rachel would need. But . . . where would she send Rachel? She needed a safe place to live with her child, a place where her employer or landlord would not object to her past.
That could prove difficult.
Leorah sat politely answering Sarah Wilson’s questions while fidgeting with her gloves. When would the small talk be over so she might discuss why she had actually come?
“Lord Withinghall came for a brief visit today,” John Wilson said.
Leorah gave Mr. Wilson her full attention.
“The viscount asked me to give you a message, Miss Langdon, in case you came to call. He said that you needn’t worry about Miss Becker or her child. He has a place for her.”
“He said that?” A lump formed in Leorah’s throat. She tried to swallow and finally got past it on the second try. “Did he say anything else?”
“He was in a hurry. Mostly he seemed concerned that you might try to find Rachel yourself. He said the House of Lords could do without him for one day, and he has a house in Suffolk where he intended to take her. He would entrust her to some very discreet servants who would protect and care for her and the baby, and he would see to it personally.”
Leorah’s breath hitched at each new piece of information. Would he actually take her to his own home? What it must cost him to be in the company of a woman who had done what Rachel had done! She knew how he felt about scandal after what had happened to his own family, and yet he would risk his reputation and his ambitions in Parliament in order to show kindness to Rachel and her illegitimate child.
“Who is responsible for this young woman and her child being at this workhouse?”
Edward stood before the head matron of the St. Vincent Workhouse and glared down at the middle-aged woman who sat behind the desk in the gray, dismal room.