and sent into service when I was twelve. That’s how I met your mother. If it weren’t for Essie I would still be a servant, at the beck and call of others.’
‘I didn’t know, but it doesn’t matter to me. I love you as if you were my aunt.’
Sadie’s pale blue eyes filled with tears and she turned her head away. ‘Thank you. That means a lot to me.’
‘We still have to decide what to do,’ Caroline said thoughtfully. ‘And there’s Max and Jimmy. I’ll have to break it to them that Mama has gone down to Devonshire for a while, but there’s no question of them returning to school because there isn’t the money to pay their fees.’
‘Where are they now? They should be here.’
‘I gave the under footman some money to take them to the Zoological Gardens. Max was keen to see the reptile house and Jimmy wanted to visit the aquarium. It’s been such a sad homecoming for them, so I thought it would be a diversion.’
‘Quite right,’ Sadie said, nodding. ‘But we have to face facts. Parkinson was right and the business is all but bankrupt. If your uncle returns in the next few days with a profitable cargo we might be able to hold off our creditors, but that seems more and more unlikely.’
‘I went through the papers in Papa’s desk, and the rent on this house is paid quarterly. It’s due in a week’s time, and we’re almost completely out of funds.’
‘Jack obviously kept the state of the company’s finances a secret from Esther. It’s more serious than I thought …’ Sadie’s voice trailed off as she leaned forward to peer out of the window.
‘What can you see?’
‘I thought I saw a familiar face, but I must have been mistaken. We’ll sort something out. Don’t worry.’
‘There’s someone hammering on the front door.’ Caroline stood up, reaching for the bell pull. ‘Why isn’t anyone answering? Where are the servants?’
‘I’ve a nasty feeling that they’re having a meeting below stairs,’ Sadie said slowly. ‘Mrs Hayes muttered something about it when I saw her earlier this morning, although I didn’t take much notice at the time.’
‘I suppose I’d better go.’ Caroline hurried from the room. The visitor was getting impatient and continued to rap on the door. She opened it, staring at the visitor in surprise.
‘Miss Manning?’ The man snatched off his bowler hat, allowing a shock of carroty hair to fall over his eyes. ‘I didn’t expect you to come to the door.’
He looked vaguely familiar, but she could not place him. ‘I’m sorry. You seem to know me, but I’m afraid I can’t return the compliment, sir. Who are you?’
‘Laurence Bromley. We met at Rugby School.’
‘Of course. Yes, I remember you now.’ Caroline hesitated, wondering whether to invite him in or not. ‘You were about to leave your employment on the day we arrived.’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘Then you haven’t come to take my brothers back to school …’
‘No, that’s not the case, Miss Manning.’
She stood aside. ‘You’d better come in, but I have to tell you that the boys won’t be returning to Rugby.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that. It’s an excellent school.’
‘But you didn’t find it to your liking.’
‘There were personal differences between myself and the headmaster.’
‘So why are you here today, Mr Bromley?’
‘I was in the area and I was concerned for the boys’ welfare.’
Ingram had appeared from the depths of the house, but Caroline had no intention of discussing family matters in front of the butler. ‘You’d better come with me, Mr Bromley.’ She beckoned to the butler. ‘We’ll have coffee in the morning parlour, and some of Cook’s seed cake, too.’
Ingram cleared his throat, standing stiffly to attention. ‘I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Miss Caroline.’
She turned to him, eyebrows raised. ‘What did you say?’
‘The talk in the servants’ hall is that we are all to lose our positions, Miss Caroline.’
‘Perhaps I should come back another time,’ Laurence said in a low voice.
‘No, you’re here now.’ Caroline turned to Ingram, keeping calm with difficulty. ‘We’ll sort this out later.’
‘Cook is packing her bags as we speak. She’s been offered another position and has decided to accept it.’
‘This is obviously a bad time,’ Laurence said hastily. ‘I should go.’
‘No. You came here to enquire about my brothers, and I appreciate your concern.’ Caroline turned to Ingram. ‘I’m sure that someone in the kitchen could make a pot of coffee or some tea. I’d be obliged if you would see to it, please, Ingram.’
‘Of course, Miss Caroline.’ Ingram walked off stiffly as if performing a slow march.
‘Miss Dixon is in the morning parlour,’ Caroline said, making an effort to sound casual, although her mind was racing. The news of their financial problems had obviously travelled fast, and she needed time to think. ‘Come with me, Mr Bromley.’ She crossed the entrance hall and ushered him into the parlour. ‘Sadie, we have a visitor.’
Sadie rose to her feet, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. ‘Mr Bromley, I thought I recognised you. I saw you striding along the pavement, looking very purposeful. What brings you to London?’
‘Please take a seat,’ Caroline said, remembering her manners.
He pulled up a chair and sat down. ‘I knew where Max and James lived, and I was passing, so I thought I would call, but it seems that I picked a bad time.’
‘The servants have heard of our financial difficulties, Sadie. Apparently Cook is leaving and it looks as if the others might follow.’ Caroline turned to Bromley. He seemed to be a sensible man and there was no point pretending that all was well. ‘My father’s untimely death has left us in some money problems, Mr Bromley. My brothers couldn’t return to Rugby, even if they wanted to.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Why are you in London, Mr Bromley?’ Sadie fixed him with a steady look. ‘Have you found employment here?’
‘As a matter of fact I’ve decided to branch out on my own.’
‘Do you mean to open a school?’ Sadie’s eyes shone with enthusiasm. ‘What a splendid idea.’
‘Not exactly. I was thinking more of taking on a few pupils to start with, providing I can find suitable accommodation. I’m not a wealthy man, so I would have to start in a small way, but one day I would like to have my own establishment where I could tutor bright boys, and even a few girls.’
‘How progressive of you.’ Caroline met his candid gaze with a smile of approval. ‘I think that the mothers of future generations should be well educated, but not many people would agree with me.’
‘I do, and I hope to do something about it.’
‘What sort of premises had you in mind, Mr Bromley?’ Sadie asked eagerly. ‘Would it need to be very large?’
‘Not at the beginning. I could only take two or three pupils at a time, so a single room would suffice. But enough about me, you have problems of your