Free His Saving Grace (Regency Refuge 1) by Heather Gray

might be a distraction for the male servants."
    Grace glanced back and forth between the Pembrokes before telling Rupert to cross her name off the list.
    It's a shame. I liked her, but it wouldn't do to alienate the existing staff.
    Suddenly realizing what Mrs. Pembroke had said a short time ago, Grace asked, "There's no school?"
    "I didn't mean any harm, Your Grace. There's nowhere for the children to learn their letters and numbers and the like. Most of them will grow up to be farmers or will follow in their parents' trade, or maybe get an apprenticeship, so it's never mattered."
    Grace took a moment to process Mrs. Pembroke's words. It was true, schooling for commoners was rare, but there were shires that provided it. She would need to find out whether schooling was the responsibility of the landowner or the shire church. In the meantime, while she sorted that out, she could still take some action.
    Glancing over the names on Rupert's list, she said, "Very well. That settles it. Elsie shall be my lady's maid. She's young and will have a lot to learn, but I believe we'll get on famously. Hire Anna to take care of laundry and dishes. I'd like you to hire Sarah and Dorothea as housemaids, but not for every day. Rupert, you'll have to arrange the schedule so they each work part of the week. If someone doesn’t work out, then we'll let that person go, and whoever remains can have the additional work."
    "You want me to split the one housemaid job between the two women? Are you sure that will be enough for them?" Rupert questioned.
    "I conversed with each at length. Sarah and Dorothea are unmarried and living at home with their parents. Their income will greatly help their families, but neither family is in a desperate situation. Anna lost her parents when she was young and has been moved from family to family within the parish as a charity case. She has no real home. Elsie's father was badly injured and can't walk anymore, and her mother isn't skilled enough to do any work other than caring for her family. She would take in laundry for people, but nobody around these parts can afford to pay. Sarah and Dorothea may want jobs, but both Anna and Elsie need one."
    Grace stood to exit the room. As she was leaving, though, she recalled another of her current dilemmas. Turning to the Pembrokes, she said, "I understand there's no seamstress in town. Do you know of anyone handy enough with a needle to make me some dresses? I'm afraid I have but three, including the one I was wed in, until my things arrive from Stafford."
    Husband and wife exchanged a look before Mrs. Pembroke said, "Margaret is the best there is around these parts. She doesn't have a shop or material to offer you, but she can sew almost anything and make it look fancier than you'd ever imagine."
    That's an interesting turn of events.
    Grace mulled that over for a moment before saying, "I aim for this estate to do what it can to help the people of this village for as long as I'm in residence. I appreciate your honesty," she said, nodding to Mr. Pembroke, "and hope you will continue to be honest with me. You know the people here much better than I do." Then, turning to Rupert, she said "Please inform the girls of my decision and work out a schedule. The housemaid can start tomorrow, but I'll need Elsie tonight. Anna can start tonight or tomorrow, whatever is best for her. Give Elsie a chance to let her parents know, but then she needs to return with her belongings and plan to stay on here until further notice."
    "In the meantime," she added, "do some checking around town for me, Rupert. Find out if the families would be interested in sending their children up here two days per week. I am most assuredly not a teacher, but I'd like to do what I can to help anyone interested in learning their letters and numbers." She paused momentarily, thinking about how best to handle her next order. When she did finally speak, it was to say, "Inform Margaret I will be employing her