Read Online Marrying Miss Martha by Anna Jacobs - Free Book Online Page A

older machines has been giving us some trouble and I want to check it before the men leave for the day.”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “And someone will need to show the ladies round the house in the morning.”
    “Hepzibah’s agreed to do that. I’m going to be busy tomorrow, as you know, or I’d do it myself.”
    “Aye, well, it’ll probably be better for a woman to do it, anyway. I hope things go well for you, lad.” He clapped Mr Seaton’s shoulder and turned to say, “Goodbye, ladies. I’ll see you tomorrow before you leave.”
    When Jonas had gone, showing himself out, Ben took the big armchair opposite his two visitors and sat in it with his hands resting on the arms. He looked tired but alert.
    His sister was leaning back so far in her chair that her face was mostly in shadow.
    “I’ll come straight to the point,” he said. “Georgie here doesn’t feel she needs any more governessing, but I don’t want her idling the days away—or getting into any more mischief.”
    Martha was dying to ask what sort of mischief he was referring to, but refrained. “How old are you, Miss Seaton?”
    “Almost seventeen.”
    “Not for three more months,” her brother corrected sharply, earning himself an angry look.
    “Then you’re definitely too old for normal lessons,” Martha said. “What you need to know now is how to run a household, do the accounts, deal with servants, plan meals—that sort of thing.”
    The girl shrugged. “I shall be able to afford servants to do all that. My father left me plenty of money, so I shan’t have to lift a finger.”
    Ben growled in anger and opened his mouth. Martha was afraid he was going to correct his sister again and make her even sulkier, so shook her head at him. She was pleased to see him take her meaning and snap his mouth shut again.
    “You’d be very bored if you sat around doing nothing all day,” Penelope said lightly. “And you’d get very fat, too, if you didn’t take some exercise. Women do, you know.”
    Martha saw Ben’s hastily suppressed amusement as Georgie looked down at herself in horror and she too had to hide a smile before turning away from that point. “If you don’t understand the work your servants do, how will you check that they’re doing their jobs properly?”
    Georgie frowned but said nothing more.
    There was silence then Ben said, “Well, if Libby approves of you, then it’s all right with me if you take the job, ladies.”
    “Don’t you want to ask us anything, Mr Seaton?” Penelope ventured.
    “I shouldn’t know what to ask a governess, but I trust Libby Wright’s judgement implicitly. Did Jonas speak to you about the other thing, helping our men?”
    “Yes. I’ve already done similar work,” Penelope said. “My fiancé was a clergyman and we were helping some of his poorer parishioners to better themselves.” This time she added before he could ask, “Sadly, John died two years ago, so I wasn’t able to continue the work. I’ve missed it.”
    Ben nodded and when no one said anything else, asked impatiently, “Well, shall you take the job?”
    Martha said what they’d agreed beforehand. “We’d like to think about it overnight and give you our decision after we’ve seen the house you’re offering.”
    “Aye, well, that makes sense. I’d do the same myself. Hepzibah will come and collect you from the George and Dragon tomorrow. It’s only a short walk to the house. Nine o’clock do you? The town should be quiet enough by then.”
    “Nine o’clock will suit us perfectly, Mr Seaton.” She wondered what he meant by “the town should be quiet by then” but didn’t ask.
    “Good. I’ll escort you back to the inn.” He stood up and the ladies followed suit. His sister didn’t stir. “Georgie! Where are your manners?”
    The girl came slowly to her feet, muttering a farewell.
    Martha gave her a brief nod, then turned back to Mr Seaton. “We can find our own way back to the inn. It’s not