she needed her virtue too. Losing either was not a happy proposition. She could only hope that the master would lose interest in her. In the meantime, she had work to do.
After finishing in the library, she went into the morning room to dust and polish. It was there that Mrs. Hutchins found her a quarter of an hour later.
“Molly?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You are required in his lordship’s room,” the housekeeper informed her.
Molly’s stomach fluttered at the mention of the master. “Is something amiss then, ma’am?”
“Not precisely.”
“May I ask what I’m to do then, ma’am?”
The housekeeper looked at her sadly, and clucked her tongue. “Come sit down for a moment, Molly.”
Molly was confused. Though Mrs. Hutchins was no termagant, she was strict. It wasn’t like her to coddle her girls, and so such kindness made Molly wary. Still, she sat obediently, perched on the edge of a delicate chaise across from Mrs. Hutchins who was seated on a nearby sofa.
“I came to this house when I was younger than you,” the housekeeper began. “I was the tweenie. Then his lordship took note of me, that is the seventh viscount, not the current one. Soon, I was promoted to an upstairs maid, and after that I became the housekeeper.”
Molly nodded, not sure what to say.
“Do you understand what I’m getting at, my girl?”
“Not really, ma’am.”
Mrs. Hutchins sighed, “Ah, you are such an innocent.” She leaned closer. “I was one of the viscount’s light o’ loves. At least until he was forced by his family to marry.”
Molly gasped. “What about Mr. Hutchins?”
“There was no Mr. Hutchins until after the viscount was wed.”
“But, why are you telling me all of this?”
“I thought that’d be clear to you, my girl. The master has decided he wants you to be his personal maid.”
“What does that mean?”
“Don’t be daft. It means he wants to bed you.”
“He told you that?” Molly was shocked. It seemed that the master hadn’t lost interest in her at all.
“Of course he didn’t tell me right out,” Mrs. Hutchins continued, “but I’ve been around the nobility long enough to know what he wants. If you have no interest in being his dollymop, just say so, and I’ll make sure of it.”
“Would you send me away?”
“I’d help you find another position.”
“Do I have to decide right now?”
“The sooner the better. The choice won’t change no matter how long you wait, and the master said he wanted to see you in his chambers right away.”
“I can’t decide, not like this.”
“He’ll be calling for you…”
Molly’s heart beat wildly in her chest. This was exactly the choice she’d been dreading. On the one hand, she could spurn her master, saving her virginity for the man she would marry, whoever that might be, and lose her position in this house. On the other hand, she could succumb to the burning caresses of a man who stirred her blood, and in doing so, lose her last shreds of honor and dignity.
Again she wished that there was someone she could talk to, someone she could confide in. Mrs. Hutchins was being kind, but she’d made it plain what she thought Molly should do. And why not? It had worked out for her. Or had it? “Mrs. Hutchins, may I ask you something?” she queried.
“Of course, dear.”
“The seventh viscount? Did you love him?” Mrs. Hutchins looked as though she was about to cry. “With every fiber of my being, until the day he died.” She turned away.
“And what about Mr. Hutchins?”
“Aye, I loved him too. He was very good to me.”
Molly knew she had her answer. She left the chaise and walked toward the door. “I’ll be in the master’s chamber.” With that, she left the room and began the long climb up the staircase. She walked down the hall, then stood in front of the familiar door. With shaking hands and trembling knees, she knocked on the door.
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