Lady Sarah's Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page A

your being a beauty, my job is to ensure you are at least
a well-read one.”
      “Governesses have not
the means to go shopping,” Caro pointed out virtuously, raising her head from The Revd Huckerby’s Treatise Against Sin, ignoring Sarah’s last remark. “And Papa would never countenance such
frivolity.”
    “But he has countenanced a
visit to the circulating library. The carriage is being brought round as we
speak. Naturally we’ll need refreshment, also. And it would be foolish to walk
right by a milliner’s if one happened to get in our way - don’t you think?”
    The younger girls were vociferous in their agreement. And although
Caro said nothing, at least she didn’t object when Sarah ushered her out of the
schoolroom and down the stairs.
                                
    For the first time since she’d survived the shipwreck, Sarah was
enjoying herself. The fresh spring air, the warmth of the sun on her face as
they sauntered through the prosperous little town, was balm to her soul. The
visit to the circulating library, however, was cursory as she chivvied Caro to
make her selection so they’d have time to do the important chores – such
as visit the milliners where Sarah had noticed a very pretty chip bonnet in the
window.
    “You can’t possibly mean to buy that?” Caro gasped when she saw the
price.
    “Indeed I do,” Sarah assured her. “Only I have one more errand.
Caro, here’s money for currant buns your aunt was generous enough to donate to
the occasion. Now I want you to look after your cousins and I’ll meet you here
in ten minutes. No, you can’t come with me.”
    Shameless she might be, but little girls had a habit of innocently
revealing all, and Sarah’s visit to the pawnbroker’s was not something she
wanted Augusta happily divulging to her mother or uncle.
    With no regret she handed over her necklace in return for a sum that
would keep herself in the luxuries necessary to make the following couple of
weeks tolerable.
    The next visit was to the apothecary’s. Caro might disapprove of her
purchases: Royal Tincture of Peach Kernels, Olympian Dew and, of course, the
essential Liquid Bloom of Roses. Mr and Mrs Hawthorne certainly would.
    With these items carefully concealed in brown paper, Sarah gave a
sigh of satisfaction and stepped out onto the pavement.
    Right into the path of Mr Hawthorne.
    “Good morning, sir,” she said, endeavouring to maintain her
composure and wishing heartily the three girls were in tow. She was upon the
point of calling them, pretending they’d disappeared round a corner, and then
excusing herself and supposedly dashing after them, when he remarked dryly,
“While I am glad you had delicacy enough to shield your charges from a
pawnbroker’s, might I ask what supervision they currently enjoy?”
    “Caro is buying the girls currant buns—” Sarah tried to sound
as nonchalant as she could. “I considered ten minutes’ absence in the care of
their cousin, who, after all, might be married within the twelvemonth, safe
enough. And of course, as you yourself remarked, I couldn’t take them to a
pawnbroker’s.”
    “Not a pawnbroker’s … no.” He waited, expectantly, the sun at his
back throwing his lean, athletic body into relief.
    Sarah sighed. “Sir, my clothes have been ruined by salt water. As I
had a necklace I was able to pawn I did so in order to make those additions to
my wardrobe necessary to do honour to the family which employs me.”
    Mr Hawthorne looked unimpressed. “Mrs Hawthorne, I believe,
generously donated four fine gowns and shawls of her own.”
    “From three seasons ago,” objected Sarah before she could stop
herself.
    His disapproval was palpable.
    Quickly, Sarah continued, “Of course, she was very generous but—” she put out her hands, as if
exhorting him to concur- “there were the other necessary additions … like a new
bonnet, and slippers. And of course, gloves.”
    Her defence was