The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow Read Free Page B

the remaining elements of the meal to the table, then leaned over the chairs and extracted the baby. Moving to the table, she settled him in her lap and broke some bread into small bites on a plate. He reached for a piece, put it in his mouth, and began working his jaw. Charlotte crumbled up some cheese as well.
    Mr. Penard sat in his usual place at the head of the servants’ table. Sarah sat across from Charlotte and began to fill her plate.
    Mr. Penard cleared his throat. Sarah looked up, then put her hands in her lap.
    â€œYou are aware that it is our custom to give thanks before each meal,” Mr. Penard chastised. “Certainly you learned to pray at the orphanage.”
    Sarah sighed yet again. Charlotte ignored her, stilled Henry’s hands, and bowed her head for the prayer she knew Penard would offer. Every meal around the servants’ table began with an expression of thanksgiving and penitence, whether or not individual members of the staff felt such sentiments.Today, if she were to pray at all, Charlotte would have been inclined to request divine assistance in quelling her panic.
    â€œThis certainly disturbs our plan.” Mr. Penard served himself a generous stack of sliced beef. “It is now Tuesday evening, and we have a great deal to accomplish by noon on Thursday, when the family is due to arrive. Obviously the child will require considerable attention.”
    â€œI don’t mind taking care of him.” Charlotte restrained herself from putting a protective arm around the baby, instead letting him wiggle in her lap.
    Mr. Penard shook his head. “You’re more familiar with the household. It will be far more efficient to have you concentrate on getting the house ready and leave it to Sarah to look after the child and help you as she is able.”
    Charlotte blanched.
    Sarah protested. “Nobody at St. Andrew’s said I would be taking care of a brat.”
    â€œMiss Cummings!” Penard’s rebuke was sharp. “I remind you once again to learn your place. You will not speak to me that way. When you are part of a staff such as the one that serves the Bannings, you will do as you are asked for the good of the family. That is your priority.”
    â€œMr. Penard, I really don’t mind looking after the baby.” Charlotte put a hand on Henry’s head. “He seems to like me.” The baby gave a drooling smile and reached for Charlotte’s face.
    â€œThat much is true,” Mr. Penard agreed. “Nevertheless, I feel it is a wise use of your experience in the household for you to focus on preparations for the family. Surely Sarah has sufficient experience with younger children at St. Andrew’s to keep track of one child for a few days. Is that clear to both of you?”
    Charlotte swallowed hard. “Yes, sir.”
    Sarah sighed petulantly. “Yes, sir.”

    Sarah held the baby a foot away from her body as she stomped upstairs two hours later. If Penard was so concerned about this brat, why didn’t he take it to his room? After living in a dormitory for the last six years, Sarah finally had her own room, and now, after just two short nights, she had to share it with a baby. What if it didn’t even sleep through the night?
    She clutched the creature in one arm and with the other hand turned the glass knob to open her bedroom door.
    â€œWhat are you doing in here?” Sarah stared at Charlotte, who was kneeling on the floor.
    â€œI thought I could make a pallet for the baby.” Charlotte spread a blanket over two thick quilts.
    â€œBut it’s my room!”
    â€œAnd you’re lucky you don’t have to share it with one of the other maids.” Charlotte smoothed the blanket and tucked under a corner. “I’m just trying to be helpful. I can see you’re not eager to look after him.”
    â€œJust because I don’t want to doesn’t mean I’m incompetent. I can make the best of