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Her eyes wandered to her brother, who’d dropped onto the bed, his face drawn and pale. He coughed, muttered, and turned to the side.

She could not lose Jules.

Gathering all the determination she had, she pushed it aside, the grief, the anguish, the fear.

Pull yourself together, Anna. You must come up with a plan.

But what plan? What on earth was she to do now?

The monthly allowance she had received from St John was entirely gone, spent on Jules’s debt. It had not occurred to her to ask St John for the payment he had promised at the seminary. The agreement had been that she would receive it upon the successful completion of her instruction of Phoebe. Nor had she thought to ask for an advance. She could now kick herself for it.

She would have to return to the agency and ask for other employment. Anna got up, grabbed her bonnet and set it on her head.

Just as she stepped towards the door, she remembered the conversation she had with that woman in the coach. What had her name been?

Hetty.

“The Marchmonts are rich and they treat their servants well.”

That was what she had said.

And that they were always in need of domestics.

Anna knew what to do, now.

“Marchmont,” she muttered. “Where do they live?”

* * *

It had been surprisingly easy to get the position. She had walked straight up to the servants’ entrance, knocked, and a footman had answered. She’d expected to be turned away on the spot, but he had let her in, and informed the housekeeper, Mrs Billings.

She appeared to be a formidable, strict woman, devoid of humour, thin as a stick with her grey hair drawn back in a severe bun. Anna, upon setting her eyes on her, felt her heart sink. Surely, this was a woman who would not just employ anyone.

“References?” Mrs Billings eyed her from head to toe, and Anna was acutely aware of her clean but simple dress, her threadbare bonnet and scuffed boots.

She had none.

Anna bit on her lip.

“I regret to inform you we do not employ anyone without references.”

It was truly a problem. Surely, she could write to Miss Grace for a character letter. But that would instantly betray her location. She might as well walk up to the seminary personally, knock on the door and ask for references. Wasn’t the entire point of her seeking employment elsewhere that she needed to vanish completely?

Seeing her hesitate, Mrs Billings clucked her tongue and rose. The interview was over.

Anna rose with her, her mind working feverishly. “But⁠—”

A housemaid came rushing into the room. “Mrs Billings, I have just overheard that they intend to bring the supper forward. It isn’t in a fortnight, but in two days. They also doubled the guest list. I thought you ought to know.”

“Are you certain of this? If so, it is most inconvenient. Bertha and Emma are ill, and Tim has broken his leg.”

“I’m afraid so, ma’am. I was dusting the entrance when Mr Marchmont informed Mrs Marchmont of his change of plans. Furthermore, we shall need—” The maid broke off as her gaze fell on Anna. “But—I know you!”

“Yes. You’re Hetty Baker, am I right? We met in the mail coach.” Anna smiled. Turning back to Mrs Billings, she said, “I came here on Hetty’s advice, ma’am. She told me that you were seeking domestic help.” She smoothed out her dress. “Well, here I am.”

“It is true we are in dire need of extra hands…” Mrs Billings muttered. “Can you vouch for her character, Hetty? She has no written references.”

Hetty smiled at Anna. “We only spent the journey to London together, but during that time Anna has convinced me she is a diligent worker with upright morals. We need all the help we can get, Mrs Billings.”