Page 56 of Among the Darkness Stirs

She gave a little wave. “Hello, Levi.”

“Nice little set up here.” He motioned around him vaguely.

She surveyed the garden with satisfaction. “Isn’t it? I think my mother and sister will like it very much.”

“I came looking for you. Hand-delivered note came for you.” He handed it to her.

She took the note and noticed the handwriting from before. It was in Theodocia Ryland’s hand.

“You should come down to the pub with us,” he told her for the hundredth time.

“I can’t,” she said, scanning the note’s contents. “I’ve received an invitation to take tea with Ms. Ryland.”

Levi shook his head. “One day you won’t be able to refuse my offer.”

“What offer is that?”

“Some cod and chips, good ale, and a handsome man for company.” He winked.

“Oh? Is Joseph coming?” she teased him.

“Cheeky thing!” he said, walking with her back towards the workhouse.

She smirked at him. “Don’t worry, Levi. One day I won’t refuse.”

Audrey was shown into the parlor of the grand house by the River Yare. She admired once more the lines of the house filled with wooden beams, sloping lines, and gorgeous wooden parquet floors.

“Audrey, my dear,” Theodocia said when she entered the room. “You’re very prompt.”

“I could hardly refuse tea with you,” she said.

“You could, though I can’t imagine why. I’m good company and I serve excellent tea,” she reasoned.

“All of that is true.”

Tea arrived, and the small sandwiches and scones looked especially delightful to Audrey. Though the workhouse staff was fed better than the inmates, the food was bland. The meals consisted of gruel, cooked meat, vegetables, soup, bread, and cheese.

Audrey took a sandwich and savored the flavor of the bread and the creaminess of the cucumbers. Then she took a scone and relished the flavors of cranberry and lemon.

“You’ve lost weight, my dear,” Theodocia told her suddenly.

Audrey swallowed. “Have I?”

“I believe so. And that black makes you appear all the more slender.”

“It isn’t because I’ve tried to. The workhouse food is very bland and not at all appealing,” she told her.

Theodocia studied her. “You’ve not had an easy time of it. Have you?”

“I’m doing better. The schoolroom is becoming more familiar, and my family is to join me soon.” She brightened just at the thought of having her family with her.

Theodocia perked up. “Indeed?”

“Yes. Your son was very helpful. He—” She stopped.

“Yes?” Theodocia asked.

Audrey pressed her lips together. “Nothing. He was helpful.”

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