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slipped into the bedroom, eyeing Rosalind, who was resting on her side. Turning down the lamp, I knelt by my bed. “Dear Lord. Please forgive me for—” I hiccupped noisily, “for imbibing spirits. I won’t do it again. I’m ashamed I…I had a drink, Lord. It is possible that Megan is a bad influence. I’ll try harder not to be swayed by sin. Please watch over my family and my brothers and sisters. Keep everyone safe and healthy. Amen.” I was about to stand, when I had another thought. “And please watch over Mr. Carlyle. I’m entirely grateful that he seems to be a merciful man.” I mused, “He is rather handsome, isn’t he?” I hadn’t meant to say that out loud, and I was mildly baffled with myself. “Oh, never mind about that last part. Amen.”
    I crawled into bed a moment later, but I wasn’t asleep long before Rosalind fussed. She needed to be changed and fed, and I was obliged to wake Megan. She took it all in stride, attaching the baby to her breast, while Rosalind suckled hungrily. Afterwards, I placed her in the bassinette, where she proceeded to fuss more. Rubbing her back, I hoped this would do the trick. When she failed to stop crying, I picked her up again, holding her over my shoulder, where she was finally silent. Not knowing what else to do, I wandered around the parlor, walking back and forth, trying to sooth her to sleep. When she felt heavy against me, I placed her in the bassinette and crawled between the covers, finding respite within minutes.
    A door slamming woke me the next morning, as I turned over in bed. “What?” Someone had left, and I assumed it was Mr. Carlyle. “Oh, gracious.” I rubbed my forehead, experiencing a dull, throbbing headache. “The sherry did this.” A knock startled me. “Yes?”
    Allette glanced into the room. “Do you have washing that needs to be done, Miss Hampton?”
    “Just a diaper.” I slid from the bed, padding across the room to the dresser. “What time is it?”
    “Nearly nine.”
    “So late?”
    “Yes.”
    “She kept me up a bit.”
    “Babies will do that.”
    I yawned. “Is there tea?”
    “Yes, there is.”
    “Oh, that sounds lovely. I’ll be right out.” She closed the door behind her, while I slid the chamber pot out from beneath the bed. After I had gotten dressed and affixed my hair beneath a frilly cap, I ventured into the parlor, where Allette was dusting. A porcelain teapot sat on a silver tray with several dainty cups. “Good morning.”
    “Good morning. I’ll make your bed.”
    “Try not to wake Rosalind, please. It would be a dream to have a cup of tea first.”
    “Yes, Miss Hampton.” A knock sounded at the door. “I’ll get that.”
    I sat on the sofa, holding a cup in my hand, while my head pounded dreadfully. “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” I muttered. “I’ll never touch sherry again.”
    “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” said a voice.
    Glancing over my shoulder, Jane stood before me dressed in a pretty blue morning ensemble with bonnet and shawl. “I came to see how you’ve fared so far.” She gazed around the room. “It’s rather nice here, isn’t it?”
    I groaned in reply.
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    “You look a little peaked. Are you ill?”
    “I had a taste of sherry last night.”
    She removed her bonnet, tossing it on a chair. “What?”
    “Megan, the wet nurse, and I had a…smidgeon of sherry.”
    “Oh, the scandal!” she laughed. “Your first day of employment and you drink? For shame.”
    She was far too jovial for my liking. “This was your brilliant idea. You forced me into it.”
    Laughter filled the room. “Fine, blame me, but we know it’s your fault. You don’t seem any worse for wear. You haven’t lost the job…yet.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Where’s the baby? Is it a boy or a girl?”
    “She’s asleep, where I pray she remains for a few more minutes.” I sipped the tea. “What brings you to town?”
    “I took everyone to school. It’s