Hester's Hope

had passed than anyone could have known.
Mrs. August stood in the doorway glaring at Hester. The woman had no right taking such measures in a respectable home. If the chit had designs on Mr. Payton and his newly acquired wealth, Mrs. August would be sure to expose her for her scheming ways if it took a lifetime.

Chapter 5
Hester gazed around her at the beautifully dressed men and women who barely gave her a glance. Her stomach quivered with nerves as she saw the first course served and wondered if she would manage to get through the night. She was a simple young woman who had grown up in a tiny home on the outskirts of the city. She wasn’t even sure which fork to use with her salad.
She hadn’t been raised for this kind of event. Her life had been simple, filled with faith, friends, and an uncle who loved her. Looking up, Hester noticed Beverly watching her and she offered a smile studying the narrow faced blonde woman across the table from her and began imitating her every move. A moment later Beverly was doing the same and dinner progressed.
Around her, polite conversation turned to fashion and finance as those already acquainted with each other chatted. Hester kept her eyes sharp and her mouth quiet as she willed herself to get through the evening in one piece. She was doing this for the children and that was all that mattered. She turned smiling at Jonas who was talking to Abel, doing his best to look grown up and worthy of a seat at the table.
***
Cecil tried to pay attention to the conversations around him, but his eyes kept straying to the young woman who had boldly brought his young charges to one of the most important dinners of the day.
On the other side of the table, Abel kept the conversation going as course after course arrived. Although the meal was delicious, Cecil would have been just as happy with a hearty stew over a camp fire. He had never felt so out of place in his life, yet this seemingly humble servant had stepped up to the task of being a sophisticated nanny without hesitation. There was far more to this woman than at first met the eye, and what met the eye was pleasing enough.
A tap on his shoulder made Cecil look up as the doorman whispered in his ear.
“A gentleman is asking to speak to the owner of the house,” the young man in the fancy suit said. “He insists.”
“If you’ll excuse me,” Cecil placed his napkin on the table and pushed to his feet. “I have a pressing matter, but will be back in a moment. Please enjoy.”
A titter of whispers raced along the table as Cecil followed the doorman into the hall to be confronted by a tall willowy man with a shock of white hair and well trimmed beard.
“Can I help you?” Cecil asked.
“I’m Hyke Johnson, and I’d like to know what you’ve done with my niece?” the older man asked, twisting his battered hat in his hands. “She came here to clean this morning and I haven’t heard from her since.”
“Mr. Johnson,” Cecil sighed with understanding. “I assure you that your niece is perfectly fine. As a matter of fact she is having dinner with me and my guests right now.”
“Dinner?” the old man’s eyebrows rose. “Why would a cleaning woman be eating at your table? What have you done?”
Cecil raised his hands in surrender, hoping to calm the agitated man. “I promise she’s fine. Her position here in the house has changed making it necessary for her to join our table.”
“Mr., I don’t know what you’re going on about,” Hyke said, “but I’d like to speak with Hester. She’s a good girl, and you’re home does not have a good reputation among those of us who do the dirty work.”
Cecil shook his head seeing that nothing short of seeing Hester would put the old man’s mind at ease. “Mr. Johnson, please have a seat in the parlor and I’ll bring your niece to you. Perhaps she can reassure you.”
Hyke looked between the young man and the doorman who had led him into the house. “Bring her sharp like,” the old man said with a nod following the doorman to a comfortable, tidy room, with a warm fire burning on the hearth.
Cecil hurried back into the dining room heading straight for Miss Johnson without a look at his guests. Leaning over he whispered in her ear, helping her with her chair as she hurried to rise and exit the room.
“I’m so sorry about this,” Hester groaned. “I should have thought to send word to Hyke. My uncle worries, of course.”
“Don’t worry,” Cecil grinned. “It speaks well of your family that he came looking for you.”
“Please don’t neglect your guests because of me,” Hester blushed. “I’ll send Hyke home and then get the children ready for bed.”
“Hester!” Hyke sprang to his feet as she entered the room. “What on earth is going on here?” The older man grasped her arms looking at the fancy dress and neatly quaffed hair. “Are you all right?” He pulled her to him, wrapping an arm protectively around her shoulders as he glared at Cecil.
“I’m fine uncle,” Hester felt a nervous bubble of laughter escape. “Things are complicated.”
“Explain,” the old man never took his hard eyes off Cecil who ran his hands through his hair again.
Hester patted her uncle’s arm. “As you know,” she began. “I started here this morning cleaning fireplaces, but Mr. Payton has a big dinner party and needed someone to help with his niece and nephew. As you can see I agreed. I’m sorry I didn’t send word. It was thoughtless of me.”
“So this man isn’t trying to take advantage of you?” Hyke narrowed his eyes again studying the shocked expression on the other man’s face.
“I assure you sir,” Cecil protested. “I am not that kind of man. The woman we had