The Tuscan Child

by Rhys Bowen

she said, “I hear you’re planning to stay on.” He sighed. “The school has offered me accommodation at the lodge if I become the art master. Since I have no other options at the moment, it seemed like the easiest thing to do. At least until I find my feet again.” He looked down at the pitifully small suitcase she was carrying. “What about you, Elsie? Where will you go? There isn’t really a Mr. Williams, is there?” She laughed. “Oh no, sir. It’s just the convention, isn’t it? You know that. Housekeepers and cooks are always called ‘Mrs.’ out of respect. And as for where I’ll go, I’m not sure. I expect I’ll find another situation, although one hears that many of the big houses are going to be closed up or pulled down. I expect I’ll find something.” “You have no family, do you? I seem to remember that you were an orphan when you came to us.” “That’s right, sir. I have no family. I don’t even know who my family was.” Hugo looked at her and felt immense pity. Here she was, cast out into the world with no place to go and she was not complaining, just facing it stoically. He opened his mouth and was surprised to hear himself say, “You know, Elsie, you could always stay on here.” She looked surprised, then shook her head. “Stay on here? Oh no, sir. They made it quite clear they will be hiring their own staff for the school.” “I meant with me,” he said. “With you? At the lodge?” She gave a nervous little laugh. “I don’t think there would be room, for one thing, and you don’t need a ...

Cute (Hugo after he has sold his family home)