"Her brother! You mean Tommy Finch?"
"I suppose we do," he said. "He attended this school for a while, didn't he?"
Mrs. White flicked imaginary fluff off her skirts, her attention on the task and not us. "He was but only briefly and that was some time ago. I don't know why he left. I'm not privileged to everything that occurs with the boy pupils. You'd have to ask Mr. Blunt."
"Has Tommy Finch been back to the school?"
"Certainly not!"
"Right," George said. He cleared his throat. "I think you've told us everything we need to know."
"Don't leave yet," Jacob said. He stood beside George but watched me. "Suggest that Culvert look at another girl to replace Finch."
I wasn't sure what Jacob had in mind but I trusted his judgment. "Then let's move onto the real reason we came here," I said to George with a smile. He gave me a blank look. "A new maid."
He flinched. The hiring of staff so far down the household order probably wasn't something he'd be involved in. That would come under the housekeeper's jurisdiction, or his mother's if the housekeeper wasn't a trusted servant herself. My suggestion that he do it clearly shocked him. "Yes, of course. A new maid."
Bless him, he was going along with the scenario with good grace. I was definitely warming to George. Despite insisting outside that he do most of the talking, he'd not once taken over the conversation. Of course that could have been because Mr. Blunt wasn't there.
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Mrs. White's comfortable features but then she smiled. I suppose it must seem odd, not only that I'd accompanied George to find him a new servant, but also that I was the one keen for him to hire again. Perhaps she assumed he and I were engaged to be married and I was taking an active role in running his household already.
My impish side wondered what Jacob would think of that.
"Suggest he look at some suitable girls with her right now," Jacob said. "Then tell them you wish to remain here because you have a headache."
I did as he said. I was afraid George would protest but his quick glance around the room suggested he knew Jacob was nearby and that we had a plan. George was no fool and he was turning into a wonderful ally.
"An excellent idea," he said, standing. "Shall we, Mrs. White?"
She touched my knee. "Will you be all right, dear? Can I get you some tea while you wait?"
"No, thank you," I said. "I just need some peace and quiet."