A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

I’m pretty good at figuring things out. If I can see some of the new magazines, I’m sure to be able to copy the fashions.”
    Marty smiled. “I bet you could. You strike me as a remarkable young woman, and I think you’re exactly the kind of employee I could use.”
    Alice’s expression cheered. “I promise. I would do my best. I would give my all.”
    â€œYou need not convince me,” Marty assured her. “I can see that you are very determined.”
    Alice leaned forward. “I wasn’t sure if the job included room and board, but I need a place to live. After the first, my friends will be leaving Denver and I’ll be . . . alone.”
    â€œWe have quarters for you here. A salary, too. Mrs. Landry will see you settled in.”
    â€œOf course I will,” Mrs. Landry said, bringing a silver traywith refreshments. She placed the tray atop a small table and immediately set to work pouring tea. She handed a cup to the young woman, but Alice shook her head.
    â€œNo, if I’m to start right away, I should go get my things.” Alice hesitated a moment. “I can start right away, can’t I?”
    Marty chuckled. “Of course you can. I’ll have my driver assist you, but wouldn’t you rather have some refreshments first?”
    â€œNo, ma’am. I want to get back here as quickly as possible and start learning my job.” She stood and touched her hand to her face. “Thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance . . . even though . . .”
    â€œEven though nothing, Alice. You have presented yourself as the better candidate for my needs,” Marty said, standing. “I am certain that we will get along famously. Mrs. Landry, would you see that Samson drives—”
    â€œNo, that’s all right.” Alice was already halfway to the door. “I’ll walk. It’s not all that far.” She very nearly flew out the front door, not at all the shy, reserved young woman who’d entered.
    Marty exchanged a look with Mrs. Landry. “I know you must think me a fool, but I couldn’t stop myself. That poor girl needed our help.”
    â€œI don’t think you a fool at all, Mrs. Wythe. You have a tender heart, as do I. It will no doubt be the death of us both, but we could hardly send that girl out into the cold with no hope.” The housekeeper handed Marty a cup of tea. “We’ll need to get her some uniforms. She’s smaller than Kate, but perhaps she can borrow one of hers temporarily.”
    Marty nodded. “And some new shoes. Hers looked rather . . . worn.”
    â€œI can take her shopping tomorrow, if that’s what you’d like.”
    Marty thought about it for a moment. “We can both take her.”
    Mrs. Landry shook her head. “Mrs. Wythe, that wouldn’t be acceptable. Mr. Wythe needs you to be . . . well . . . respectable . . . to your position. There are certain rules to your station in life, and I won’t have Mr. Wythe shamed because I was remiss in explaining them.”
    The housekeeper shifted uncomfortably, and Marty couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She barely knew the woman but already liked her no-nonsense style. “Very well, Mrs. Landry. I shall keep to my place. I cannot say I approve of this world of rules, but since I agreed to take it on when I married Mr. Wythe, I suppose I should keep my word.” Marty sipped the tea and gave a sigh. “I don’t know that I’ll ever get used to having servants or rules.”

Chapter 7
    â€œI didn’t know Mr. Chesterfield,” Jake said at breakfast the next morning.
    Marty found this surprising. “Apparently you were the replacement for his job after he was murdered.”
    â€œI do recall someone saying the former bank manager had died, but little else.” He took a drink of his coffee before continuing.