The Forgiving Heart (The Heart of Minnesota Book 1) by Becky Riker

understand, “I’ll need you to inter pret. Mr. Beauchamp doesn’t speak any Swedish.”
    This was an addition to Karlijna’s tasks.  Her employer had warned her it could happen, but so far it had not. Surprisingly, it did not worry the girl.
    “Alright,” she walked into the study and set her lunch bag beside the desk, “when does he arrive?”
    Mr. Sodergaard walked to his desk and picked up a letter, “Tomorrow,” he handed the paper to her, “You can read the details yourself.”
    He watched her as she skimmed the words, first in French then Swedish.
    “I’m sorry to give you such short notice, but, as you can see, I had little myself.”
    Karlijna shook h er head, “There is no problem. Will you need me here earlier in the mornings?”
    Mr. Sodergaard looked startled at the question.
    “I’m sorry, sir,” she wondered what she had said wrong, “Did I misunderstand something?”
    The man breathed an unc omfortable laugh, “I think so. You see, Mr. Beauchamp doesn’t understand any Swedish at all. He won’t be bringing an interpreter with him, so he will need you available at all times.”
    Karlijna’s face paled at this.  She lowered herself slowly to her chair.
    “I am to be his interpreter?” she looked at him, her eyes large, “His interpreter, not yours?”
    Mr. Sodergaard nodded, “I’m sor ry for the confusion, Karlijna. If I knew of anyone else who could handle this, I would use them, but you’re my only option.”
    Karlijna inhaled and pressed her lips together.  She could not doubt the validity of his words, but it was rather awkward.
    A thought entered her mind, “How long will he be staying?”
    Mr. Sodergaard looked relieved that she had accepted the inevitable, “He is usually here for only a few days, but it could be a week.”
    Karlijna cringed at the thought.  She would probably not be allowed to go to church on Sunday.
    “Where will he be staying?”
    “Here, at the house,” he spoke quickly, “but I’m afraid you’ll have to stay here too.”
    Karlijna had been afraid of that, “Could I stay until he retires in the evening and be back before he rises?”
    Mr. Sodergaard looked pained to refuse her request, “I’m afraid not.  Mr. Beauchamp keeps rather irregular hours while here. You may be here one night until nine and the following until midnight.  His rising is just as erratic. Besides that, walking home in the dark is not safe for a young lady.”
    Karlijna didn’t bother to remind him of the life sh e led before coming to Sweden. Then, every day was lived on the brink of death. There was no danger she feared walking home at night.
    “I’m sorry, Mr. Sodergaard.  I didn’t understand this.  Will he bring a wife?”
    “No.”
    Karlijna was afraid not and the discomfort was displayed in her voice, “I will be here with two men? Sleeping in the same house with no other woman?”
    Mr. Sodergaard didn’t think it would be beneficial to point out that since the butler lived there, it would be actually three men with whom she was going to be sharing a house.
    Karlijna rose, “I am sorry to do this to you, Mr. Sodergaard, but I am not certain my reputation should have to suffer for my job.”
    Mr. Sodergaard was not offended by this com ment. In fact, he understood it completely. Young ladies’ character had been ruined for far less.
    “Is there no other way?” the girl could not help but ask.
    Mr. Sodergaard wondered if he could simply tell Mr. Beauchamp what her hours would be and then walk the girl home every night. It was possible, but not likely. Armand Beauchamp did as he pleased and there was little that could sway him. If he weren’t such a large contributor to the partnership, his idiosyncrasies would not be tolerated.
    “If only you had a wife or sister living with you,” Karlijna spoke almost to herself as she mumbled the words.
    “That’s it,” Mr. Sodergaard jumped up and put a hand on her shoulder,” Don’t worry, Karlijna,” he