Chapter Thirty-Eight
Dorothy had finally decided on the best course of action. She went to Nancy, Miss Bingley’s maid, and said, “I have something that would be of great interest to your mistress.”
“And what might that be?” Nancy snapped.
Dorothy raised an eyebrow. “What is it worth to you?”
“How can I possibly know that in advance?” Nancy countered, irritation in her voice.
Dorothy hesitated. Nancy had been a sweet girl when she had first been hired, but three years in Miss Bingley’s service had made her short-tempered and mean-spirited.
Nancy, seeing Dorothy’s hesitation, said, “I will give you a shilling at least, and then more if your information warrants it.”
“Five shillings,” Dorothy said at once. “And I can promise you that it will be well worth it to your mistress.”
“Very well; but you will be sorry if I do not agree!” Nancy said, threateningly. She turned and dug her reticule out of a drawer and gave Dorothy five shillings. “Go on, then.”
Dorothy reached into her skirt pocket and produced the note. Nancy took it and read it, and her mouth fell open. “Miss Bingley will be livid that her brother did not tell her,” she said.
“But everything grateful to you for having found it out!” Dorothy reminded her.
“Yes, indeed. Well, you were right to bring it to me, Dorothy.”
Dorothy held out her hand and waited. The two women stared at one another for a minute, and finally Nancy’s gaze dropped; she went back to her reticule and produced another five shillings for Dorothy.
Dorothy thanked Nancy graciously, and left the room, smiling to think that she now had ten shillings to send home to her father.