“I can hardly forbid you. Not if it’s a matter of urgency. But I shall have to speak to my niece. She may have something to say on the subject.”

At that very moment, a soft tap sounded at the half-open door. Mrs. Archer poked her head in. “Aunt Charlotte. I thought I heard your voice.” She looked to Clara. “Is everything all right?”

“Do come in, Laura,” Mrs. Bainbridge said. “Miss Hartwright must leave us for a time. Her brother is in trouble at university.”

Mrs. Archer’s ebony brows lifted as she sat down next to her aunt on the cloth-draped settee. “Nothing serious, I trust?”

Clara folded her hands in her lap, feeling herself under painful scrutiny. She’d only just taken up her position. To leave so soon—and at such a time—would put Mrs. Archer to great inconvenience. Without a companion in residence, she’d be obliged to look after her aunt herself. “I don’t know, ma’am. I must go there and find out. I hope it won’t take more than a few days, and I shall come back directly, but I—”

“Of course you must go,” Mrs. Archer said. “But not this very moment, surely?”

“She plans to leave day after tomorrow.” Mrs. Bainbridge’s mouth flattened into a line. “There will be no point in her coming back.”

Clara’s stomach dropped all the way to her slippers. Was she being dismissed?

“Quite,” Mrs. Archer agreed. “It makes no sense for you to travel all the way back to Devon, Miss Hartwright. If your business with your brother takes longer than a day or two, you may go straight to my aunt’s cottage in Surrey. The housekeeper, Mrs. Crabtree, will look after you until we return.”

It was all Clara could do to disguise her relief.

Mrs. Bainbridge addressed her niece. “Someone must accompany her.”

“Oh no,” Clara protested. “I don’t require an escort.”

“Cambridge is rather far,” Mrs. Archer said.

“I’m more than capable of making the journey. I’ve traveled all over England by rail. And I don’t wish anyone to make a fuss. I only…” Clara steeled herself. “I only would ask that you—if it’s at all possible—see fit to advance me my wages. I’ll need money for my fare, and for my board and lodging.”

Mrs. Archer nodded. “I’ll speak to my husband.”

Clara suppressed a swell of unease. Before nightfall, everyone in the house would know she was leaving. “I’m sorry to put you in this position.”

Mrs. Archer stood. “We shall manage. Won’t we, Aunt Charlotte?”

“We managed well enough before you insisted on hiring a companion for me.” Mrs. Bainbridge rose to join her niece. “I’ve told you, Laura, I’m not an invalid.”