The Settling of Scores

Chapter 2

Murphy House

            Priscilla took inventory of the linens in the linen closet along with Mrs. Toddleston. She'd been at Murphy House almost two weeks and had yet to meet the owner, Captain Murphy. It seemed as long as Mrs. Toddleston and Mr. Hitchings, the butler, thought she would make a capable housekeeper, the captain was happy with their choice.

            Any messages Captain Murphy wanted the housekeeper to have were delivered through Mr. Hitchings. He never spoke directly with Mrs. Toddleston since he purchased the house.

            In the days since her arrival, Priscilla only glimpsed her new employer twice. Both times he was leaving the house for his office, dressed in a great coat and hat made it hard for her to discern what Captain Murphy looked like. She determined only a few things about him. The man was very, very tall and had very, very broad shoulders. The man made other men she'd known look like dwarfs.

            "I've decided to leave the middle of next week," Mrs. Toddleston informed her as Priscilla did the linen count. "I'm looking forward to the journey there."

            Mr. Hitchings and Mrs. Toddleston informed Priscilla just yesterday that the housekeeper's position was hers. Priscilla almost cried when told. She also thanked God that her prayers had been answered.

            "I would imagine it would be interesting to see all the different parts of America as you travel west. Have you wired your sister you're date of arrival?" Priscilla asked her.

            "I did that yesterday along with purchasing my train ticket. I'm so excited about going to live somewhere different. I've been in Bridgeport my whole life. I married then was widowed early, like you were, then found a job as a cook before working my way to housekeeper. When the Duchess moved here, though we didn't know then she was a duchess of course, I applied for housekeeper's position and she hired me. Course most of the time she was gone, sailing her ship she was, but never a better person to work for then Amanda Herrington."

            "I heard she was the captain of her own ship," Priscilla said. "It's hard to imagine a woman as a captain."

            "Her father taught her and after he died she came here to America from England and started her own shipping company. Captain Murphy was already here and knew her from England, they partnered in the company along with a Captain Cameron and Mrs. Trenton.

"Before the Duchess returned to England Captain Murphy became partners with Miss Sinclair. Now he looks after both companies though I understand the Duchess is moving hers to England soon. Miss Sinclair married another duke that came to visit and now she's in England, too. Married him right here in this very house. It was something grand to see."

            "My," Priscilla said smiling at Mrs. Toddleston. "I wish a duke would come along and marry me." Funny she thought, at one time she hoped for that, but like her other dreams that they ended with her father's death.

            "Well, who knows, you're young enough and pretty enough you might still marry a duke some day." They both laughed.

            "I'll be happy here with my position as housekeeper," Priscilla said. "I think the days of my marrying a duke or anyone else, for that matter, have long passed."

            "We never know what the future holds for us," Mrs. Toddleston said.

            "Not that Mr. Brightmore wasn't a good husband," Priscilla said. "But I don't think I want to ever marry again."