Not long after Sir Richard had departed another message arrived at the front door. This message was from the Matron at the orphanage wondering if “Mistress Jasmine” might be able to provide emergency care for some unexpected arrivals.
An hour later the Matron of the orphanage came around with two screaming newborn babies in baskets carried by two of the older orphans. ‘These infants were left at our door earlier today. We cannot provide the nutrition they desperately need. The other wet nurse we use has found her milk supply to be inadequate. Please help us. We are desperate. The two little girls need someone to suckle them’
Patricia answered for Jasmine. ‘Mistress Matron, we hear your plight but Lady Jasmine is already caring for three babies. We cannot possibly add to her burden’
‘But these children will starve. We have no alternative! I have put word out to find another new mother but none are forthcoming. Please it will only be temporary. As soon as we find an alternative wet nurse we can take the children back’
Jasper came downstairs from the nursery where she had been once more feeding Bry and Brook. ‘Hello Matron, what brings you to our house?’ She pretended she was ignorant of the conversation, even though she had heard every word.
‘Nurse Jasmine, you look well. How is your milk production?’
‘It is ample. More than ample. The babies thrive’
‘So I have heard. The Countess is most impressed at how her granddaughter is growing. She has given glowing references of you’
‘Young Brook is now sitting up all by herself. She is a happy, bubbly child. Care you to come to the nursery and I can show you’
‘I have no doubt that the child is progressing very well. I would like to see Lady Brook, but it is another more urgent matter that has bought me to your door’ She indicated the crying twin girls. ‘These infants were left at the orphanage today. They are starving. We need someone to suckle them and I have been unable to locate an alternative nurse’
Jasper took a look at the babies. They were the twins she had secretly dropped at the orphanage only hours earlier. It appeared they had been washed and wrapped in new blankets. ‘They are adorable. What do you call them?’
‘We have not given them names but the girls called them Flossy and Dossy on the way here’
‘What lovely names. Which would be Flossy?’
‘This one’ said the orphan girl holding one of the babies. ‘She has hair. Dossy is bald’ both babies were wailing. They sounded weak
‘The child sounds weakened’ observed Jasper.
‘She is. They both are. They would not take the cows milk we offered them. I know not how long since they have been fed. They are newborns. I fear for their survival if we don’t find someone to care for them this night’
‘Their wails are making my milk flow. I will sate their thirst’
‘Jasmine! We cannot take on two more babies!’ called Patricia who had been listening to the conversation.
But Jasmine had already uncovered her breasts and was attaching an infant to each. The wailing died instantly as the babies instinctively each attached to a nipple.
‘It would only be temporary Mistress, until an alternative nurse was found’ pleaded the Matron. ‘If it would help, Molly’ she indicated the girl who had spoken earlier, ‘Could stay with you and take on duties as an extra maid in your service. She is but 10 so would not need a wage and doesn’t eat much. She is a fast learner and is already highly skilled with the needle. I have heard that your husband’s business is doing very well’
‘We don’t have bedding, we don’t have clothes’
‘Ahh! But we have just received a bequest from the new Duke. We have been given beds and clothes that our new master’s no longer need after their latest renovations’
‘Did you say beds? Could you provide 3 beds? Chelsea and Penelope currently sleep on the floor in the attic’ bargained Patricia.
‘Damon (who had also come form the orphanage) has told me that you have renovated the attic and there is space a plenty. I could arrange for three beds to be bought around here tomorrow morning’
‘In that case welcome to the household Molly’