Of one thing she was certain: working as a maid of all work would not be a long term walk of life. Again, she wanted something better, and had hope that in England new opportunities would open for her.
The nursemaid, Leena Jensson, was twenty-four years old. Her family name, Jensson, unlike Elizabeth’s patronym, Gustavsdotter, was a heritable one. The practice of giving heritable names had been gaining favor in the last few decades, especially among families dwelling in the city.
As Leena’s use of baby talk when speaking to children and adults alike continued, Elizabeth began to think the woman spoke that way naturally. The baby talk reminded Elizabeth of Bess, but with none of the charm. She gritted her teeth every time she heard her name pronounced as Ewisabet.
“Please, call me Leena,” the nursemaid said, and Elizabeth complied with difficulty, wanting instead to call her Weena.
Leena’s personality matched her grating voice in many ways. Although Elizabeth tried to befriend the woman, she found spending time with the nursemaid tedious and irritating. Leena frequently acted in a manner too childlike, her concerns simple and unambitious. Still, after Elizabeth’s neglect of Hortense, she considered her relationship with the nursemaid a penance of sorts; a good opportunity to practice putting someone else’s interests above her own. If I can do that for Leena, Elizabeth decided, I can do it for anyone, and I’ll be a better person for it.
She saw Herr Olovsson rarely, and would speak to him in a conversational manner on four more occasions in the three years of her employment within the household, always at a time when Fru Ellstromsdotter’s was gone from the home in the afternoon. Each occasion, he asked for her to make him a cup of coffee. He sat in the kitchen and drank it while she worked, and asked about her happiness. She always assured him that life in his household brought her contentment.
“Yours is the best coffee I’ve ever had,” he told her. “My morning coffee is never enough. When I’m away, and must drink the mud others make, I long for yours.”
Her heart swelled with pride and she thanked him. She thought of her father who had always expressed appreciation for her coffee, if not for her alone. She imagined that Herr Olovsson would make a fine father when he could devote more time to his children.
“I can imagine a day when you’re married to a man who loves your coffee as much as I do,” Herr Olovsson said, “so much so that he drops whatever occupation he holds and opens a coffee shop. He will believe he’s in charge, but he would have nothing without you, my dear.”
Although Herr Olovsson laughed, Elizabeth liked his fanciful notion. She also liked being referred to as his “dear.” If her father never noticed her worth, Herr Olovsson certainly did. Knowing she had his approval made her more tolerant of the man’s cold, hard wife.
Chapter 7:Small Conspiracy
One morning in May of 1861, while Elizabeth helped Leena fold linens, the nursemaid asked, “Will you keep a secret for me from our employer?”
Elizabeth didn’t answer immediately. She was curious, though, since the woman had dropped her baby talk when asking for the favor.
“My mother is ill, suffering from grippe. I must go to her. I asked Fru Elstromsdotter for permission to do so, but she won’t allow it. Since she’ll be gone attending her lady overnight, I could leave for a time and she wouldn’t know I was gone. If you’d keep the children during the evening, I would go see my mother and return around midnight.”
Elizabeth responded well to Leena’s change of tone.
Perhaps she dons the childish manner for effect, Liza suggested.
“What if she comes home early?” Elizabeth asked.
“She won’t.” Leena said flatly.
In the four months Elizabeth had worked for Fru Ellstromsdotter, the woman had returned in the evening only on one occasion when she’d said she’d be gone for the night. The reason given was that the noblewoman Fru Ellstromsdotter served had had to leave suddenly to be present for the birth of a granddaughter.
Elizabeth smiled and said she would keep the secret. She had few concerns beyond the possibility of being caught in a deception, and, since the duty would be only short-term, she looked forward to being in charge of the children. Even so, Elizabeth experienced relief when Leena returned home that night and their conspiracy remained a secret.
In the months that followed, the nursemaid asked for the same favor several times. As Elizabeth became skeptical of the woman’s consistent excuse, Leena explained. “My mother has had problems with her health ever since I was born. I do my best for her.”
“I worry—”
“Yes,” Leena interjected, “but the hazard is truly mine.”
“I’m not certain what I should say if Fru Elstromsdotter comes home while you’re gone.”
“You should say whatever seems reasonable.”
She’s certainly confident, Liza said.
Because Elizabeth was sympathetic and willing to hold her secret, Leena took the habit of leaving one night a week to visit her mother.
Life within the Olovsson household was so boring that Elizabeth found herself vicariously enjoying the nursemaid’s risk.
~ ~ ~
Fru Ellstromsdotter came home unexpectedly on an evening in the autumn of 1861, and asked about the nursemaid’s absence.
Liza had a simple lie prepared for Elizabeth. “Someone called at the house to say that her mother had taken ill. I told her I would take care of your sweet boys until she returned.”
Fru Ellstromsdotter seemed satisfied, but obviously unhappy with the news. Although something about her manner suggested she felt thwarted in some way, she didn’t give voice to it.
When Leena returned, she displayed no surprise upon seeing the lady of the house.
Fru Ellstromsdotter asked after the nursemaid’s mother.
“She was feeling a little better when I left her,” Leena said. “I’m sorry I left so suddenly. I believe I left the children in good hands.” She nodded toward Elizabeth.
“I expect this is something that won’t happen again.”
“Yes, Fru Ellstromsdotter,” Leena said, “You can expect that.”
The nursemaid lower her eyes and head in a submissive stance. While Leena wasn’t speaking to the lady of the house in baby-talk, her words were simple and her tone that of a guileless young girl.
She’s knows just what to say and how to behave to avoid punishment, Liza said.
~ ~ ~
As Elizabeth cleaned the nursery the next day, she spoke to Leena. “I don’t feel good about lying to Fru Ellstromsdotter.”
“I understand,” Leena said. She rocked the children in their cribs with the hope that they might nap through the afternoon. “Perhaps I can make it worth your while by giving you my wages for the hours you stand in for me.”
Elizabeth found the deal attractive and agreed. Leena had ceased to use baby talk when in conversation with Elizabeth. Liza had been right when she suggested that the nursemaid donned the innocent face, complete with baby-talk, for effect. Elizabeth had broken through to the genuine Leena, and they were becoming friends.
What had been a once per week occurrence became more frequent. In the summer of 1862, Leena was caught missing again. Elizabeth told Fru Ellstromsdotter the same story she had the last time, then added a detail she regretted. “The doctor came for her this time.”
The lady of the house had a look of skepticism. Elizabeth shrugged. Fru Ellstromsdotter shook her head slowly and turned away.
Belatedly, Elizabeth realized that a doctor would not leave a gravely ill patient to run such an errand.
When Leena returned, the lady of the house demanded to know why she’d left.
“I’m very sorry, Fru Ellstromsdotter,” Leena said. “My mother was ill again. She suffers pleurisy after a bout with pneumonia.” Gesturing toward Elizabeth, she said, “Again, I left your precious ones in capable hands.”
Fru Ellstromsdotter had a stiffness about her, as if a rebuke stood on the tip of her tongue
, but apparently she couldn’t find a reasonable argument against the compassionate grounds for Leena’s absence.
“Did the doctor come for you?” she asked Leena, her words short and sharp.
The nursemaid glanced at Elizabeth too briefly to communicate anything. “No, Fru Ellstromsdotter, his assistant.”
The lady of the house looked at Elizabeth suspiciously. Following an awkward silence, she said to Leena “In the future, you must send word to me before leaving the house.”
“Yes, Fru Ellstromsdotter,” the nursemaid said.
The lady of the house turned to Elizabeth. “At the very least, you should have sent word that Fru Jensson had been called away.”
“Yes, Fru Ellstromsdotter,” Elizabeth said. She lowered her eyes and then her head the way she’d seen Leena do.
“Now, off to bed with the both of you,” the lady of the house demanded.
~ ~ ~
Elizabeth did not feel comfortable with Fru Ellstromsdotter becoming upset with her for Leena’s deception. Since the nursemaid was paid little more than Elizabeth, the added income from the deal they’d struck didn’t amount to much.
While taking a break from washing pots and pans in the kitchen to allow more water to heat on the stove, she sought Leena in the nursery. Elizabeth found her sitting on the floor with the children, playing with soft dolls the nursemaid had made from yarn and telling a story about them. Although the toddlers couldn’t understand the tale, they gave her all their attention. Elizabeth smiled to think that Leena genuinely cared for the children.
When a pause occurred in Leena’s story, Elizabeth said, “I’m sorry, but the extra income is not worth the risk. If Fru Ellstromsdotter finds out I’m lying to her, I’ll lose my position. She will understand if you explain about your mother’s continuing illness.”
“No,” the nursemaid said, looking up, “she won’t. I once tried to take a day to see my sister married, and she would have none of it. She is a woman of humble origins who never expected to have servants. She likes it too much, and prefers to think she owns us.”
Elizabeth didn’t want to argue. Again, she weighed the risk and the money.
Leena’s lips pinched together as though she were considering something, then she said, “I’ll give you two riksdaler each time I go out.”
That equalled a day’s wages. Elizabeth knew her eyes had become wide and her mouth had dropped open.
She’s up to something besides visiting her mother, Liza said. Still, that’s a good deal. Don’t question her, just accept it.
We’ll become rich enough within a year to book passage to England, Bess said.
Elizabeth merely nodded her head for Leena.
~ ~ ~
Elizabeth began watching out for Leena’s return on the nights the nursemaid was out of the house. Once the children were safe in bed, she’d sit in the shadows of her upstairs bedroom where the view from windows allowed her to see up and down the lane in front of the house. She became weary of the practice after a couple of months of seeing the nursemaid return alone. Finally, in the autumn of 1862, she saw a carriage arrive in the lane perhaps one hundred yards away from the house to the west. At first she thought the vehicle was a coach for hire. Then, as Leena and a man stepped down from it, Elizabeth decided that the man had been driving. They stood among the shadows of a shopfront, kissing for some time, then Leena left him and made her way inside.
Her lover must mean the world to her, Bess said. If the carriage belongs to him, he is certainly a prosperous fellow.
Thinking of all she’d earned from Leena since they’d struck their new deal, Elizabeth was fascinated by the idea that a man could be worth so much to a woman. Then, she realized that the money she received to keep Leena’s secret might have come from him. Elizabeth wanted to get a good look at the fellow. She continued her vigil through the winter and into the year of 1863. As the months passed, she did see Leena with the man, sometimes arriving on foot, sometimes by carriage. Elizabeth couldn’t quite make out his features. One night in late summer, he looked a bit shorter than usual.
She has a new lover, Bess said, one who loves her even more than the last.
That didn’t seem right.
Keep watching, Liza said, her suspicion obvious, but uncomfortable.
On a night in December of 1863, an older man seemed to stand in the shadows kissing Leena, and Elizabeth came to a conclusion she didn’t want to accept, yet was hard to avoid.
She stopped looking out for the woman’s return, kept her suspicion to herself, and continued to take the nursemaid’s money.
~ ~ ~
In February, 1864, Fru Ellstromsdotter again came home unexpectedly in the evening.
Upon seeing the lady of the house, Elizabeth’s thoughts came in a panicked rush, too fast for careful consideration. She chose not to use the same excuse as before, and told Fru Ellstromsdotter that Leena’s mother had been taken to the hospital. Inspired by her own fall, Elizabeth said, “I believe she fell from a height and broke her leg.”
The lady of the house looked at her in disbelief. “Fru Jensson’s mother is of advanced age,” she said. “She would not be scaling any heights.” She was quiet for a moment, then donned her cloak and left the house in a rush.
Elizabeth was relieved until she realized that the hospital was not far away. Her dread built in intensity until Leena, her head bowed, entered the house with Fru Ellstromsdotter following right behind her.
Elizabeth tried to catch Leena’s eye, but couldn’t.
“For your lies, I am terminating your employment, Fru Gustavsdotter,” Fru Ellstromsdotter said, glaring at Elizabeth. “And you’ll receive no references from me.” She seemed to compose herself before continuing. “Fru Jensson has persuaded me to allow you to stay the night. Tomorrow she will take you to her mother’s home where you may stay briefly until you find other lodgings.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak and Fru Ellstromsdotter slapped her across the face. “I’ll hear no more from you. If you speak again within my home, I’ll put you out immediately. Now, go to bed.”
Elizabeth followed the nursemaid to their room. If Herr Olovsson had been home, she might have considered taking the problem to him and pleading for her job. He had left within the week and wouldn’t return for almost a month.
Once the door to their room was closed, Leena spoke to her in a whisper. “Why did you tell her my mother broke her leg?”
Mortified with embarrassment, Elizabeth sat on her bed. Leena sat next to her.
“I thought she needed to believe your mother was in great danger to justify your absence. I didn’t think she’d find out I was lying.”
“I’m so sorry,” Leena said. “I know you were trying to help.”
“I’m sorry I failed you. What will you do?”
“I’ll be fine,” the nursemaid said. “I still have my position.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth, but found herself speechless.
You covered for the woman, and now you’ll suffer for it, Liza said. She continues to deceive you. That’s what comes from placing other’s interests above your own.
At least you earned something for your trouble, Bess offered.
“She went to the hospital,” Leena said, “then came to my mother’s home. She could see that my mother is ill.”
Elizabeth turned and looked her in the eye. “You’re a prostitute!” she said, her expression showing anger while her words were whispered.
Leena hung her head. “Yes,” she said. “I could not afford to take care of my mother otherwise. I was with my mother, not a man tonight. Lucky for me, since Fru Ellstromsdotter came to our door.”
Her mother was indeed ill—Elizabeth finally understood. She took Leena’s hand, and the nursemaid turned and hugged her.
“You can stay with my mother for a few days. Then, if you’d like, I can introduce you to someone who can find work for you, the work I do some nights.”
“That’s illegal!”
Elizabeth turned away without a response. She put on her nightclothes, crawled in her bed, and tried unsuccessfully to sleep.
As she tossed and turned, she thought about the opinions, insights, and advice given by Bess and Liza Black Tongue.
Do they cause more problems than they help solve, she wondered.
The two internal voices were as often wrong as they were right. Hearing from them was much like listening to any friend, family member, or even a stranger; everything they had to say was colored by formative experiences.
Bess’s messages were ones of hope, the perspective she offered often allowing Elizabeth to see beauty and the hopeful possibilities ahead in life. Liza’s messages were ones of fear, her mistrustful perspective helping to warn Elizabeth of real dangers on occasion.
Reality often lay hidden between their opposing points of view. Bess had told Elizabeth the first man she’d seen with Leena was the nursemaid’s lover. If Elizabeth hadn’t accepted that warm idea, her suspicions about the woman’s motives might have been raised. Liza had warned her not to question Leena’s motives for offering the most recent financial deal for fear that Elizabeth’s conscience might get in the way.
Of course she could no more shut off the voices that arose unbidden in her mind than she could shut off the sun. She considered attempting to ignore them, but that didn’t seem possible either, since frequently they blended together and were indistinguishable as anything save Elizabeth herself.
Jack the Ripper Victims Series: The Double Event Page 5