04-12-2025, 11:31 AM
Tristan gave Miss Zimmermann a grateful look, before turning to Pippa, who joined in his defence. A subtle nod of the head was all his stiff, English education would allow, but there was an affectionate glow in his gaze. Tender-hearted child. Bless her.
He was glad to hear that the Zimmermanns meant to help her with Pippa financial affairs. He had been a little worried that the orphaned young heiress would be taken advantage of by those who claimed to be her friends, but both the short interaction so far and his gut told him that the Zimmermanns had Pippa’s best interest at heart.
But when he was offered money, he hesitated. Principle told him to reject, but desperate pragmatism told him that was a fool if he did. A hundred pounds could save his practice, and more importantly, his face. It would give him time to reform his business and make it profitable. It would give him a break, so that maybe he could finally think again. Yet that same rigid education had instilled in him a sense of honour. Principle mattered. He hadn’t saved Pippa. He hadn’t even been as kind as he could have.
“You are very generous, sir,” he replied, looking at Mr. Zimmermann apologetically, “but I cannot accept. I did not take care of her on a charitable basis. Pippa… Miss Danes,” he quickly corrected himself, hoping the liberty would be overlooked given the circumstances, “applied as a maid, and I hired and treated her as such.” He turned gaze to Pippa remorsefully. “Rigidly so at times. She worked hard for her upkeep and, as I only learned this morning, she even used her hard-earned money to fill my larder. It was her own hard work and willingness to humble herself that sustained her.” His eyes lingered on her for a second, before he turned back to Mr. Zimmermann. “My good sister, Penelope, treated her more like a friend than I did, and Lord Gordon and your family did more to ensure that she was found. It would be wrong of me to accept a reward for what I didn’t do. I’ve lost a few days of income while she was ill, and if you would compensate me for those, I’d be much obliged, sir. Beyond that, if you wish to do something me, please do what you can to hide my involvement in the matter. I’m afraid gossip is already spreading and I’ve had to send my sister away to ensure her safety.”
He was glad to hear that the Zimmermanns meant to help her with Pippa financial affairs. He had been a little worried that the orphaned young heiress would be taken advantage of by those who claimed to be her friends, but both the short interaction so far and his gut told him that the Zimmermanns had Pippa’s best interest at heart.
But when he was offered money, he hesitated. Principle told him to reject, but desperate pragmatism told him that was a fool if he did. A hundred pounds could save his practice, and more importantly, his face. It would give him time to reform his business and make it profitable. It would give him a break, so that maybe he could finally think again. Yet that same rigid education had instilled in him a sense of honour. Principle mattered. He hadn’t saved Pippa. He hadn’t even been as kind as he could have.
“You are very generous, sir,” he replied, looking at Mr. Zimmermann apologetically, “but I cannot accept. I did not take care of her on a charitable basis. Pippa… Miss Danes,” he quickly corrected himself, hoping the liberty would be overlooked given the circumstances, “applied as a maid, and I hired and treated her as such.” He turned gaze to Pippa remorsefully. “Rigidly so at times. She worked hard for her upkeep and, as I only learned this morning, she even used her hard-earned money to fill my larder. It was her own hard work and willingness to humble herself that sustained her.” His eyes lingered on her for a second, before he turned back to Mr. Zimmermann. “My good sister, Penelope, treated her more like a friend than I did, and Lord Gordon and your family did more to ensure that she was found. It would be wrong of me to accept a reward for what I didn’t do. I’ve lost a few days of income while she was ill, and if you would compensate me for those, I’d be much obliged, sir. Beyond that, if you wish to do something me, please do what you can to hide my involvement in the matter. I’m afraid gossip is already spreading and I’ve had to send my sister away to ensure her safety.”
