Page 49 of Love with a Notorious Rake

But Cristyn was made of sterner stuff. When the opportunity presented itself, she would demand answers from Aidan Black. Then she would tell him exactly what she thought of his shameful behavior. But her heart ached regardless. The disappointment was acute.

Once she stepped into the yard, she lifted her skirts and broke into a run.

* * * *

Aidan laid three shillings on the table. “This is yours if you tell me what goes on at the mill.”

Tessie eyed the coin greedily, then met Aidan’s gaze. “Like what?”

“The dark secrets.”

“You want tattle? Gossip?”

Aidan crossed his arms. “It’s a good place to start. Are any of the children caught up in this? Are they preyed upon for sexual purposes?”

Tessie gave him a shocked look. “I’ve heard nothing like that. The masters like young women, but not children. Lord, I hope not.”

There’s a mercy. “How young?”

“Seventeen, eighteen. Not children; I’m pretty sure of it.”

“Take a seat, Tessie.”

She glanced at the finely upholstered chair and shook her head. “Me clothes are dirty, and me hands, from the machine—”

“Please, sit.”

She did, though she looked thoroughly uncomfortable. Aidan pulled up a chair next to her. “How often does this happen? Being taken into the storeroom? Or called to McRae’s office? What about Meeker; is he involved?”

Tessie exhaled shakily. “I can’t speak for others, but when I was sent for I were told it be for discipline, for not working fast enough. Meeker brings the women to Master. He knows what goes on. Master, well he…said I deserved to be punished. He asked if I would accept his punishment. I had to say yes. Said he don’t like what Hanson likes, the sucking and such. Then he…bent me over his desk.”

Jesus. “How often?”

“Once a month. Sometimes twice. I’ve seen others taken upstairs. Young, like me. Some were crying when they come back to the spinning. One called Peg disappeared real sudden three months back. I heard she be pregnant, and Master shipped her away.”

Miserable bastard. But from what his father and grandfather had stated, there were many like McRae and Hanson, taking advantage of their positions of power.

“Others…have gone missing,” she murmured.

“Who?”

“Children. Some get sick. Then they’re gone. New ones come in. He buys them, like they be goods. I heard he only let the doctor look at the children because it was becoming too costly to keep replacing them. I hear he starves them. Keeps them in the cellar like rats. No one dares to say anything.”

Tessie was becoming braver, more talkative. Aidan remained silent and allowed her to continue.

“The machines ain’t maintained proper. They’re dangerous. They break down too much. Mr. Miller, he tries to do what he can.”

Aidan had noticed.

“We aren’t paid enough. Not given the proper amount of breaks. They work those children too hard. Someday there is going to be an accident….” Tessie bit her lower lip. “I’ve said too much. And not only to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Miss Bevan came in the back way and I…” Tessie gave him a sheepish look.

Aidan vaulted to his feet. “She was here? When?” he demanded.

“Before I came upstairs—”