practiced for a few years. One learns to be patient.”
“Robbie told me you take him now and then to see Nan Brooks.”
She nodded. “It has helped him to adjust to life here.”
“He told me she has a baby girl with her now, but I saw no sign of jealousy.”
“No. Robbie regards the little girl with tolerance. You see, he is a big boy now.” Her smile broadened.
“And now I have a more serious question,” he said, lowering his voice.
“Yes, what is it?” she asked breathlessly.
“What are light-fairies?”
The dimples puckered her cheeks again, a sweet reward. “Ah, light-fairies,” she said. “One morning the locket I was wearing caught a sunbeam and reflected it about the drawing room. Now we make a game of dancing the light around and pretending it is a fairy.”
Finches, hedgehogs, light-fairies.
What a life for a child. What a beautiful life.
But as he gazed at Lady Dearing, her smile faded again. The feeling stole over him that he was wasting his time. All was well here. Perhaps he should just let it be, as Bromhurst and Aunt Louisa counseled. He was not needed; he just made them all nervous.
But he’d promised to spend the rest of this day and tomorrow with Robbie, teaching him his letters, playing with him, earning his trust and that of the other children. He had promises to fulfill, and so many unanswered questions.
And perhaps he could make Lady Dearing smile again.
* * *
“I wish I’d been there to see it!” Bromhurst laughed heartily after Jeremy had related the tale of Mr. Wiggly-nose and his breeches.
Jeremy hoped it would ease his friend’s anxiety; he knew why Bromhurst had taken to inviting him for a stroll on the Hospital grounds after each weekly meeting.
“But seriously, I am pleased to hear your good account of how matters stand at Rosemead. Perhaps you need not continue?”
Jeremy had braced himself for this.
“There’s so much I still don’t know, and the older children are still shy of me. Why do you ask? Has there been talk?”
“No, but you are running a risk by continuing this course. Lady Dearing is a fascinating woman, but if it is said you are succumbing to her charm—”
He forced all expression from his face. “I know the risks. So does she, I believe. She’s given me no reason to think she sees me as anything but a Governor of the Foundling Hospital.”
And it was just as well, he told himself fiercely. Her continued restraint, tinged with a hint of anxiety, kept him safe from succumbing to the temptation to become more closely acquainted than necessary.
He needed no reminders of the importance of maintaining a spotless reputation. Or any reminders of the consequences of undisciplined passion.
“Well, I am glad to hear that,” said Bromhurst. “I just wouldn’t wish you to start feeling sorry for the woman, or thinking she’s the victim of false reports.”
“Surely you do not believe all that nonsense Sir Digby spoke about her?”
“Most of it is rubbish,” said Bromhurst bluntly. “But the rumors about her and Arlingdale might not be. I’ve seen her in his presence myself, at the theatre. He has been seen escorting her into the Pulteney as well.”
Jeremy clenched his jaw. “Does that mean they are lovers? But earlier you said—”
“Don’t look so stunned. Since she has dealt successfully with some of our most troublesome cases, I see no use in encouraging idle rumors,” said Bromhurst, raking his fingers through his grizzled hair. “She’s an independent and eccentric woman; Arlingdale’s a charming rake, said to have many mistresses. The ladies are all agog over his golden hair and Grecian profile. Perhaps she leads a double life: mothering her children at Rosemead and meeting Arlingdale in London on occasion. It does not necessarily follow that the children will suffer for it.”
“I am shocked to hear you say it. But perhaps you are right,” he conceded, knowing he was on slippery ground.
It was painfully easy
“Robbie told me you take him now and then to see Nan Brooks.”
She nodded. “It has helped him to adjust to life here.”
“He told me she has a baby girl with her now, but I saw no sign of jealousy.”
“No. Robbie regards the little girl with tolerance. You see, he is a big boy now.” Her smile broadened.
“And now I have a more serious question,” he said, lowering his voice.
“Yes, what is it?” she asked breathlessly.
“What are light-fairies?”
The dimples puckered her cheeks again, a sweet reward. “Ah, light-fairies,” she said. “One morning the locket I was wearing caught a sunbeam and reflected it about the drawing room. Now we make a game of dancing the light around and pretending it is a fairy.”
Finches, hedgehogs, light-fairies.
What a life for a child. What a beautiful life.
But as he gazed at Lady Dearing, her smile faded again. The feeling stole over him that he was wasting his time. All was well here. Perhaps he should just let it be, as Bromhurst and Aunt Louisa counseled. He was not needed; he just made them all nervous.
But he’d promised to spend the rest of this day and tomorrow with Robbie, teaching him his letters, playing with him, earning his trust and that of the other children. He had promises to fulfill, and so many unanswered questions.
And perhaps he could make Lady Dearing smile again.
* * *
“I wish I’d been there to see it!” Bromhurst laughed heartily after Jeremy had related the tale of Mr. Wiggly-nose and his breeches.
Jeremy hoped it would ease his friend’s anxiety; he knew why Bromhurst had taken to inviting him for a stroll on the Hospital grounds after each weekly meeting.
“But seriously, I am pleased to hear your good account of how matters stand at Rosemead. Perhaps you need not continue?”
Jeremy had braced himself for this.
“There’s so much I still don’t know, and the older children are still shy of me. Why do you ask? Has there been talk?”
“No, but you are running a risk by continuing this course. Lady Dearing is a fascinating woman, but if it is said you are succumbing to her charm—”
He forced all expression from his face. “I know the risks. So does she, I believe. She’s given me no reason to think she sees me as anything but a Governor of the Foundling Hospital.”
And it was just as well, he told himself fiercely. Her continued restraint, tinged with a hint of anxiety, kept him safe from succumbing to the temptation to become more closely acquainted than necessary.
He needed no reminders of the importance of maintaining a spotless reputation. Or any reminders of the consequences of undisciplined passion.
“Well, I am glad to hear that,” said Bromhurst. “I just wouldn’t wish you to start feeling sorry for the woman, or thinking she’s the victim of false reports.”
“Surely you do not believe all that nonsense Sir Digby spoke about her?”
“Most of it is rubbish,” said Bromhurst bluntly. “But the rumors about her and Arlingdale might not be. I’ve seen her in his presence myself, at the theatre. He has been seen escorting her into the Pulteney as well.”
Jeremy clenched his jaw. “Does that mean they are lovers? But earlier you said—”
“Don’t look so stunned. Since she has dealt successfully with some of our most troublesome cases, I see no use in encouraging idle rumors,” said Bromhurst, raking his fingers through his grizzled hair. “She’s an independent and eccentric woman; Arlingdale’s a charming rake, said to have many mistresses. The ladies are all agog over his golden hair and Grecian profile. Perhaps she leads a double life: mothering her children at Rosemead and meeting Arlingdale in London on occasion. It does not necessarily follow that the children will suffer for it.”
“I am shocked to hear you say it. But perhaps you are right,” he conceded, knowing he was on slippery ground.
It was painfully easy
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