getting a bit more rambunctious than he should with all these exhibits around. But I have him well in hand now.”
Not what he’d planned to say, but he’d decided at the last second it was what he needed to say in order to stay in Miss Darling’s good graces, which was where he dearly wanted to belong.
“Very good then.” With authority, the constable strode away.
Sterling turned his attention back to Miss Darling. Gratitude shone in her eyes, but he didn’t want gratitude. He wanted passion, fire, desire.
“Your arm must be getting tired. I’m certain you can put him down now,” she said.
“I’m much stronger than I look, Miss Darling.”
“ ’n’ quick, too,” Charley muttered.
“Is he likely to run off if I release him?” Sterling asked.
“No. You won’t will you, Charley? I should be terribly disappointed if you did.”
Charley shook his head. To Sterling’s surprise, he didn’t take off when his feet landed on the floor. Miss Darling held out her hand again. “Give it over, Charley.”
He brought out what had once been a crisply ironed handkerchief and was now a wrinkled, balled bit of cloth. Sterling hoped he’d have no reason to need it before he returned home.
Miss Darling seemed to recognize his disgust with the object because she said, “I shall wash and press it before having it returned to you.”
“I believe that’s acceptable.” He studied the boys brushing up against her skirts. One towheaded lad, two with hair as black as coal, and the brown-haired imp who’d picked his pocket. “Are these your children, then?”
“Yes, from my orphanage. I’ve been bringing a few when I have time in hopes of giving them all a chance to at least see some of the exhibits. We were about to have our lunch, before I lost sight of Charley. I’m grateful to you for herding him back toward me.” She glanced around as though about to ask him to steal the Koh-i-noor diamond, which was on exhibit. “We’re going to enjoy a small picnic. I feel I owe you because of the trouble with Charley. Would you care to join us?”
He gave a low bow. “Miss Darling, I would be truly delighted.”
Sitting on the blanket she’d placed over the grass, Frannie could hardly believe that Greystone had accepted her invitation and was lounging beside her, stretched out on his side. He’d loosened the buttons on his beige jacket to reveal his pale yellow waistcoat. His green cravat went so perfectly with his weathered complexion.
Mr. Donner, the driver of Luke’s carriage, and the footman were keeping an eye on the boys as they ran around the park, working off some excess energy. She knew it was difficult for them to be on such good behavior within the confines of the Exhibition. They were only newly off the street and accustomed to scampering about London with no adult supervision, far too old for their years.
“I must apologize again. I’m terribly sorry that Charley took your handkerchief.”
Greystone nibbled on a bit of cheese. “I’m not. Do you have any idea how much money I’ve gambled away at Dodger’s, hoping to catch a glimpse of you?”
“Five thousand pounds.”
His eyes widened and she gave him a teasing smile. “I am, after all, the bookkeeper.”
His deep laughter echoed between them, circling around her, and capturing her as effectively as if he’d used his arms.
He grew serious, his blue gaze holding hers of green. “So, now I’m intrigued, Miss Darling. You must have some interest in me; otherwise why remember how much money I’ve handed over?”
“I’ve never claimed not to have interest in you, Your Grace. As a matter of fact, considering our encounters, I believe it fair to state that I’ve undoubtedly expressed an interest in you.”
He rose up on his elbow and leaned nearer to her. “Tell me, Miss Darling, have you been spying on me while I’ve been at Dodger’s?”
She wanted to cradle his face between her hands and kiss him. Was it proper for a
Not what he’d planned to say, but he’d decided at the last second it was what he needed to say in order to stay in Miss Darling’s good graces, which was where he dearly wanted to belong.
“Very good then.” With authority, the constable strode away.
Sterling turned his attention back to Miss Darling. Gratitude shone in her eyes, but he didn’t want gratitude. He wanted passion, fire, desire.
“Your arm must be getting tired. I’m certain you can put him down now,” she said.
“I’m much stronger than I look, Miss Darling.”
“ ’n’ quick, too,” Charley muttered.
“Is he likely to run off if I release him?” Sterling asked.
“No. You won’t will you, Charley? I should be terribly disappointed if you did.”
Charley shook his head. To Sterling’s surprise, he didn’t take off when his feet landed on the floor. Miss Darling held out her hand again. “Give it over, Charley.”
He brought out what had once been a crisply ironed handkerchief and was now a wrinkled, balled bit of cloth. Sterling hoped he’d have no reason to need it before he returned home.
Miss Darling seemed to recognize his disgust with the object because she said, “I shall wash and press it before having it returned to you.”
“I believe that’s acceptable.” He studied the boys brushing up against her skirts. One towheaded lad, two with hair as black as coal, and the brown-haired imp who’d picked his pocket. “Are these your children, then?”
“Yes, from my orphanage. I’ve been bringing a few when I have time in hopes of giving them all a chance to at least see some of the exhibits. We were about to have our lunch, before I lost sight of Charley. I’m grateful to you for herding him back toward me.” She glanced around as though about to ask him to steal the Koh-i-noor diamond, which was on exhibit. “We’re going to enjoy a small picnic. I feel I owe you because of the trouble with Charley. Would you care to join us?”
He gave a low bow. “Miss Darling, I would be truly delighted.”
Sitting on the blanket she’d placed over the grass, Frannie could hardly believe that Greystone had accepted her invitation and was lounging beside her, stretched out on his side. He’d loosened the buttons on his beige jacket to reveal his pale yellow waistcoat. His green cravat went so perfectly with his weathered complexion.
Mr. Donner, the driver of Luke’s carriage, and the footman were keeping an eye on the boys as they ran around the park, working off some excess energy. She knew it was difficult for them to be on such good behavior within the confines of the Exhibition. They were only newly off the street and accustomed to scampering about London with no adult supervision, far too old for their years.
“I must apologize again. I’m terribly sorry that Charley took your handkerchief.”
Greystone nibbled on a bit of cheese. “I’m not. Do you have any idea how much money I’ve gambled away at Dodger’s, hoping to catch a glimpse of you?”
“Five thousand pounds.”
His eyes widened and she gave him a teasing smile. “I am, after all, the bookkeeper.”
His deep laughter echoed between them, circling around her, and capturing her as effectively as if he’d used his arms.
He grew serious, his blue gaze holding hers of green. “So, now I’m intrigued, Miss Darling. You must have some interest in me; otherwise why remember how much money I’ve handed over?”
“I’ve never claimed not to have interest in you, Your Grace. As a matter of fact, considering our encounters, I believe it fair to state that I’ve undoubtedly expressed an interest in you.”
He rose up on his elbow and leaned nearer to her. “Tell me, Miss Darling, have you been spying on me while I’ve been at Dodger’s?”
She wanted to cradle his face between her hands and kiss him. Was it proper for a
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