LITMIR.BIZ

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was not an isolated opinion. Alistair knew that many affluent men had no wish to spend any part of their personal wealth on the welfare of the sick and the downtrodden, not even when those who suffered were children. But Alistair worked to a higher ideal. He had long been impressed by the example set by Thomas Coram, the gentleman who had founded a hospital for the care and education of young children cast aside by society, and he was convinced that the need for that type of housing was greater than ever. If those who had the wherewithal to help didn’t make the attempt, countless innocents would die. He had the money and the time to invest in such a cause and he was happy to do it.

      Besides, his reasons for establishing the orphanage went far deeper than any one knew. The day he had seen an eight-year-old girl purposely walk into the path of an oncoming carriage was the day his life had changed for ever.

      There hadn’t been time to react, either on his part or the coachman’s. The carriage had thundered down on that poor child and she had been knocked aside by the lead horse, killing her on the spot. The carriage hadn’t stopped. Alistair doubted the occupants were even aware of what happened. But he had made a vow, then and there, that whatever he could do to better the lives of children like that, would be done.

      He wondered what Victoria Bretton would say about his inclinations. Would she look at him differently if she knew? Would she think better of him and perhaps be more willing to entertain his suit?

      And then, as if conjured by thought alone, she appeared on the street ahead of him. She was strolling with her brother, the sound of her laughter drifting along the street towards him. She was dressed all in green and looked as beguiling as spring.

      Alistair knew the moment she saw him. Her laughter stopped, but he saw the telltale rush of colour to her cheeks. And though that too receded, the fact it had been there at all gave him hope.

      Unfortunately, there was still a feeling of unease between them as a result of the unfortunate conversation they’d had the day he had driven her home from the Gryphon Theatre. It had lessened slightly after their conversation at Lady Hincham’s garden party, and he had hoped their evening together at the Gryphon would have resolved it entirely. It was the reason he had been so insistent that she join him and Isabelle for the seventh performance of Valentine Lawe’s play.

      But it had become clear to him right after the meeting with Victoria and her uncle at the foot of the grand staircase that she had still been very much on edge. She looked as though she had received news of a most disturbing nature, and it wasn’t long after that she and her brother had left.

      Alistair just wanted the distance between them to be at an end. He was desperate for a sign that she wasn’t as unaware of him as he feared.

      ‘Well, this is an unexpected pleasure,’ he said, drawing his phaeton to a halt. ‘Good morning to you both.’

      ‘Good morning, Mr Devlin,’ Laurence said. Victoria only smiled, but while her hand stayed in the crook of her brother’s arm, Alistair noticed that her fingers tightened on his sleeve. ‘You look very satisfied with yourself.’

      ‘In fact, I have had a very productive morning and am on my way to share some good news with someone who will be very pleased to hear it.’

      ‘May we enquire as to the nature of the business?’ Victoria asked.

      He looked down at her and knew the moment was at hand. ‘You may enquire, Miss Bretton, but rather than tell you, I wonder if you would allow me to show you what I am so pleased about.’

      ‘I’m not sure how one shows another person good news, Mr Devlin.’

      ‘That depends on the nature of the news. But if you would allow me, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.’

      An expression of interest flashed across her face, as well as a flicker of curiosity—something Alistair knew very few women were capable of resisting. ‘Very well, you have piqued my interest, sir.’

      ‘Mr Bretton, you are most welcome to join us,’ Alistair said, knowing it would be impossible not to extend the invitation to her brother as well.

      Thankfully, Laurence declined. ‘It is good of you to ask, but I have an appointment elsewhere. Victoria can tell me about it when she gets home. I trust you to take good care of her.’

      Alistair smiled. ‘I will do my best.’

      Minutes later, he and Victoria were clipping along in the direction of the orphanage. Alistair knew it was too late to change his mind. They were set on a course and he was anxious to see what Victoria’s response to his undertaking would be.

      She was quiet as they drove through the narrowing streets. The house was located in an area north and east of the Gryphon Theatre, in a part of town Alistair doubted Victoria would be familiar with. There were no fine shops or attractions to which a young lady visiting London would have any reason to go, but it suited his purposes well enough. He had acquired the house some years ago as the result of a business transaction and, until a few months ago, it had been sufficient for his needs. But as the children kept coming, it had quickly grown too small, hence Alistair’s decision to purchase a larger house.

      He turned at last into the street and stopped the carriage in the usual place. Thomas appeared within moments, as if drawn by the sound of carriage wheels. After tossing the lad a coin, Alistair turned to help Victoria alight. ‘Before we go in,’ he said, ‘I want you to know that if you feel uncomfortable at any time, or wish to depart, you have only to say so. But it was necessary that I come here today and I wanted to share this with you.’

      ‘Why?’

      A dozen answers sprang to mind. He gave her the most honest. ‘Because your opinion matters to me.’

      Intense astonishment touched her face, but after a moment’s consideration, she nodded. ‘Then pray proceed, Mr Devlin. I am curious to see what this is all about.’

      He unlocked the door and pushed it open.

      Jenny was standing in the entrance hall. Blonde hair hung lank around her cheeks and, upon seeing Victoria, she gasped and ran back down the corridor, disappearing through a door at the end.

      ‘Who was that?’ Victoria asked.

      ‘Jenny.’ Alistair ushered her inside and rang a small silver bell on the table. ‘She doesn’t speak. At least, she hasn’t since her arrival here.’

      ‘Has she been injured?’

      ‘Not physically. The doctor said her vocal cords are fine, but she witnessed—’

      Alistair stopped, not sure how much of Jenny’s sad story he should reveal. But while Victoria’s face was pale, her voice was steady when she said, ‘What did she witness?’

      It was the calmness of her manner that decided him. ‘A violent crime. She ended up here because it wasn’t safe for her to remain where she was.’

      Victoria kept her eyes on the door through which Jenny had just disappeared. ‘Are there others here like her?’

      ‘Yes. Their circumstances are all different, but their reasons for being here are the same,’ Alistair said, wondering where Mrs Hutchins was. ‘They were all brought here to recover.’

      Finally, Mrs Hutchins did appear, emerging from the same doorway through which Jenny had disappeared. ‘Mr Devlin, I’m so sorry,’ she said, wiping her hands on her apron. ‘I heard the bell but I couldn’t leave Molly. She’s had a terrible bout of coughing. I’ve sent young Teddy for the doctor.’

      Alistair felt despair well up in his soul. ‘Take me to her.’ He saw the housekeeper’s gaze go briefly to Victoria and said, ‘Miss Bretton, this is Mrs Hutchins. Mrs Hutchins looks after the children here.’

      Victoria immediately put out her hand. ‘I am very pleased to meet you, Mrs Hutchins. Please, take us to see Molly.’

      The housekeeper nodded. ‘I hope you don’t mind the sight of blood, miss,’ she said, turning to lead the way.

      ‘I’m

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