pretense, there was a clearness in his gaze and a firmness about his lips and chin that spoke of quiet strength, common sense, and an unwavering hold on his world.
The carriage slowed. She looked out of the window; the railings circling the yard of the Foundling House came into view. Given what she’d undertaken, what she’d started through her meeting with Elderby, Reggie might just be the godsend she needed.
Leaving Reggie outside the main office, Anne returned Benjy to the matron-in-charge, Mrs. Keggs, then, once Benjy had hurried out to join the other boys, remained to tell Mrs. Keggs of the outcome of their mission.
“His lordship should be properly ’umbled, and do the right thing by the lad.” Mrs. Keggs fluffed like an agitated hen. “He’s a good lad, he is—no reason he couldn’t hold his head high, not even in his lordship’s circles.”
“Indeed—we must hope his lordship sees the light. But if he doesn’t, we’ll simply persevere. I chose to approach Lord Elderby first, but there are other members of the family I could contact, and will if need be.”
With an encouraging smile, she left Mrs. Keggs and returned to the office. From the bench outside, his legs stretched out, booted ankles crossed, Reggie watched as she went inside. The look in his eyes stayed in her mind; in his chameleonlike way, he could be seriously helpful should she enlist his aid.
As quickly as she could, she dealt with the various matters awaiting her attention in her capacity as the House’s administrator in charge of the children’s welfare. Penelope was in charge of their education; Portia handled the fund-raising and public awareness. Anne’s sole concern was the children themselves, their well-being, their happiness, their futures.
She was perusing an account for candles when a large shadow blocked the doorway. Looking up, she saw Reggie; he caught her eye and raised a brow.
Color rose in her cheeks; she gestured to the small pile of accounts before her. “I really must deal with these.”
His eyes held hers, then he nodded. “I’ll wait.”
He drew back; she imagined him heading back to the hard bench. She got the distinct impression he’d thought she was trying to evade him—make him wait until he grew bored, gave up all thought of interfering, and left. Lips lifting, she turned back to the bills.
Fifteen minutes later, she rose, bade the secretary good bye, and went out. Reggie uncurled his legs and stood as she approached; falling in beside her, he closed his hand about her elbow and escorted her down the steps. As if he didn’t intend to let her go until he learned all he wished. Hailing a hackney, he assisted her into it, then followed and closed the door.
“Now!” He frowned at her. “What the devil did you think to achieve by shocking Elderby into incoherence by confronting him with—”
He broke off. She continued, “With Benjamin, a close relative?”
Lips thin, Reggie nodded. “Indeed.”
She thought back. “He was truly shocked, wasn’t he? He didn’t know.”
“He nearly had heart failure. And yes, I agree— he didn’t know the boy existed. He was shocked by an unknown, not surprised and angry that something he knew about had surfaced.”
“Exactly!” Pleased to have her reading of Elderby’s reaction confirmed, she eagerly continued, “So if Benjy is not Elderby’s son, then…”
To her surprise, Reggie frowned. He studied her eyes, then stated, “If you’re asking me, I wouldn’t like to guess.”
It was her turn to frown. “But that only leaves Thomas, doesn’t it? And given his reputation, it hardly seems a long bow to draw—”
“Before you get too far down that road, there’re a few points you should consider. Yes, Thomas could be Benjamin’s father, but if so, the liaison happened when Thomas was in his early twenties and hardly difficult to approach. The boy says he was living with his mother in Clerkenwell—had she told Thomas? If so, rake or
The carriage slowed. She looked out of the window; the railings circling the yard of the Foundling House came into view. Given what she’d undertaken, what she’d started through her meeting with Elderby, Reggie might just be the godsend she needed.
Leaving Reggie outside the main office, Anne returned Benjy to the matron-in-charge, Mrs. Keggs, then, once Benjy had hurried out to join the other boys, remained to tell Mrs. Keggs of the outcome of their mission.
“His lordship should be properly ’umbled, and do the right thing by the lad.” Mrs. Keggs fluffed like an agitated hen. “He’s a good lad, he is—no reason he couldn’t hold his head high, not even in his lordship’s circles.”
“Indeed—we must hope his lordship sees the light. But if he doesn’t, we’ll simply persevere. I chose to approach Lord Elderby first, but there are other members of the family I could contact, and will if need be.”
With an encouraging smile, she left Mrs. Keggs and returned to the office. From the bench outside, his legs stretched out, booted ankles crossed, Reggie watched as she went inside. The look in his eyes stayed in her mind; in his chameleonlike way, he could be seriously helpful should she enlist his aid.
As quickly as she could, she dealt with the various matters awaiting her attention in her capacity as the House’s administrator in charge of the children’s welfare. Penelope was in charge of their education; Portia handled the fund-raising and public awareness. Anne’s sole concern was the children themselves, their well-being, their happiness, their futures.
She was perusing an account for candles when a large shadow blocked the doorway. Looking up, she saw Reggie; he caught her eye and raised a brow.
Color rose in her cheeks; she gestured to the small pile of accounts before her. “I really must deal with these.”
His eyes held hers, then he nodded. “I’ll wait.”
He drew back; she imagined him heading back to the hard bench. She got the distinct impression he’d thought she was trying to evade him—make him wait until he grew bored, gave up all thought of interfering, and left. Lips lifting, she turned back to the bills.
Fifteen minutes later, she rose, bade the secretary good bye, and went out. Reggie uncurled his legs and stood as she approached; falling in beside her, he closed his hand about her elbow and escorted her down the steps. As if he didn’t intend to let her go until he learned all he wished. Hailing a hackney, he assisted her into it, then followed and closed the door.
“Now!” He frowned at her. “What the devil did you think to achieve by shocking Elderby into incoherence by confronting him with—”
He broke off. She continued, “With Benjamin, a close relative?”
Lips thin, Reggie nodded. “Indeed.”
She thought back. “He was truly shocked, wasn’t he? He didn’t know.”
“He nearly had heart failure. And yes, I agree— he didn’t know the boy existed. He was shocked by an unknown, not surprised and angry that something he knew about had surfaced.”
“Exactly!” Pleased to have her reading of Elderby’s reaction confirmed, she eagerly continued, “So if Benjy is not Elderby’s son, then…”
To her surprise, Reggie frowned. He studied her eyes, then stated, “If you’re asking me, I wouldn’t like to guess.”
It was her turn to frown. “But that only leaves Thomas, doesn’t it? And given his reputation, it hardly seems a long bow to draw—”
“Before you get too far down that road, there’re a few points you should consider. Yes, Thomas could be Benjamin’s father, but if so, the liaison happened when Thomas was in his early twenties and hardly difficult to approach. The boy says he was living with his mother in Clerkenwell—had she told Thomas? If so, rake or