Page 50 of The Lord who Seduced Me
When they pulled up to the orphanage, Rose could see the change come over Lydia.
She had always loved children and loved being around them. And helping them.
Rose smiled and when Mary opened the door, she gave them both a hug.
It had been a few days since they had been able to visit, what with Burk and his wounding. So, this was a nice reprieve and Rose knew Lydia appreciated it as well.
She had not come since they had found Jacob but was determined to come today. To make certain that before they left next week to prepare for their first real Christmas, that everything would be all right.
“Welcome, my lady, and my lady.”
Lydia laughed, “Mary, dear. You know it’s just Lydia. And Rose.”
Mary smiled, “I know. I called Eden that for years. It’s just me being nervous and all.”
Lydia gave her another hug. “There is absolutely nothing to be nervous about. We are not any better than you. In fact, in my eyes and my daughter’s eyes as well, you are a better woman than me. Taking care of this place and loving the children like you do. Teaching them and being so patient. You are wonderful Mary.”
Mary blushed and led them into the house and up the stairs. “Thank you my, I mean Lydia.”
Lydia smiled, and Mary showed them into the girl’s room. There were several beds, and a few were occupied.
Rose hurried into the room and Mary explained that these girls had gotten the worst of the colds and still had it.
They had not been able to go outside with the other children and Rose sat next to a small girl of about eight years.
She was in her nightgown, and her nose was red. She wiped it with a handkerchief and smiled up at Rose.
“Hello darling. How are you feeling today?” Rose asked, and the small girl coughed, quickly covering her mouth as she did so.
“Not well, but with you here, I just know it will be all right.”
Rose smiled, “That’s right. Here, let me mix you up some medicine,” and she did so.
Helping Alice sit, she lifted the small cup of mixed herbs to Alice’s lips and gave it to her. Slowly letting her drink it.
When the girl lay back, her eyes were starting to shut, and Rose knew she was tired. She had probably not been sleeping, not with the cough she had.
Rose stroked her hair, and when she felt Alice’s breathing even out, she stood.
Moving on to the next child. After giving each one the right medicine for the ailment they had, Rose and Lydia left.
Lydia knew that Rose had the musicale in the evening. Rose had not told Cabe, and she doubted that he knew where she would be.
She wished she had remedied that last night. When she had made these plans, she had been upset with Cabe.
He was everything to her. Sighing, Rose sat in the carriage next to her mother and resigned herself to the fact that he would not be there tonight.
When she got home, Lydia hugged her and thanked her for her help.
“Are you seeing Cabe tonight?”
She asked and Rose shook her head.
“I don’t believe so. I never told him I was attending the musicale.”
Lydia laughed, “Did you ever tell him about the other events you attended?”
Rose looked at her mother and shook her head, “No, I didn’t. He always just showed up.”
