Page 12 of Escaping the Earl
“Nonsense. I can hear your stomach growling from here. Come inside, Miss...”
“Talleyrand. Sabrina Talleyrand.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Rafe Lennox, and you’ve met my little Isla.”
“Hello!” Isla piped up with a rosy-cheeked smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.” She grinned at the adorable little girl as she followed Rafe into his chamber. He set the plate of roast duck down on the table, and soon the three of them were sharing a meal. She had expected Rafe to try to make some small talk, but he seemed to enjoy eating his dinner and watching his daughter in pleasant silence.
When there was no more to share, Sabrina stood and tried to offer him a few shillings.
“Please, I shall take no money, considering how I acquired the duck. It’s only fitting I should share the bounty.”
“Well, I thank you again, Mr. Lennox.” She started back toward her room.
“Miss Talleyrand, where are you bound for, if you do not mind me asking?”
“Honestly, I am not entirely sure.” She didn’t mean to let herself sound so broken, but he clearly heard it in her voice.
Rafe’s blue eyes seemed to glow. “Are you all right?”
“Perhaps I will be someday.” She couldn’t muster up the strength to put on a brave face.
“Do you have enough money to get by for now, Miss Talleyrand?”
She nodded, a pit forming in her stomach as she saw pity in his eyes.
“Well, Isla and I are bound for London. If you find yourself there and in need of assistance, you may find us on Half Moon Street, the house with the bright-blue door. You can’t miss it.”
“Why would you offer to help me? You do not know me.”
His eyes softened, and he glanced at the child, who had somehow fallen asleep on her bed during their discussion.
“I have become more aware of the importance of helping those in need since I found Isla.”
“Found?” Sabrina asked.
“Yes. She’s an orphan I found in Edinburgh recently. I’ve taken her in as my ward, and now she is my child.”
“Do you have a wife, or a governess for her?” Sabrina asked.
“I have neither. I know...” He laughed. “A bachelor raising a mite like her. But so far it has suited me and the child quite well.”
“It is rather wonderful,” she admitted. “To love a child who does not come from your blood.”
“Not everyone shares that opinion.”
Sabrina moved toward her room. “The world would be a better place if more did. Good night, Mr. Lennox.”
“Good night, Miss Talleyrand.” His voice was deep and smooth, not quite like the whiskey-rough voice of the handsome, tawny-eyed stranger from Lady Germain’s ball, but she wished in that moment it was the man from the ball she’d run into in the hall. But that was only something that happened in fairy tales.
She closed the door and removed her gown before climbing into the small, cold bed and falling asleep. But her dreams were filled with glittering memories of waltzing with her mysterious stranger and making love beneath the stars.
5
Sabrina cursed softly as she studied her meager breakfast at the table down in the taproom of the inn. She had slept poorly the night before but had assured herself that anyone would have been unsettled by the strange, cold room.
The bread was even more stale this morning, hard enough to crack her teeth, and the flavorless porridge was somehow evenlessedible. She forced herself to eat as she debated where she was to go. London would provide more opportunities for work, but it would also be far more dangerous.
