Page 99 of Ruthless with a Rogue
She bit her knuckle.“Derek?”
“Yes, love?
“Fetch your spectacles.”
His deep chuckle wrapped around her, and she wanted nothing more than to clutch it close and never let go.
50
Livy
Livyenteredthroughthedoors of the Second Chance House for Foundlings in Hatton Garden, immediately followed by Aunt Mellie and Quinton.Derek had written that the litter of puppies had arrived today.Her stomach fluttered.She was excited to see the children, to see the puppies, but there was also something deeply personal about the moment.This home, the children, stood above all else in Derek’s heart.And he was sharing that with her.
It was part of the reason she’d asked Quint to come along.He’d always been like a brother to her, and there was a part of her that wanted him to see the Derek she saw.See, brother, this is the man I want to spend my life with.Isn’t he wonderful?Heavens, she was ridiculous.
They gathered in the modest entryway, lit by the large windows flanking the front door.The space was clean, unadorned, but clearly well-tended.A plump, rosy-cheeked woman with a dainty lace cap upon her brown chignon came bustling forward, hoots of laughter and high-pitched tones of children’s chatter following in her wake.
She bobbed a curtsy as she smiled warmly at them.“Welcome to the Second Chance Home.My lady.Good sir.Miss.”She nodded to each in turn, her eyes bright and welcoming.“My name is Mrs.Green, and I am Matron and housekeeper of the home.”
A very young footman with a mop of dark brown hair hurried forward, gaze downcast, and took their shawls and Quinton’s hat before scurrying off.Livy’s gaze followed the gangly boy.He couldn’t be more than twelve.
“That there is young Simon, one of our charges,” Mrs.Green explained, gesturing toward the hallway, and the group fell into step behind her.
They passed what looked to be a library or study, children sprawled over various settees, armchairs, couches, and even on the floor, little noses buried in books.Livy smiled softly, an envious warmth spreading over her.
“Do you typically employ your charges, Mrs.Green?”Quinton asked.
“Oh, no, not employ.The children, once old enough—and mature enough”—she added, looking back with twinkling eyes—“take turns doing various tasks throughout the home.The boys alternate in the positions of footman or hall boy or groom.The girls, kitchen maid, parlor maid, lady’s maid.It grants them the opportunity to test out various positions within the safety of the home, learn beneficial skills, and instills responsibility.A busy child is one not getting up to mischief.”She winked.
“We also bring in various tradespersons who provide lessons and information on their specialty.Once the children are of age, they can choose to move out to an apprenticeship.All of which are very carefully vetted.Quite a few of our girls end up as seamstresses with one of London’s modistes, Mrs.Bean.”
“Oh, how lovely.”Aunt Mellie glanced at Livy with a smile.“We are familiar with Mrs.Bean.”
Mrs.Green nodded with a smile.“The girls always look forward to her visits.”She looked back at Quinton before she resumed leading them down the hall.“And to finish answering your question, sir.We do occasionally employ a charge once they are old enough to seek employment outside the home.However, more often than not, those employed here are individuals whom the benefactors have…determined need a new place of employment.”
“So it would appear the benefactors save more than just children here then?”Quinton murmured.
“Yes,” Mrs.Green said fondly.“Girl, boy, woman, man, all the way down to the horses in the mews were once wounded doves.The benefactors save them all.”
Quinton caught Livy’s eye, and she saw the same sentiment reflecting back at her.Admiration, and a deep respect.She wasn’t surprised, especially considering Derek’s protective nature, but it still warmed her, still filled her with soft wonder.
Her friend eyed the home, his light russet brows tangled together thoughtfully.Livy had never seen him look at anything with such gravity.“How many children do you house, Mrs.Green?”
He peered inside another relatively quiet room.Soft snickers and the occasional squeak came from the room.Livy joined Quint and grinned.A group of children, toothy smiles on their faces, scrambled around as they avoided a blindfolded child careening around the room.Livy stifled a chuckle as a little boy let out a yelp when the blindfolded child caught hold of him.
“Blind Man’s Bluff,” Livy and Quinton echoed at the same time, exchanging a smirk.
Everything inside her went soft as she stared at the revelry.Oh, how lovely it would be to play Blind Man’s Bluff with her own passel of children.To have a family of her own, one with a fatheranda mother, one with siblings to share laughter and adventure.Little black-haired boys with wild waves and vibrant green eyes.
“That would be the parlor, reserved for fun and games,” Mrs.Green said.“And we house fifty, sir.”
Quinton stopped abruptly.Livy and the others slowed to a halt and turned to him.His jaw had gone completely slack, his brows—the same deep russet as his hair—disappearing behind his overlong curls.“Fifty.All in this home?”
His gaze spanned the hallway, and Livy followed his gaze, the same shock settling in.How on earth did they fit fifty children in here?
Mrs.Green’s eyes took on a sad glint, though her smile didn’t falter.“Yes, we are fit to bursting at the moment.Fifteen of the charges are meant to move to the second home the benefactors are building.Soon everyone will have the space they need.”
The happiness in Livy’s heart fizzled out at Mrs.Green’s words.Did the housekeeper know of the funding issues?Goodness, Livy couldn’t imagine fifty children living in one house.Though Quinton may have implied the home small, it was still a sizable house.Many affluent members of the ton lived in something similar.But they were a family of perhaps four or five, notfifty.
