She was in the process of cradling the babe in one arm when she noticed Finn holding a banknote out to the woman, who snatched it and raced off. The children, who’d been eerily silent until that moment, began bawling.
“Here now,” Finn said. “Who wants to ride on my back?”
“Me,” the tallest, a boy, proclaimed. The others went quiet as Finn grabbed him and swung him around as though he were a little monkey. Perhaps he was, because he scrambled up the man’s back and wound his arms about his neck and his legs around his stomach.
Finn knelt and patted his thighs. “All right, you two. Up here. Into my arms. I’d wager you’ve never seen the world from up here.”
She’d wager that as well as they rushed into his arms and he uncoiled that long lengthy body of his. Her insides did funny little twirls at the sight of him waiting patiently as the children clambered into position. She didn’t want to contemplate what a wonderful father he might have been had they married, how he might have played with his own children.
Her father had certainly never played with her. He’d always been someone to obey without question. She had no memory of ever laughing with him. She couldn’t help but believe Finn would tickle his children until he heard their laughter, his joining in with theirs.
“Let’s go,” Finn said. “Everyone, hang on tight.”
And she had this ridiculous urge to hang on to him as well. They began trekking back along the path they’d traversed earlier. The streets were quiet, dark, abandoned. She supposed the baby farmer wanted no witnesses to what she was doing. Eventually they reached the spot where the carriage was to meet them. It arrived less than a minute after they did. They settled into the carriage with the girls sitting on either side of her, the boy beside Finn. Based on their size, none of them could have been any older than four, although it was also possible their growth had been stunted with insufficient food and care.
“You were planning to handle this lot on your own?” Finn asked.
“It would have been a challenge, but I’d have managed.”
“And when she asked for more blunt?”
“I’d have arranged to meet her tomorrow or perhaps I’d have tried to bluff my way through.”
The girls were curled against her sides. She was aware of their bodies relaxing and assumed the swaying of the coach was putting them to sleep.
“From now on, Vivi, I go with you on these excursions.”
It was pointless to argue, because she knew he’d tag along even if she objected. Besides, she liked knowing he was near if something unexpected turned up. Although she was a little cautious in asking, “It seems the work you do for your brother has given you quite the reputation.”
“It’s more than me, it’s all of us. My brothers, Gillie. We’ve often helped people out of one scrape or another.”
“Well, you’ve certainly helped me, not only with the children, but with your generous offer. Here, I thought I was special,” she teased.
“You are.” His tone carried no teasing whatsoever, embarrassed her a bit with the earnestness of it. She felt as though she’d been fishing for some sort of reassurance, even though all he’d done for her already proved his statement true.
The carriage came to a halt in front of the foundling home. The path was short, so the children walked through the gate, Finn following along behind them as she led them to the back of the residence. After ushering the children inside, she turned back to Finn. “I’ll awaken one of the sisters to help me. They’re not comfortable with a man in the residence.”
“Will you need help moving tomorrow?”
She shook her head. “I have very little to bundle up.”
“Take a hansom. If you haven’t the means, I’ll pay him once you get there.”
“I do wish you wouldn’t be so generous, Finn.”
He grinned. “You complain about the oddest things.” Then he leaped off the step and disappeared into the darkness.
Turning, she came up short at the sight of Sister Theresa standing there, wondered if Finn had seen her and that was the reason he hadn’t lingered.
“Your gentleman seems most persistent,” the sister said as she retreated inside where the children were patiently waiting.
Clutching the infant close, Lavinia followed. “He’s not reallymyman.” She wasn’t pleased that her words seemed to lack utter conviction.
Sister Theresa merely gave her an indulgent smile before asking, “What do we do first? Bathe them or feed them?”
“Feed them, I should think.”
Chapter 17
