Louisa shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s not an orphanage, Louisa.” Jane set her napkin on the table. “St. Giles House is a refuge for cripples and invalids. Men, and specifically those who’ve been injured in the course of their work, rendering them unemployable and a physical burden on their families. We provide care for them and assistance for their kin, if required. We have fourteen residents at the moment. Is that right, Charles?”
He gave a nod. “Yes, that’s right.”
Louisa grimaced. “Forgive me, I assumed wrongly. Is it open to visitors? I should very much like to see it, if we have the time.”
Charles shook his head. “I don’t think that would be wise. It is not a place for the faint-of-heart.”
Louisa’s hackles bristled. “Who, here, is faint-of-heart?”
“I meant no offense, dear lady,” he replied. “But you are gently-bred, and I fear you might find the experience difficult.”
Maxwell cleared his throat. “I think Charles is simply concerned that you might be distressed by what you see there, my dear.”
“Oh, but I’m certain I shall be,” Louisa replied. “To witness suffering andnotbe distressed by it would be shameful. I assure you, however, I am not given to the vapors. Besides, if I should begin to feel overwhelmed, I shall simply seek the door.”
“I must favor Louisa’s argument,” Jane said. “Her interest in the venture is understandable, after all.”
“A bilateral female attack, Charles. We’re done for.” Maxwell sat back in his chair. “That being the case, would a visit be in order?”
“Certainly,” Charles replied, amiably. “Would you still care to walk, or shall we take a carriage?”
Everyone agreed to the walk, which to Louisa’s delight, meandered, for the most part, along the river. At one point, Jane and Charles had moved a little way ahead, leaving Louisa to speak to Maxwell with some privacy.
“It suits you, Max.” Louisa, her arm looped through his, gazed up at her husband. “A day away from work, I mean. You look wonderfully at ease. Perhaps you should consider taking more time off in future.”
A small frown came and went. “Would that I had that luxury, my dear. The business does not run itself.”
“But you have Finlay. He seems more than capable of—”
“Not now, Louisa.” He patted her hand. “Perhaps we can discuss it another time.”
Not an unreasonable response, she supposed. And at least she’d broached the subject. Put the idea in his head. Whether or not he’d consider it remained to be seen. She nodded her agreement. “You’re right, of course. Now isn’t the time. It’s been a lovely day so far. I’ve enjoyed it very much.”
“You and Jane seemed to have forged a friendship,” he said.
“Yes, we have. She’s delightful. Perhaps we can return the invitation and have them come to Northcott for a few days.”
“Perhaps,” he said. “As long as I’m not called away on business, of course.”
Which is very likely.The acerbic response remained in Louisa’s head, though she tussled with a temptation to say it out loud. The sudden sound of ducks quacking shifted her attention to the river, where a passing rowboat had obviously disturbed the birds. The boat contained a young couple; the man at the oars, the woman facing him, her face shaded by a lacy, cream-colored parasol. The man said something, and thewoman laughed, a sweet sound that made Louisa smile. “How romantic,” she said. “It’s a perfect day for such an outing.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Maxwell asked.
She blinked. “Do what?”
His arm tightened against hers. “Visit the institution.”
“Yes, I’m positive.” Unable to resist, she voiced the wicked thought that had just slid into her head. “I’m not made of porcelain, Maxwell. I thought I made that clear to you that night in the East Parlor.”
The suggestion of a smile appeared. “I’m just concerned you’ll find the experience too disturbing.”
“I’ve witnessed things on London streets that I found terribly disturbing. I cannot imagine this place to be any worse. Have you visited it often?”
“Twice only. The last time was when you saw me with Jane a few weeks ago. And I was also present when the institution was first opened. At that time, they had only a half-dozen residents. Obviously, that number has since grown.”
“And it was all done with your help.”
