Lord Berkeley’s mouth turned into a grimace. “That is not ideal.”
Lydia laughed at the understatement. “Not in the least. I will figure something out though. I keep attempting to convince him to leave London, but he will not see reason.”
An unidentifiable expression crossed his face. He looked around all of a sudden.
“I am sorry. I did not mean to keep you from your errands.”
She lifted the basket she was carrying. “I am only delivering a basket to the children. I was hoping to focus on someone besides myself today.”
“Fanny and her siblings? Might I join you?”
Her brows rose. Despite the end of their association through Lord Charles, he still wanted to spend time with her? The thought made her chest expand, pushing aside some of the hollowness that had filled her since her conversation with Lord Tarrington.
“Yes. Of course.”
He led the way down the small alley, fishing for something in his pockets. He held out a few candy sticks.
“Ah,” she said, “so that is how you’ve earned their love?”
Half his mouth lifted in a smile—sending her heart into an uproar—before he stopped in front of a door and knocked twice.
Chapter 22
Lucas watched Miss Faraday fromthe corner of his eye as they awaited the door opening. He’d acted without thought in hailing her down on the street, but he couldn’t bring himself to regret it. It was natural to hail a friend, was it not? And that was what he and Miss Faraday were.
Of a sudden, a memory of Marietta shaking her head at him overtook his thoughts. He’d seen that look of disappointment on her face far too many times. Why would it appear now of all times?
He took several surreptitious breaths to work through his emotions at the memory. He’d managed to stuff them back down by the time the door creaked open. Lucas had to look to knee height to see who was looking around the door frame.
But then the little girl smiled wide and pulled the door open, looking at them both with twinkling eyes. “I told ’em you’d come again.” And she disappeared into the flat, apparently expecting them to follow.
Lucas gestured for Miss Faraday to go first then he followed.
“Anne,” Lydia whispered after the girl, who turned at her voice. “We did not mean to interrupt your day. I can just leave this with you...”
Little Anne shook her head. “You ain’t in-rupting. Mama’s up with Georgie. He cut himself real bad on some glass bottles and needs a’stitching, but Mama’s tremors are so bad, and Fanny ain’t half so good at her needlework.”
Miss Faraday froze. “Your brother’s hurt?”
Anne nodded. “Yer basket’ll make him so happy. Come.”
Lucas and Miss Faraday shared a bewildered look, but Miss Faraday pressed on up the narrow staircase and into the next room, so Lucas did likewise. The scene before them was humbling as always. Papered walls that were peeling, a patheticfire in the grate that made the room stifling, and a little boy moaning on the couch with an older lady bent over him.
“Anne, who was— Oh gracious!” The woman jumped to her feet wiping her hands on a cloth. Her eyes widened. She dropped into a curtsy. “Lord Berkeley. Has Anne... or what... Dear me, please come in.”
“Do not worry yourself on our behalf, Mrs. Frisk. We will not interrupt your day for long. Might I introduce you to my friend, Miss Faraday?” Lucas lifted a hand to indicate her.
Stepping forward with a hand outstretched, Miss Faraday smiled kindly. “I met your children some time ago and wished to say hello. I was delayed in my coming but wanted to give this to you.” She held out the basket. “And Lord Berkeley here brought something for the children.”
Anne clapped her hands together, looking up at Lucas while bouncing on the balls of her feet expectantly.
Lucas stooped to be closer to her eye level, always feeling far too large and menacing when he spoke with children. He handed out the candies. “Share them with your siblings,” he said softly. Anne whooped, grabbing the handful and running straight for her brother.
Lucas came back to a stand. “Miss Faraday’s was the basket I brought last time I was here.”
Mrs. Frisk was still staring at the basket Miss Faraday held, but then she reached out with trembling hands. “Thank you,” she murmured. “This is too much.”
Miss Faraday smiled. “It was no trouble. I will just leave, then... except...” She peered around the woman. “Is George all right?”
