“Playing.” She smiled back at him. “It will be safe, dry, supervised, and when necessary, can be converted for fundraising events. But we’ll be able to host garden parties as well. There is an area outside for a vegetable garden, but there must also be flowers.”
He cocked an eyebrow at that, and she lifted her chin defiantly.
“Beauty is one of life’s necessities. It soothes wounded souls.”
For an instant, he saw it through her unjaded eyes. But only for an instant.
“These… children. They have never been taught right from wrong. There will be discipline issues. They will likely rob the orphanage blind and the older ones will bully the younger ones.”
He almost felt bad as some of the excitement left her eyes. But it was better this way. Better she did not enter into this venture wearing rose-tinted spectacles.
“You said it yourself.” She finally broke the silence. “Some things are worth it.”
She was not broken; she was not ready to give up. She appeared to be as determined as ever.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and then followed her as she strolled across the room, their footsteps echoing off the ceiling and walls. “It’s dangerous, Lydia.”
“I know.” She spun around to face him. “I’m well aware, as is Lady Baxter. We have budgeted for security and close supervision—both during the daytime and at night. The children will have proper teachers and a nurse. I can afford the building and much of the renovation. But after that… That’s where your money comes in. At least until we can begin hosting art exhibitions and concerts to attract other sponsors.”
“So, you won’t be draining my coffers indefinitely.”
“We will not, unless of course, you cannot bear to walk away from us…” They’d been teasing, but at these words, the spark in her eyes flickered and she bit her bottom lip.
Feeling a twinge of guilt, Jeremy ignored the hurt in her eyes and rocked on his heels. She had obviously done her research. Her expectations appeared to be realistic, and her conviction to seeing this through seemed firm.
She said beauty soothed the soul. Her beauty would soothe any man’s soul.
But not mine.
“Baxter sent the terms over yesterday.”
She jerked her head up, blue eyes clear and intelligent.
God, he’d missed her.
After spending less than an hour in her company, he was having difficulty summoning the great bitterness he held for her brothers. He’d felt an inkling of it when she’d first stepped into Baxter’s office, but today…
All he saw washer.
He would help her with her orphanage. Someone had to. It might as well be him. Blackheart was a fool for leaving her with no one but an elderly aunt to keep her in check.
“Have you decided then?” She didn’t sound timid. She sounded as though she was presenting him with a brilliant opportunity.
“I’ll provide the funds.”
Lydia’sfirst inclination was to bounce on her toes in excitement and clasp her hands together in joy. Her second inclination was to stifle the urge.
But this was Jeremy.
So she responded with something in between. “That’s marvelous!”
She did not jump forward and throw her arms around his neck as she’d really like to. And she absolutely did not press her mouth against his.
But this was a step in the right direction.
“On one condition.” He folded his arms across his chest, and she could almost believe he was only pretending to glare down at her.
Nonetheless, she tempered her excitement. “And that is?”
