To Thomas’s surprise, the boy reached for his hand as well, and the tight knot of worry inside him finally began to ease.
The trio walked down the steps to where one of his servants opened the carriage door. Thomas assisted Frances to step in, then Peter, before glancing at Frances’ footman. “If you would wait here a moment.”
The servant looked at Frances for her agreement, who nodded. “Of course, sir.”
Once the carriage door was closed, Thomas looked between the two of them, who sat together on the opposite bench, before his gaze settled on Frances. “How did you find him?”
She heaved a sigh. “When you left Eliza’s I—” She shook her head as if too distraught to explain. “I couldn’t think of how to aid you. Everyone was looking at me for ideas, and I had none.”
“You weren’t supposed to.” Thomas longed to take her into his arms to comfort her based on her troubled expression.
“Yes, well, I didn’t, and instead of staying to discuss suggestions with the others, I fled.”
Between the color in her cheeks and the way her focus held on the floor, she was obviously disappointed in herself. Her shyness must’ve overcome her. He’d nearly forgotten how debilitating it could be, something he’d witnessed during the house party.
“At any rate, I left my mother at Lady Eliza’s, which I will never hear the end of, and took the carriage home. But shortly after I arrived, it occurred to me that Peter might have returned to the workhouse to look for his family. I asked our footman to accompany me and came here.”
Thomas hated to think how unhappy her mother would be when she found out about where Frances had gone. Then again, Frances wasn’t a debutante and had already made several visits to the workhouse with the league members for other reasons.
Peter’s gaze held on the floor of the carriage. “I’m sorry for the trouble,” he whispered. “I vanted to see if my family was still there.”
“That’s understandable. I’m just relieved you’re safe,” Thomas said. “I know how upsetting it is that we haven’t found your family yet. But I haven’t given up. Far from it.”
“I intend to help as well,” Frances added. “I mentioned the problem to a few of the league members, but I will formally request their help as soon as possible. I should’ve done so today.” She glanced at Thomas. “I confess that I became distracted.”
“As did I.” Remorse rushed through Thomas yet again. He’d placed his own wants above Peter’s and regretted it. But he would make up for that misstep immediately. “I’m sorry, Peter. I hope you will forgive me.”
Thomas was careful to keep his gaze away from Frances. He had a long way to go before he could hope to win her hand when he couldn’t keep his promise to a child. He’d put Peter in danger by pushing him to the side and couldn’t risk allowing that to happen again.
Thomas waited until they were nearly home before he spoke to Peter again to give the boy time to gather his emotions which were obviously in turmoil.
Thomas could relate for his were as well. He was still fighting back the fear that had overtaken him at the thought of Peter being alone on the cold and dangerous streets of the city.
Yet watching Frances step out of the carriage had also been upsetting. He hadn’t wanted her to go. Every moment with her was precious.
How could he balance what he felt for Frances along with what he wanted for his future with her as opposed to helping Peter? He wanted both equally.
At the moment, that seemed impossible. Perhaps because it was. His military service had trained him to prioritize and that held true now.
Peter had to be his priority.
Thomas should be used to someone other than himself taking precedence. He’d lived his whole life trying to find a way to earn his place in his family and the world. Being a second son wasn’t easy when only one was needed. He’d failed every time he tried to forge a place for himself—at home, in the Navy. Was it any wonder he’d latched onto the hope of finding it in New York?
Instead, he’d found Peter and now he’d failed him.
“Peter,” he began.
“I’m sorry,” the boy said between sniffles. “It’s just that when I saw the way you looked at the lady yesterday, I knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That she has your heart. Papa watches Mama with the same look. I didn’t want to be in your way. You’ve already done too much for me.”
Thomas’s heart twisted. “You will never be in my way. You mustn’t give up hope of finding your family. I want nothing more than that as well.”
Peter nodded, though his reserved expression suggested he didn’t quite believe it.
Thomas knew the boy had already had his hopes dashed so many times that he would only be convinced when they found them.
