If they found them.
They would both need to have faith and pray for a miracle. A Christmas miracle.
Chapter Ten
“So you see, the poor boy needs our help,” Frances finished, looking around the table at her friends the following morning, hoping they would aid her.
“Frances, I’m so sorry we didn’t truly understand what was happening yesterday at Eliza’s,” Phoebe began.
The league members—those who were available—had gathered at the lending library, somewhere they frequented, to discuss ideas for what could be done to help find Peter’s parents.
Frances had tried to explain her upset the previous day and apologized for leaving so abruptly. Thank goodness her mother had already forgiven her, especially since she was thrilled that Phoebe and her husband gave her a ride home.
“The fault is mine.” Frances pressed a hand to her temple, her distress still fresh in her mind. Just when she thought she was overcoming her shyness, it had nearly ruined everything. “Everyone was looking at me, and I-I couldn’t speak.” She shook her head. The memory was enough to upset her even now.
Even her success of finding Peter at the workhouse didn’t make up for the frustration about how she’d acted at Eliza’s. The boy had only just arrived at the workhouse and had been thrilled to see a familiar face when those he’d spoken with had been less than helpful.
“Not at all,” Harriet said as she touched Frances’ arm in support. “The unfortunate circumstances caught us all by surprise.”
“Absolutely,” Tibby said, her brown eyes full of sympathy and understanding.
Frances breathed a sigh of relief that what she saw in her friends’ expressions wasn’t pity. She knew they didn’t completely understand her shyness and why it continued to haunt her when she wanted so desperately to conquer it.
Yet the idea of explaining how one terrible moment because of a man who’d made a drunken wager was more than she could bear. In truth, the blame lay with her, for she’d allowed that moment to control her to this day. Talking about it wouldn’t help when that meant reliving it yet again, something she wasn’t willing to do.
The past was the past. She needed to let it go.
Especially since other more important issues vied for her attention. Most especially Thomas. Helping him find Peter’s family would prove to him how much she cared and allow him to see her as more than just the daughter of a wealthy man. While he’d always acted as if he liked her for who she was, she couldn’t dismiss the worry that it was because of her family’s fortune.
Besides, how could she hope to truly aid the people in the workhouse—something that was important to her—if she couldn’t manage to help one boy?
“I am at a loss as to how to help Mr. Sinclair find Peter’s parents,” Frances continued. “It seems as if he’s done everything possible to locate them. I’m hoping we can come up with a few ideas.”
“You said they recently moved here from Germany?” Rebecca asked. At Frances’ nod, the widow said, “Many German immigrants congregate in one area, and I know that’s true in London. Perhaps there’s a specific street or building where people from their region of Germany gather.”
“I believe Mr. Sinclair has checked the area where the family used to live, but perhaps he hasn’t thought to ask about that,” Frances said. “I wonder if there might be a church that feels more like home to immigrants from that particular area.”
“Yes.” Rebecca nodded with enthusiasm. “I’m sure there must be.”
“My uncle speaks German.” Harriet smiled. “I will ask if he has any suggestions.”
“Wonderful. Thank you.” Frances was beginning to feel hopeful once again.
“Obviously, we can’t wander the East End to make inquiries, but we could request the help of our servants.” Harriet lifted a brow as she looked at the other members. “Mr. Sinclair can’t visit every place on every street. But if we all offered the services of a footman or two, they could help speak to shop owners in the German neighborhoods.”
“True,” Frances agreed, her enthusiasm building. “They could also speak with servants from other households to spread the word. Someone has to know something or someone who could aid Peter.”
“You’re right.” Phoebe nodded. “News spreads quickly among servants. I’m sure they’ll be happy to help the boy in any way they can.”
The discussion continued with several other ideas emerging. Frances was reminded once again of how wonderful her friends were and how much they could accomplish together.
“There’s no simple solution, is there?” Tibby asked when the conversation slowed. “While it’s good news that the family was able to leave the workhouse, that makes it more difficult to find them.”
“It does,” Frances agreed. “But as always, you’ve been more than helpful. Thank you for the ideas and please let me know if you think of anything else. I will share these with Mr. Sinclair to see how best to proceed.”
“Are there any details we need to discuss regarding the ball while we’re together?” Millicent asked.
“It will be here before we know it.” Harriet smiled with excitement. “After all this planning, it’s hard to believe.”
