Thomas’s relief at having united them at last made him realize just how worried he’d been that it wouldn’t happen. He was thrilled beyond words. But this wasn’t enough. He was determined to help them regain their feet, regardless of the cost. He couldn’t wait to share the news with Frances, knowing she’d be just as ecstatic as him.
Frances paced her bedroom late that afternoon, hardly able to contain herself as she wondered whether Thomas had found Peter’s parents. Would he remember to send her a note? Did she dare send one to him? Even better, she’d like to call on him to hear the news firsthand.
But doing so would cause more problems than it would solve. Her mother would be horrified. Lady Penworth, whom she had yet to formally meet, would more than likely be so as well.
Yet how could she possibly bear to wait for news? While advising her as to how matters had progressed was probably the last thing on Thomas’s mind, Frances hoped he’d remember.
A knock on her door had her turning. “Enter.”
Sylvie, her maid, opened the door with a smile. “Mr. Sinclair is calling.”
Frances’ heart leapt. “Please have him shown to the drawing room.”
She followed Sylvie down the stairs, not bothering to waste a moment checking her appearance. She only wanted to hear what had happened, if anything.
Though tempted to continue down to the entrance, she waited in the drawing room for Thomas, hardly able to contain herself.
He soon strode into the room, and one look at his face made it clear that he had good news.
“You found them?” She hurried forward and reached for his outstretched hands.
“We did.” His grin was contagious. He squeezed her hands in his excitement. “Peter has been reunited with his family.”
“How wonderful. Tell me everything.” She gestured toward the settee near the fire, thrilled when he followed her to it. “Why were they using the Hoffman name?”
“As I think I told you earlier, Mr. Schmidt had been injured at work and that was why they were forced to enter the workhouse. After he recovered and found another position, they went to leave and were advised that Peter had run away.”
“What? They lied to him?” Shock and outrage stiffened her entire body.
“It seems so. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt looked for him at every opportunity without success.”
The emotion in Thomas’s voice had her pressing a hand to ease the ache in her heart at the idea of those poor parents combing the streets desperate to find their son.
“Mr. Schmidt was caught in the pouring rain during one of his nights of searching and fell ill.”
“Oh, dear. Their situation went from bad to worse.”
“There’s more. Peter’s father lost his job yet again. Once he regained his health, he returned to his employer and requested his job back. An altercation ensued, and Mr. Schmidt had no other choice but to start using another name as the employer told everyone he knew not to hire Leon Schmidt.” Thomas shook his head.
“How unfair.”
“Indeed. The family was forced to stay at the hostel when they couldn’t pay rent. Mr. Schmidt kept the Hoffman name for fear of being excluded from potential work.”
“They’ve been through so much. Thank goodness you persisted.”
“The situation seemed unlikely to be a match, but the moment I saw Peter’s sisters, I knew there was no mistake.”
“They look like him?” Frances smiled, imagining what the scene must’ve been like.
Thomas described the reunion with so much emotion that Frances had to wipe away tears at the poignant moment.
“Mrs. Schmidt wasn’t about to let go of Peter.” Thomas chuckled. “She kept one hand on him at all times.”
“I can’t blame her. Did you return them to the hostel?”
“No. Garland found them a place to stay. Between a few willing to aid them, we’ll see that they have food and lodging for the next few months until we can help Mr. Schmidt find a new position.”
“That poor family. I can’t imagine everything they’ve gone through.”
