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Jenna walked idly down the shop-lined street, pausing briefly to look in the windows, but not summoning enough enthusiasm to go within. Margaret kept up lively chatter but Jenna only half listened.
Her heart was not into shopping whatsoever. She had never had such a row with Sebastian. And she didn’t like the feeling it gave her. Sadness filled her chest as she imagined the coming changes to their family.
When she married, she would move from Penbury. Away from Mama, Papa, Sebastian, and Quinn. The people she loved most in the world, and the people she had spent the last twenty years of her life with.
She didn’t like solitude. She loved the noisy rambunctious house she had grown up in. She needed to have her family close around her. And she couldn’t imagine anything more solitary than a life with a man she didn’t love and shared no passion with.
She dashed away a tear with her gloved hand, and stared aimlessly ahead as she and Margaret continued down the street. The most she could ever hope for with Stuart was a lecture on fashion.
Her parents were happy and very much in love. And Jenna and her brothers noticed with amusement the times their parents slipped away when they thought no one was looking.Thatwas the kind of life she wanted.
She choked back a sob, as panic settled on her. Her wedding was a few short months away, and on that day, her life would change irrevocably. The pain of her nails digging through the material at her palms made her flinch. She forced herself to relax and gain control over her emotions.
“My Lady, are you well?” Margaret’s anxious voice reached her ears.
Jenna smiled brightly and glanced up at the concerned maid. “I’m fine.”
Margaret looked doubtfully at her, but continued on beside her. “I’ve been thinking, my lady. I’d like to go with you when you marry Mr. Eglin. That is if it’s all right with the earl. And you, of course.”
Jenna whirled around and hugged her. “Oh, I’d love that, Margaret. Truly. I cannot imagine anything better.”
“There, there. Don’t go causing a scene.” She harrumphed.
But Jenna saw the pleased look in her eye.
“I admit I don’t fancy going to live at Eglin House,” she murmured. “Away from Mamma and Papa...and the others.” Her voice cracked despite her best attempts to keep the conversation light.
“Poor lamb,” Margaret soothed. “I know how unhappy you are. But Mr. Eglin will make you a good husband. And you will have children to occupy your time. And you’ll visit Penbury.”
“Yes. I will,” Jenna whispered.
Margaret reached out and squeezed her arm. “I’m sure Lord Hembly will forget all about your argument by day’s end.”
Jenna looked at her through watery eyes. “I do hope so, Margaret. I was an absolute boor. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.”
They turned and began walking back toward the carriage. Jenna was prepared to climb in when she noticed a small group of children huddled across the street. She stood transfixed. They weren’t a new sight. At any time of the day, any number of ragged children could be seen lining the streets, begging or looking for a pocket to pick.
As she continued to stare, she remembered all Gray had recounted of his childhood. His fears of being left alone. Her own fear of having to leave her family. Once again tears sprang to her eyes. These children had no one. She, at least, had her family no matter how far they may live away.
“My lady,” the footman prompted, as he waited to assist her into the carriage.
A determined set to her chin, she climbed in then directed the driver to Oxford Street. When Margaret looked at her in puzzlement, Jenna said, “We’re paying a call to the orphanage.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jenna ignored Margaret’s look of surprise as the carriage rolled down the street. It was high time she stopped being so self-consumed and perhaps take stock of the world around her. After she was married, she would need something to occupy her time. Something to keep her from drowning in unhappiness. Making sure others weren’t as miserable seemed to be a good place to start.
As the carriage ground to a halt several minutes later, Jenna peered out her curtained window. The children’s home looked to be a stylish house just on the fringes of London’s best residential areas. The sprawling home was red brick and sported green shutters. Above the double-paneled door, hung a sign that saidThe Innocents.
After directing Margaret to remain behind, she descended the steps of the carriage and strolled up the path to the entrance. She knocked timidly on the door and seconds later an austerely dressed older woman answered.
Clearing her throat, Jenna addressed the woman. “I am Lady Jenna Wycliffe. I am here because I would like to help.” Before she could continue the speech she had practiced all the way over, the woman gestured her in.
“I’m Mrs. Drennan, the house mum. Mr. Grayson, the orphanage’s benefactor, is in back with the children. I’ll present you to him.”
Jenna gulped at the mention of Gray’s name. True, she had purposely come to his orphanage, but she did not want him thinking she was pursuing him. She truly wanted to help the children, and well, she didn’t know the location of another orphanage.
