Nodding, she followed the woman inside. Already she was impressed with the pristine condition of the house. Though she’d only ever been inside one orphanage, she’d heard plenty of horror stories about the living conditions.
“This is where the children sleep,” Mrs. Drennan said as they walked through a room filled with neatly made cots. They lined both sides of the walls, the covers turned back, and a pillow on each one.
They continued into a brightly lit room situated at the back of the house. The entire back wall was glass, and the sunlight shone in, bouncing off the polished floors and snow-white walls.
“This is the children’s play room. Mr. Douglas is calling them in from outside now. They’ve been in the garden.”
Moments later Gray strode in, a trail of giggling, shouting children on his heels. One rode atop his shoulders and two more had their arms wrapped tightly around his legs, shrieking with laughter as he shuffled forward.
When he looked up and saw her, he stopped short. Reaching up, he lowered the child from his shoulders and placed her gently on the floor. “Children, I’ve someone I want you to meet.”
“Who? Who?” they chorused.
“Put on your best airs and say hullo to Lady Jenna Wycliffe.”
“Blimey! A real lady?” a chubby faced boy exclaimed.
“Jack!” Mrs. Drennan scolded.
He looked abashed. “Sorry, mum.”
Several of the girls dipped in awkward curtseys, and the boys shifted from foot to foot, clearly unsure of what they were supposed to do.
“How do you do?” Jenna asked, curtseying grandly before them.
They giggled once more. “Can we play now, Mr. Douglas?”
He nodded and they ran madcap over to their toy swords and dolls leaving Jenna standing alone in front of Gray.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said, breaking the awkward silence between them.
She flushed. “No, I suppose you didn’t. But I’m here. And I’d like to help.”
He glanced doubtfully at her.
“Despite what you may think, I am not completely without a conscience. When you look at me you see a spoiled, willful girl playing a game and gambling with her future.” She took a deep breath and continued. “But that isn’t me,” she whispered. “I do care about other things beyond my own happiness.”
“Ahh, Jenna.” He gathered her in his arms and kissed her lingeringly. “I can always use help. It seems we get a new child here every day.”
“I can probably persuade Father to donate monies, and I know my mother’s friends would be more than glad to raise funds for your orphanage.” She smiled excitedly at him.
“I don’t need your money,” he said quietly. “I’ve more money than I’ll ever use. If you truly want to help then volunteer your time, your love. Get your hands dirty and open your heart.”
He turned away from her and gazed out over the small garden. “The problem with people of your station, is that they think money cures all the evils of the world.”
He swiveled around and fixed her with his intense gaze. “While throwing money at a cause probably makes you feel better, it doesn’t solve the root of the problem. Keep your money, Jenna. I don’t want it. These children don’t want it. What they want is someone to give a damn if they live or die. If they eat a good meal or if they have a place to sleep at night.That’swhat you can do.”
Heat suffused her cheeks, and embarrassment cut cleanly through her. “I wasn’t suggesting any such thing. I want to help in any way I can. I merely thought that I could gain funding for you.”
He cupped her chin in his hand and rubbed his thumb gently over her cheek. “I know you do, Jenna. But I don’t need the money. If you want to donate monies, there are any number of orphanages who are in desperate need. I can give you a list if you like.”
“So you don’t need my help...here?” she asked in a shaky voice.
He backed away, walking over to the window and staring out over the garden. “I didn’t say that. The children can never have too many people who are concerned with their wellbeing. You can do something as simple as read them a story. What they need most is someone to love them. Can you do that, Jenna?” he asked softly.
Her eyes narrowed and she frowned. “Don’t patronize me, Gray. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t genuinely want to help. I realize you think me self-absorbed, but I do have compassion, and I happen to love children.”
He was in front of her before she could take another breath, his eyes stormy. “I’ve never thought ill of you, Jenna. Don’t make assumptions about how I feel.”
