“Then go and have your breakfast.”
Julian braced himself for the noise and sight of twenty boys sitting in long rows eating. It reminded him of his days at Harrow, except these boys wouldn’t be regularly beaten, at least not while he was on the orphanage’s board of trustees. His gaze fell upon Miss Cartwright, who was managing the cauldron of porridge. She looked flushed, her brown hair coming down to create soft curls around her face.
Julian had met Miss Cartwright and her brother Martin through an acquaintance, and after visiting their establishment, he had offered his financial support.
“Mr. Laurent!” Miss Cartwright smiled at him. “How lovely to see you.” She hesitated, glancing at the line of boys in front of her. “If you don’t mind, I’ll finish feeding the boys, and then I’ll attend to you.”
“Shall I wait in the office?” Julian offered as he gently maneuvered Tommy toward the back of the line.
“Yes, please.” She returned to her task.
Julian held out his hand to Tommy and lowered his voice so Miss Cartwright couldn’t hear him. “Give it back.”
“What?”
Julian raised his eyebrows. “You know the rules.”
After a lot of complaining, Tommy returned Julian’s purse and pocket watch.
“Is that it?” Julian asked.
With a martyred sigh, Tommy produced Julian’s handkerchief.
“Thank you.”
Julian left the hall and went into the office Miss Cartwright shared with her brother. It was a tidy, if somewhat spartan, space due to the orphans’ predilection for stealing things. Most of them had survived by thieving and had been brought in off the streets. Teaching them more honest trades and how to read and write took a considerable amount of time and energy. The Cartwrights didn’t always succeed, but the boys who did stay on benefited from their kind but firm direction and moved on to better lives.
While he waited, Julian used the time to do his monthly audit of the accounts and was reading the daily record when Miss Cartwright came in. Julian rose to his feet.
“Is something wrong?” she asked as she closed the door.
“Not at all. Just my usual monthly visit.” He pointed at the book. “Things seem to be going well.”
“They are, which is why I was surprised to see you.” She sat down heavily at her desk. “I must confess I’d forgotten which day it was.”
Julian, who wasn’t used to being forgotten, smiled. “Is everything all right? You seem rather tired.”
“We took in four new boys last night, and they didn’t settle well. I spent the whole night trying to prevent them leaving.”
“Then I hope you get some rest today.” He winced when she gave him a look. “Yes, I know your budget doesn’t allow for such matters, but perhaps it should.”
“Are you satisfied with our accounting?” Miss Cartwright asked, her gaze drifting to the clock behind him.
“Yes, of course.” He nodded. “I can see that you are anxious to resume your duties, so I will leave you in peace.”
“Thank you.” She rose to her feet and headed for the door, her relief at his pronouncement evident. “I’ll expect you next month.”
Julian bowed as she swept past him. He took his time walking back through the kitchen and yard, making sure everything was as it should be. He took his responsibilities as a trustee seriously and dropped in regularly. He had to admit that Miss Cartwright was also part of the attraction. Her refusal to see him as an eligible man was both refreshing and amusing. And, as Carenza was learning, he’d always loved a challenge.
Thoughts of Carenza had him directing his horse toward her current home. She’d left the Smythe-Harding town house after Hector’s death and returned to her father’s London home, which her father rarely used. There had been some delay in locating the new heir to Hector’s title, but the new earl had recently moved into Carenza’s old home with his wife and mother.
Julian left his horse in the capable hands of Carenza’s groom and made his way to the front of the house, where he offered the butler his card. He was instantly shown up the stairs to the drawing room and went in to discover a room full of ladies.
Mrs. Sheraton hailed him from the couch. “Just the gentleman we need!” She gave him a wicked smile. “We’re trying to pick a new lover for Carenza.”
“I’m fairly certain she doesn’t need my help for that.” Julian went over to kiss Mrs. Sheraton’s hand and then turned to Carenza, who had risen to greet him. He smiled deep into her hazel eyes and was rewarded by a flash of annoyance. “She has impeccable taste.”
“Not in men,” Mrs. Sheraton pointed out.
