I wanted to look nice when I met my mother.
“You look beautiful,” Alec said as the cab rattled along the cobblestone street, past Buckingham Palace. He was always quick to compliment me, but I never tired of hearing it, and he always seemed to know when to say something nice.
“Thank you.”
“I see you’re wearing your locket.”
I touched the gold necklace with my gloved hand and ran my thumb over the initials. “Do you think she’ll tell me who my father is?”
“I don’t know—but everyone deserves to know their parents.” His voice was soft and sincere.
We turned right onto The Mall. The park looked gloomy in the rain this morning, though it was still lovely with Buckingham Palace on one side and St. James’s Palace on the other. They looked formidable in the mist. I’d been told Buckingham Palace was all but empty. I couldn’t imagine how much money the monarchy spent on their properties, while other people suffered greatly just beyond the bounds of the park. People like my family.
“Alec?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think God makes mistakes?”
“Never.”
“What about me?”
“What do you mean?”
“I was a mistake.”
He turned so he was looking at me, and I met his intense gaze. “How could you think such a thing?”
“How could I not? Neither of my parents wanted me and I was discarded the moment my mother was able to give me away. My aunt and uncle didn’t want me, either.”
“That doesn’t make you a mistake." He was quiet for a moment and then said, "The Bible tells us that we are fearfully andwonderfully made in His image. Humans can make mistakes, but God cannot. Every person in the world was deliberately and beautifully designed by their Creator. God knew exactly what He was doing when He made you.” His voice became tender. “And I think He did an exceptionally good job.”
My cheeks warmed and I smiled. I liked to believe that I wasn’t a mistake, that God had created me with intention and purpose. That there was meaning for my life and I wasn’t simply something to discard. But my early life had proven different.
“God has a plan for each of us,” Alec continued. “One that is filled with hope. Perhaps your parents didn’t intend to have a baby, and you were abandoned at a young age, but God still has a wonderful purpose for your life, if you are willing to submit to His plan. Nothing in His kingdom is wasted, Keira.”
“Do you truly believe that?”
“I do, very much. I’ve seen it repeatedly in my life.” He took my gloved hand into his and held it gently. “From the moment you were born, God knew that you would end up here. Perhaps you will marry a duke and with the substantial dowry Aunt Maude wants to settle upon your future husband, you could do great things. You could help people, educate them, provide love and care. As a duchess, your voice will carry above the crowd, and you can bring awareness and change for people living in places like Five Points. That might be why God sent you there as a child, so you would know firsthand what it’s like. You, Keira, were created to do great things. I believe that with all my heart.”
Tears welled up in my eyes and fell down my cheeks. “Thank you.”
He wiped away each tear with his gloved hand.
We were sitting so close, and we were completely alone for the first time in a long time. The rain continued to tap against the ceiling of the cab, and it felt as if no one else existed in all the world.
Alec’s breathing grew deep, his chest rising and falling with each breath.
I waited, an ache for him tightening inside me—but he blinked and then turned away, looking out the window. He let go of my hand and clasped his together on his lap.
I slowly looked out my own window at the dreary scene. More tears threatened, but I forced myself not to give in to them. It seemed that whenever Alec and I were alone, or even close, the tension and yearning built up inside of me until I was afraid I would burst from the intensity of it. Did he feel the same?
Neither of us spoke for a long time, but then Alec broke the silence.
“I meant to tell you sooner, but I asked around about George.”
I tore my gaze from the sodden street. “Where is he?”
