The roast duck Cook had prepared for supper was absolutely divine.Samantha cut another piece for herself, dipped it in a bit of gravy, and popped it in her mouth.Heavens above.It was hard for her not to make the same appreciative sounds that came from Isak with each bite he took.
The boy’s gusto pleased her and caused her to grin when she caught Adrian’s look of amusement from across the table.Evidently, he too was affected by the boy’s expressive gratitude for the delicious meal.
The meat was so tender it fell from the bones and melted in one’s mouth, the skin a crispy delicacy that was perfectly paired with the honey-glazed carrots and buttered potatoes.And the wine…
Adrian had selected the bottle himself.As he’d exclaimed when he arrived home from his club a couple of hours earlier, there was reason for them to celebrate this evening.Judge Oakleigh had not only been removed from office.He’d been sentenced to three months confinement at Fleet Prison and was also expected to pay a fine for the trouble he’d caused with his unfair ruling.
Samantha held up her glass.“To seeing justice served.”
“Indeed.”Adrian drank some wine while Isak enjoyed his lemonade.“Oakleigh will never work in the legal system again.His career is over, which I hope will serve as a warning to others.”
“Considering he almost cost you your life, I’m not sure I think his punishment harsh enough,” Samantha said.“Frankly, I’d have liked to see him falsely accused and carted off to the gallows.At least then he might have felt the true repercussion of his actions.Even if it were only done in pretense.”
“As I believe I’ve stated before,” Adrian murmured, “I’m glad you’re on my side instead of working against me.”
“Me too,” she said, for what else was there?She could never undo the work she’d done for Harlowe – the effort to infiltrate Adrian’s life and destroy him.
Her only chance, therefore, had been to prove herself continuously since he’d learned the truth about her.A challenge a bit of bad luck had only made harder.But the effort she’d made to save him from the hangman’s noose – the risk she’d taken in order to do so – was undeniable.
As awful as the entire ordeal had been, she was almost grateful for it because of the added closeness the experience had brought them.She wanted to address that somehow but before she could find the right words, Elks entered the room.
“Forgive me,” said the butler, “but Mr.Murdoch has arrived and is asking to speak with you, sir.”
“Ah.”Adrian considered his plate and the food he’d not yet managed to eat.“Invite him to join us.”Elks went to do as Adrian asked, and Adrian turned to the footman who stood by the wall.“Please have another place set opposite Isak.”
“This is becoming a habit of his,” Samantha said once the footman had gone to retrieve an additional plate and some silverware.“Calling at mealtimes, I mean.”
“Can I ’ave dessert in the kitchen?”Isak asked before Adrian could respond.
“You mean you’d rather…” Samantha shook her head.Of course the boy would prefer to avoid adult conversation and protocol in favor of more relaxed surroundings where no one cared if he spilled his food.She sighed.“By all means.”
“I’m sorry,” Adrian muttered as Isak scampered off, nearly colliding with Elks who’d returned with Mr.Murdoch.
The boy spoke a hasty apology and then sprinted off, feet pounding the floor until the service stair door slammed behind him and blocked out the sound.
Adrian sent Samantha an I-told-you-it-would-be-hard-to-tame-him look, to which she responded with a sweet smile.Providing Isak with a proper upbringing after taking him out of the slums would naturally take time.He’d been with them for less than a month.
Murdoch stepped farther into the room.“I hope you can forgive my intrusion.It didn’t occur to me that you might be dining at this hour.”
“It’s seven o’clock,” Samantha said.
“Yes,” Murdoch agreed in a manner that told her he probably didn’t pay much attention to time.
She took a deep breath and gestured toward the spot the footman had finished preparing.“Are you hungry?”
Murdoch looked truly apologetic now, but when his gaze drifted over the serving platter where two more duck breasts, a thigh, and vegetables remained, he couldn’t quite hide his interest.“Maybe a little.”
“Then you’d best have a seat,” Adrian told him.“We can talk while we eat.”
“I’ve been terribly busy this past week,” Murdoch said once he’d had some food and finished issuing compliments on it.“That’s why it’s taken me so long to give you an update on the foundling home you recently opened.”
“Hopefully, it’s doing well,” Adrian said, scooping up the remains of his gravy with his last piece of potato.He sent Murdoch a questioning look before popping the food in his mouth.
“Most of the children are happy there though one has run off.A girl named Peggy.When I interviewed the other children, they told me she didn’t like the restrictions at the home.She wanted her freedom.Even if that came at the cost of good food and a comfortable bed.”
“A pity, though I suppose this reaction should have been expected from one or two,” Adrian mused.“Do the rest of the children seem happy?”
“They do.In fact it’s my understanding, not just from them but also from the women hired to care for them, that they like being looked after.Of no longer having to worry about the hardships tomorrow might bring.Instead, they can enjoy their childhoods a little.And that’s thanks to you.Which is why I’d suggest you go visit.See for yourself how your blunt has been spent.”
