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“Thank you for showing Asher such kindness, my lord.”

“I am simply following your example, Miss Hadford.” He paused, his eyes on the door Alice and Asher had entered. “And I find that I cannot fault your positive assessment of the child. For him to have such brightness of hope and goodness of heart after having been treated so abominably is quite remarkable.”

“I am glad that you were given a glimpse of his true nature.” She offered him a small smile. “He took to you very quickly. Until meeting you, he has not spoken more than two words to anyone other than Alice and me.”

“If what you have told me of his life at the Stanleys’ house is true, Asher has little reason to trust adults, and I am honored that he would allow me into his circle.”

“Will he have to go back there if Mrs. Stanley recovers?” The question was something she had agonized over ever since she’d brought Asher home.

“Absolutely not. I have no idea what protocols the Foundling Hospital has in place for such situations, but I will not allow it. There are a few benefits to being an earl, and I am not opposed to claiming them when circumstances demand it. Starving an innocent child is most certainly one of them.”

Jane’s relief was instant. Lord Bloxley’s word was his bond. He would not be here, seeking out Miss Brown’s child, if it were not so.

“I intend to visit Mr. Fossum this week,” he continued. “As the man assigned to watch over the hospital’s young wards in this area, he must fulfill his stewardship with more diligence or relinquish it to another.”

“I would imagine that the vicar sees Asher every Sunday,” Jane said. “Surely he must have noticed his painfully thin arms and legs.”

Lord Bloxley’s jaw tightened. “It would be impossible not to. The child has gone without sufficient food far too long.”

“But that ends now,” Jane said. “While he is at Charwell Park, I will do everything in my power to put some weight on him.”

Lord Bloxley offered a ghost of a smile. “Even if it means spiced buns at every meal?”

“Yes, my lord.” Determination colored her voice. “Even then.”

They had reached the house, but Lord Bloxley stopped outside the door through which Alice and Asher had disappeared. “I will leave you here, if I may,” he said. “The stables are nearby, and it will be an easy walk to retrieve my horse.”

“Of course,” Jane said. “Thank you again for coming. I know Asher enjoyed your visit immensely.”

The earl smiled. “As did I.” He bowed his head politely. “Until tomorrow, Miss Hadford.”

“Yes,” she said, smiling in return. “Until tomorrow.”

He started down the gravel path toward the stables. Jane reached for the doorknob, then turned to watch him go. His tall, proud bearing was enough to make any young lady’s heart flutter, but as far as Jane was concerned, he had been his most gallant while crouched in the dirt with Asher.

With a sigh, she entered the house through the rear door and walked down the short passage that led into the main hall at the front of the house.

“Jane.” Her mother swooped down the staircase. “What is this I hear about Lord Bloxley coming to visit? Where is he?”

“He has gone.” She shrugged slightly. “I imagine he is headed back to Bloxley Hall.”

“Gone? Did he not come inside the house?”

“No. He joined Asher and me in the orchard for a short time.”

Horror filled her mother’s eyes. “You entertained the Earl of Bloxley in the orchard? Did you not offer him any refreshment?”

Now that Jane thought upon it, perhaps she should have at least offered the earl a cup of tea, but at the time, he and Asher had been so consumed with their building project it had not even crossed her mind. “I did not think to do so,” she said honestly.

“Jane!” Her mother was quite beside herself, and if Jane had been any younger, she would undoubtedly have been sent to her room to consider her terrible breach of decorum. “It was his first visit to Charwell Park. Whatever must he think of us?”

“If he thinks on us at all, I believe it would be as perfectly adequate neighbors,” Jane said. “In truth, Mother, Lord Bloxley did not come to see us; he came to see Asher. And as Asher was in the orchard, the earl seemed quite content to be there too.”

“Asher? Whatever for?”

“I believe he has taken a special interest in him and in his situation. He does have some dealings with the Foundling Hospital, you know.”

“No. No, I did not know.” The worry had not left her mother’s face. “He must think it very strange that we took the boy in.”