Page 50 of An Unwitting Alliance
Not even a full hour later the carriage was ready and they were all piled inside. The driver stopped in front of Brown’s Emporium, where a corner of the store was dedicated to jars of rainbow-colored candies and licorices. Robin had just selected enough sweets for the girls and their cousins and a piece for himself and Michael when something outside the emporium window caught Tom’s eye.
Cassandra followed his gaze. A small child with black hair stood there. His clothes were ill-fitted to him.
“Alan?” Tom said under his breath.
The boy turned one direction and then another, as if he were lost.
Tom quickly pulled out his money and handed Michael more than he needed to pay for the sweets. “I’ll be back.”
He let himself outside, and Cassandra decided to follow. Tom was easier around children now, but he still did not know much about them. Maybe she could offer her help.
His steps were cautious as he approached the boy, and Cassandra held back.
“Excuse me.” Tom caught Alan’s attention and smiled. “Have you seen the ridiculous amount of peppermints in the emporium? I can hardly believe my eyes.”
“No, sir.”
“I have just been inside, and I declare, it is every child’s dream. Do you care for peppermints?”
The boy’s face was solemn. “Yes, sir.”
“Should we not help the store out and buy a few? I am afraid that if we do not, people will think the abundance is because they do not taste good, and no one else will want to purchase them.”
Cassandra watched the boy’s shoulders droop. “Sorry, sir. I have only this shilling a nice man gave me, and I need it to pay for a doctor.”
Tom frowned. “Are you hurt or ill?”
“No, sir. My mama is very sick. But I don’t know where the doctor lives. Could you tell me?”
Tom hesitated, but why? Cassandra almost took a step forward to offer directions when Tom said, “What a good son you are.” His voice was soft, and it melted a spot deep within her. “Your mother will be proud of your bravery. In fact, I am so impressed, I shall help you find the doctor myself.”
Cassandra could wait no longer. She was eager to offer her assistance too. “Good sir,” she said playfully to Tom. “Could you give me an introduction to this handsome young man?”
The boy answered before Tom had the chance. “Alan Armaad Kelby, miss.” He dipped into a bow, his manners surpassing his dirty face and rough clothes.
“How very nice to meet you. I am Miss Cassandra Vail, but you may call me Cassie.”
Tom caught her eye and winked. “Will you excuse us, Mr. Alan?” The boy nodded, and Tom pulled Cassandra back a few steps and whispered to her, “Alan has run away from the workhouse. He must go back before he is caught and punished. I want to help him, but I am afraid it means I will not be able to return with you and the others.”
Cassandra glanced at Alan. “But can’t a person leave the workhouse whenever they want? It sounds like he had good reason.”
“Yes, but they have to be properly discharged. He cannot be caught wearing a uniform that does not belong to him, even on a temporary absence, or he will be accused of being a thief and be punished as such.”
“I want to help too.”
“Cassie—”
“The workhouse is only two blocks from here, and you heard Aunt Evans on the carriage ride. She wants to find a new book to read to Mama, and the boys really should be measured for new boots. I will not be missed.”
“Do you really think your aunt will let you come along to a workhouse?” Tom’s skepticism did not deter her.
“Let me take care of that.”
She did not let him object further before she darted back inside the emporium. Her silent plea was answered, and Aunt Evans, surprisingly, did not ask any questions when Cassandra said she was going for a walk, though the constant pleas from Robert for this or that might have helped. Before Cassandra left, she fetched a couple of peppermints from Robert’s full bag of sweets.
When she came out again, she extended one of the peppermints to Alan. “Would you like a sweet?”
Alan looked from Tom to Cassandra. “Would I? Thank you, miss.” He slid it quickly into a pocket in his jacket.
