Page 51 of An Unwitting Alliance
“Aren’t you going to eat it?” Cassandra asked.
“No, miss. I am saving it for Mama. She loves peppermint even more than I do.”
He had the behavior and mannerisms of a little gentleman but looked half starved. That he would give up such a treat for his mother touched Cassandra deeply. “Good thing I brought two, then.” She handed him the second peppermint and watched as his eyes lit up. He put it straight to his mouth, and his sweet smile of pleasure as he licked it was all the thanks she needed.
Tom shook his head. “I have to work to get him to trust me, and you manage it effortlessly.”
“I would like to think I have learned a thing or two after being raised in a large family.” She surprised herself by taking Tom’s arm before it was offered. “Let’s start walking before Aunt Evans realizes what she has agreed to.”
Tom hesitated. “I am supposed to be responsible for you. I did promise your father.”
“Which is why you will walk quickly and explain more on the way.” She wouldn’t think about the risk of someone seeing them walk together unchaperoned. Two blocks was hardly enough distance for anything untoward to happen.
Tom shook his head, but he knew well enough that she was too stubborn to argue with. She was quite satisfied when he tugged her forward along the cobblestone road.
When Alan fell a few steps behind their hurried pace, Tom explained quietly. “I met Alan when I did my tour of the workhouse. I was wearing a disguise at the time, so he does not recognize me. I learned the boy’s father died and his paternal grandparents turned him and his mother out because of their Indian heritage. Now his mother is sick, and unfortunately, she will not receive the best care where she is.”
“Poor thing. He is too young to face the cruelty of this world.” Cassandra turned and stretched out her hand. “Come along, Alan.”
Alan saw her hand and hurried to take it, smiling at Cassandra as he did so. Even after all the boy had been subjected to, he was quick to trust. When Cassandra returned the smile, Alan leaned in close to her skirt, licking his peppermint with his other hand as he did. Clearly, he was eager for affection too.
“Is this the way to the doctor’s house?” Alan asked.
“Not exactly.” Tom rubbed his jaw, probably trying to determine the best way to explain.
Cassie intervened. “Mr. Harwood will fetch the doctor while you wait with your mama. We do not want her to be alone.”
“But I am not allowed in the sick ward at the workhouse.” Alan’s face screwed up tight, as if he were fighting tears. “I will be in terrible trouble if I go back. I have to live on the streets now.”
“Did they chase you out?” Tom asked.
“No. I snuck out behind the men carrying in the sacks of flour.”
“Clever thinking,” Tom replied.
“Mama says I move like a cat.”
“A cat? I suppose you will have to be a cat again and sneak back in.”
Cassie cast a worried look at Tom. “How do you propose he does that?”
“We will think of something. We cannot have Alan sleeping outside. Even if he cannot see his mother right now, he should be close to her for when she is well again.”
“Sleeping outside was never an option in my mind.” Cassandra stepped around a dip on the side of the road. “But I agree that his staying near his mother is best.”
While they walked, Tom peppered Alan with questions about Mr. Longbottom, who Cassandra learned was the overseer of the workhouse. After they exhausted that topic, Tom asked Alan about his mother and if he could remember life before the workhouse.
“I remember the big boat we sailed on from Calcutta. Papa said I would love England, but I do not like it well at all.”
Cassandra squeezed his hand. “What do you miss about Calcutta?”
“My friends and my Nani and Dadi. I don’t like my British grandparents. Mama said they are only mean because they are sad about Papa dying, but it was the same before Papa died. They said Papa shamed them. What doesshamedmean?”
“Embarrassed,” Cassandra said, hoping her definition did not add any weight to the boy’s already heavy burden.
“I thought so. I hope I never see them again.”
“Even if they said you could come live with them again?” Tom asked.
