Page 66 of An Unwitting Alliance
Completely perplexed, she could only stare. “Remember my agreement to trust you?”
“Of course.”
Forcing herself to move, she set her hand on his arm. “I am doing my best to do so now. My reputation, and potentially my ankle, are in your hands.”
He grinned. “I will do my utmost to protect them both, my fair lady.”
Her lips squirmed as she fought a smile. Amusing or not, she believed him. His ability to move forward without a plan must be rubbing off on her, for she had absolutely no idea what their future held. And, for the moment, with his strong arm leading her onto the dance floor, it was enough.
Chapter 22
It had been a nightof unexpected events. No one could have predicted, least of all Tom, that a missing reticule and a string of pearls would bring a premature ending to a ball. But the Pollards were so upset by their loss that they requested that everyone return to their homes and secure their prized possessions. It was unheard of.
But since Tom had successfully danced with Cassie without injuring her—or kissing her, as temptation would have it—and since Auntie Evans had slipped the news of their engagement, his night had been rather successful, in his opinion. Even Mrs. Vail’s soon-to-be eighth child had cooperated and stayed contentedly in the womb. No one complained, but he knew everyone missed Bethy and little Janie, and with Michelangelo and Robin still at their cousins’, the house was a bit too quiet. Tom had never thought he would miss the chaos notable to the Vail household, but he did.
Tom arose the next morning anxious to seek out Cassie and speak with her about courting her properly. He would not be easy until their engagement was real in every sense. But he knew he needed to help Alan and his mother first. How could he think about pleasing himself when there was a little boy confined in a drafty, depressing workhouse, worried sick for his dying mother?
Tom rang for Joseph and pulled on his breeches. Today would hopefully bring the end of suffering for Alan and the beginning of a bright future for Tom with Cassie.
Joseph entered the room only minutes later.
“Forget my clothes, Joseph. I will see to them myself. I have more pressing obligations for you to attend to this morning.”
“You do realize, sir, that you have never learned to properly tie a cravat.”
“Hang my cravat. There is a boy with a very sick mother who needs our immediate attention.” He traded his nightshirt quickly for a pressed shirt.
“Forgive me, sir, but might I be permitted to speak freely?”
“You tend to do so whether you are given permission or not,” Tom replied.
“Very good, sir.” Josephclasped his hands behind his back and stood as straight as a soldier. “I am of the opinion that the workhouse is formed as a way of caring for those who cannot do so for themselves. If you remove one family, what will you do for the others?”
Tom slowed in his effort to pull on his boots. “You make a good point.” Why could he not leave well enough alone? There was no stopping consumption. Some were granted a miracle to live, but the majority suffered mercilessly. “I have plans to improve the workhouse as a whole, but it’s the immediate need of the boy that draws my focus at present. I cannot explain my reasons for being so drawn to this child, but neither can I stand myself if I don’t do all I can when the opportunity is before me. I have funds enough to transfer Mrs. Kelby to a small hospital in Leeds, but until I can find someone willing to take Alan and a nurse in, he will stay at a nearby inn. The least I can do is provide greater nourishment than they’ve received at that prison and see Mrs. Kelby properly treated for her illness. I want you to see that a carriage is sent for them, and I shall write up instructions to be sent to Mr. Longbottom.”
“The sickness, sir... Are you quite sure?” Joseph rarely liked what he was told to do, but he never failed Tom. His hesitation now spoke volumes of his concern.
Tom, on the other hand, did not have to think twice. This was what he wanted. He moved to the writing desk and penned out his request. After sealing the letter, he handed it to Joseph. “Make haste. A family needs us.”
After Joseph left, Tom wrote a letter to Mr. Adams, begging him to meet the widow at the inn to see what could be done for her comfort before they traveled the rest of the way to Leeds. He scratched his jaw, wishing his choices could ease the worry nagging him.
* * *
Cassandra let herself into her mama’s room, closing the door softly behind her.
Mama was propped up on pillows with a book in her hands. She set it atop her rounded stomach, which provided the perfect shelf. “Good morning, Cassandra.”
“Aunt said you wanted to see me.”
“I thought to give her a needed respite today, and I requested to have you as my companion instead.”
Cassandra moved deeper into the room, stopping at the bottom of the bed. “She has earned it, after acting as both companion to you and chaperone to me.”
Mama nodded. “I heard the ball was not without its excitement last night.”
“Aunt Evans told you about Patricia’s missing pearls?”
“Aunt Evans told me about Mr. Gibbons’s presence and the announcement of your engagement to Mr. Harwood. That piece of news caught my interest over the supposed robbery.”
