Page 110 of Doxy for the Ton
“That’s kind of her,” Mimi said.
“I’veyouto thank,” Lily replied. “Sammy and I are ever so grateful, aren’t we, Sammy love?”
Mimi bounced the child on her lap, and he reached for a lock of her hair, curling his little pink fist over it.
“Is Mary joining us?” Mimi asked.
“Mary’s out with a…customer,” Mrs. Briggs said. “She’ll be home soon. He’s giving her an extra sovereign for staying until dawn. Imagine that, girls! We can have a goose this Christmas.”
“Is Mary safe?” Mimi asked.
“Of course she is, darlin’. It’s that old widower who wanted to marry her. He’s kind enough, and pays her well for her time.”
“Come sit beside me, Sam,” Lily said as she took the seat beside the window. “You can sort out these ribbons if you like.”
“Ribbons!” the boy cried, and he slid off Mimi’s lap and toddled toward his mother.
Mimi returned to her work, and the gentle buzz of conversation filled the room.
Then heavy footsteps approached and the room fell silent. Lily looked up, her eyes widening, then set her work down and drew her son close.
The door opened and Lily let out a scream.
Standing in the doorway, his body filling the space, was a man.
Or whatlookedlike a man.
His jacket and shirt were smeared with dust. One leg of his breeches was adorned with a black handprint, and the other sported a tear just below the knee. His hair was tousled, framing his face. His cheeks and forehead were blackened with coal dust, against which his eyes shone whitely.
With his wide-eyed expression of bewilderment, he looked like a chimney sweep on his first day.
He stepped into the room, leaving a trail of footprints. Then he brushed his jacket and a cloud of coal dust filled the air before settling on the rug.
Mrs. Briggs rose to her feet then lowered her gaze to the dust on the rug. Then she folded her arms, and cocked her head, and glared at him in the manner of an enraged nanny.
Mimi fought the urge to laugh at his stricken expression.
Sam wriggled out of his mother’s embrace and approached Alexander, tilting his head to look up at him.
“You’re all dirty!” he squealed with delight. “Mama—he’s sodirty!”
Lily rose to her feet, fear in her eyes. “S-Sammy…”
Alexander met Mimi’s gaze before he looked down at the little boy.
“Why are you so dirty?” Sam asked. “Are you here to sweep the chimney?”
Mimi held her breath as Alexander stared at the child. Then he swooped down and lifted the boy into the air, before lowering him.
“Again!” Sam cried.
Alexander lifted the boy higher and spun him around.
“Sammy!” Lily screamed.
Alexander lowered the boy and held him in his arms. “Forgive me, madam—is this your son?” he asked. “Here, take him.”
Lily took a step back, trembling. “I-I…” She glanced about the room, as if searching for an escape, but Alexander stood in front of the doorway. He glanced behind, then gave a slight nod and crossed the room to the chair furthest from Lily, then he set Sam down.
