Page 9 of Starlight Night (The St. Clairs 5.50)

“Do you live around here?” Caroline asked.

Lucy shrugged.

“Are you hungry?”

A violent shiver shook the child and it took all he had not to gather her in his arms and warm her.

She nodded.

“Well, I think we can go inside and find something for you to eat in the tearoom. Maybe a scone or some biscuits?” Caroline asked.

She pulled away from him and moved slowly toward Lucy, pulling her hands from the muff and offering it to the girl. “Here, put your hands inside to warm them up. It will be hard to hold a macaroon if your fingers are cold.”

Warily, Lucy accepted the muff and jammed her tiny hands inside. Surprise filled her face.

“It’s so soft,” she exclaimed in wonder.

“It is,” Caroline agreed, slipping an arm about the girl and leading her to the door.

Luke quickly produced the key and admitted them to the bookstore. He ushered them toward the arch but then backed off, allowing Lucy to glance at the books as they passed. He exchanged a look with his wife and saw that her heart had also been touched by the too-thin waif.

Leading them to a table after they crossed into the tearoom, he said, “Why don’t the two of you sit here and I’ll make some hot chocolate and find what Mrs. Stinch and Mrs. Baker have left.”

He thought it best to leave Lucy in his wife’s company, thinking the girl might be more comfortable with a woman. He was no stranger to a kitchen, having spent hours with the two bakers in this very kitchen, helping to prepare and sample items to place on the tearoom’s menu.

He put on a kettle to boil and rounded up several sweets before making a sandwich. By then, the water boiled and he mixed in the chocolate. Placing the food on a plate, he set it and the cup and saucer on a tray and delivered it to the homeless child.

She looked at the cup with interest. “What’s this?”

“This, is hot chocolate. And it’s heavenly, I can promise you that. Be careful and only sip it, though. It’s quite hot.”

Lucy took a small sip and sighed. She took a macaroon and ate it. Before they knew it, she began devouring everything on the plate, making quick work of the meal, taking sips of the chocolate to wash it down as she went.

Caroline leaned over and whispered, “She reminds me of Cynthia.”

Cynthia had been Caroline’s only sister. The two had been close until Cynthia’s death many years ago.

A long look passed between them, understanding only the closest of married couples shared. Luke couldn’t save the whole world.

But he and Caroline could save one precious life.

He excused himself and returned to retrieve a book before joining them again. Sitting, he handed the book to Lucy.

“This isThe Kind Caterpillar’s Christmas. It was written by my sister-in-law, the Duchess of Everton. It’s yours, Lucy. Forever and ever.”

The girl gazed at it in wonder, her hand stroking the book as if it weren’t quite real.

“Did she read it to the children today?”

Luke realized Lucy must have peered into the windows while the reading occurred.

“She did. The duchess writes all kinds of wonderful books for children and when they are ready for sale, she comes to Evie’s Bookstore and reads them to others.”

Lucy gripped the book tightly. “I saw her. She’s very beautiful.” She looked up from the book to Caroline. “You’re beautiful, too.”

“Thank you,” his wife said, her gaze tender as she looked at Lucy.

“Where is your home, Lucy?” Luke asked quietly.

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