Page 8 of Starlight Night (The St. Clairs 5.50)

Chapter Four

Lucy didn’t knowwhy she’d returned to the book place today. Maybe it was because of the man she’d talked to last night. He’d been nice and even told her he wanted to give her a book. She’d never held a book before, much less owned one. She didn’t even know how to read. But she’d spent a long time looking at the books in the store’s windows. They had beautiful covers. Some of the books’ pages were open and she could see the pictures inside. Of animals and trees and houses. Green grass and a shining sun. Lucy wished she could climb into the pages of one of those books and then have someone close it. She’d belong inside the book then and would never have to leave.

At first, she’d thought the man wanted something from her. Something bad, like what Jem wouldn’t tell her about. That’s why she ran from him. The more she thought about it, though, she thought maybe she’d misunderstood. Maybe there were nice people in the world and he really did want to give her a book. That’s why she’d returned today. Hoping she might see him and that he would remember who she was and give her a book. He said his wife owned the store. Lucy didn’t know women could own anything. She was curious as to what his wife looked like and if she was as nice as the man. Luke. That was his name.

When she arrived, there had been so many people waiting in a line outside. It ran down the entire block and around the corner. Children everywhere, all dressed in fancy clothes. Their mamas and servants looked after them, also dressed up so nice and pretty. Lucy felt ashamed, knowing her cloak had gotten dirty and her clothes rumpled. She’d slept in an alley last night, her back pressed against the bricks, rats scurrying nearby. The ground was wet, thanks to the melted snow, and she’d sat on her cloak in order to keep her clothes dry. That had gotten it muddy and wet, though, and the slush had seeped through to her dress. Her stockings also had dirt running along the back of them now. She must have stretched her legs out while she slept.

Knowing she didn’t belong with this crowd, she crossed the street and watched. Sure enough, she saw the man climb from a fancy carriage. He helped a beautiful lady from the vehicle and Lucy wondered if she might be his wife. They went inside the book place before everyone else did. She waited and watched as the store finally opened and all those who waited eagerly crowded inside. With the sidewalk in front of the store now empty, she felt brave enough to cross the street and peered inside. She could see all the children sitting in front of a chair. The adults stood talking.

Then a carriage pulled up, the biggest Lucy had ever seen, with a colorful crest on its side. A tall man jumped out and helped a whole bunch of children down. They all ran inside the store as if they knew where they were going and she decided they must come here a lot. Then another beautiful lady stepped from the carriage. The man grabbed her by the waist and swung her down. They looked at each other and smiled. And hekissedher! Right there on the street. Lucy had never seen anyone do that. The man took the woman’s arm and they went inside.

She pressed her nose against the glass and saw the woman go stand by the book lady who owned the place and then she sat in a chair that was in front of all of those children. It looked as if she read the book to all the people inside. Lucy picked out Luke standing to the side with the man who’d kissed the woman and thought how handsome he was. She looked from Luke to the other man and thought that they might be brothers because they looked a lot alike.

Though she couldn’t hear a word being spoken, she watched, fascinated, as the lady sitting down turned the pages. Her face was so animated as she read aloud. Lucy wished someone would read aloud to her. Maybe if Mama hadn’t died, she would’ve read to Lucy.

The lady finished and the children and adults all clapped. Lucy turned away, hungry and feeling lonely. She’d found a few scraps in the trash the night before but her stomach cramped now. Though she knew it was wrong, she wished she knew how to pick a pocket and take just a little bit of money from someone. She’d never done it before and was afraid what would happen to her if she got caught. She wandered down the street and through alleys, picking her way through garbage, finding a few bites here and there. Somehow, she found herself back at the book place again and saw Luke and his family come out of it. They got into a nice carriage and pulled away from the curb. She turned away, sadness washing over her. She would never ride in style like that. Never own a book or wear a pretty dress, no matter how hard she wished.

Lucy walked away, letting the crowd swallow her up, tears streaming down her face.

*

Luke tied Caroline’scloak about her neck and handed her the muff. She slid her hands inside it and he took her arm.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked. “It’s very cold outside tonight.”

“I’m dressed warmly, darling. And there’s a little girl out there who is cold—and needs us.”

He nodded and opened the front door of the townhome and they set out toward Evie’s. Caroline had insisted they walk, saying it would be easier to spy the girl if they weren’t moving so quickly.

As they turned the corner and crossed the street, he said, “She may not come back. We may be on a fruitless mission and not find her at all.”

“You said you found her gazing into the window last night. And you saw her again today. She’ll be there, Luke. If she isn’t, we’ll come back tomorrow during the day and tomorrow night.”

“We can’t come back every day, Caroline. We’ve got to return home. I’ve business to attend to before we leave for Edgemere and our holiday celebration.”

She smiled at him. “Then we’ll find her before we leave. I know it.”

Bolstered by her calm confidence, Luke led Caroline toward Evie’s, glancing in doorways and across the street as they strolled. They rounded the corner and he halted in his tracks.

“Is that her?” his wife asked.

“Yes,” he said quietly. Afraid she would hear them. Fearing she would run again. Would he chase her down? If he did, would that terrify her? He prayed the girl would not flee, especially seeing he was with his wife and no threat.

As before, she had her nose and palms pressed to the glass of the window, her focus on the books within. They approached without conversing but as they drew near, he called out a soft greeting so as not to startle the child.

“Hello, again.”

The girl jumped back, looking from him to Caroline, alert and watchful, poised on the balls of her feet as if she were ready to spring away at any moment.

“We met last night. I’m Luke and this is my wife, Caroline. Remember, I told you she owns this bookstore and the tearoom.”

The child nodded cautiously. She looked bedraggled now and he knew it was because she’d spent the night out on the streets. Her cloak was filthy. A smudge of dirt rested against her cheek. The neatly braided hair was coming loose. Something had happened. Wherever she usually stayed, she hadn’t gone there last evening. He supposed she’d been out in the elements ever since he’d seen her the previous night and a lump formed in his throat.

“Hello,” Caroline said, her musical voice low and inviting. “My husband told me about meeting you last night and that you like books. What is your name?”

“Lucy.”

Luke noticed she gave no last name and wondered if she even knew what it was.

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