“Sophia has told us about your project, and we want to help. Lady Adsworth, Lady Setherington, and dear Auntie. And of course, Sophia.”
Elizabeth looked to Sophia, who smiled triumphantly.
“We have dug into our pin money. We have solicited from our friends and will continue to until you have sufficient funds to see to the building of your orphanage and the maintenance of it as well.”
Tears sprung to Elizabeth’s eyes. In the village, she’d discovered several children being housed in homes that already had too many of their own. She’d also found two waifs clinging to each other, hiding near the parish, when she’d been strolling the grounds. Parson Brown was temporarily providing for them with her funds. He said it was an unfortunate sign of the times and likely more would be destitute as machinery took over the jobs of men and women.
She had talked to Sophia about her dream of building an orphanage. She’d already had an architect draw the plans. But she’d not found the courage to ask Richard about the funds. Business was his world, not hers, and he’d been so unapproachable. Now she need not rely on him for it.
“I don’t know what to say.” She sniffed back tears.
“Say thank you,mia amica.” Sophia put her arms around Elizabeth’s shoulders and pulled her in for a hug. “Her auntie is rich as Croesus. Ask for much,” she whispered as she brushed Elizabeth’s cheek with a kiss.
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said, laughing and crying at the same time. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
The girls stopped playing and cheered along with the others before beginning a quiet piece. But there was nothing subdued about Elizabeth’s mood. How could there be when she had such extraordinary, caring people in her life?
Before Elizabeth had fully recovered from the overwhelming emotions washing over her, the men arrived. The duke led the way, followed by Lord Walford and the others. Richard was last to turn up. He looked directly at her and raised an eyebrow. She smiled hesitantly, and he smiled back. Her heart skipped a beat. Yes, she thought as she wiped her eyes one last time, good people surrounded her, but even better, there was a chance she had her husband back.