Page 16 of The Lyon and the Lamb

“But you cannot offer that child a normal family, since you’re a lady on her own. I’m sorry to be blunt about it, and I hope you understand that I’m not deliberately trying to distress you. But the constitution of the Foundlings’ Hospital, which was established by my late mother, is quite clear that the children will either go into apprenticeships or be adopted into families where there are other children and both a father and a mother. This is the case with the babies, too. So, even if I wanted to, there’s nothing I can do about the matter.”

Lady Lamb stood and walked across to the window. “Then there is no hope for us.”

He heard the catch in her voice, saw the drooping of her shoulders, and felt an unfamiliar stab of guilt.

He felt for his ring and twisted it around his finger. It was enshrined in the constitution that children could only go to complete homes. But could not the constitution be changed? Would the Board of Trustees be prepared to agree to such a proposition coming from him when he was already at odds with them? They wanted to sell the hospital and its land to Pargeter and remove the children to a cheaper site, thus raising more money for their care. But he knew the potential buyer was not to be trusted. No, he already had one battle on his hands—it was too dangerous to risk a second. He might end up losing on both fronts.

He joined Lady Lamb by the window, but she moved away, keeping her back to him.

“I’m sorry, your ladyship. It simply cannot be done.” Glancing out the window, he watched as Lady Lamb’s sister lifted a tiny child—Mary, he thought it was—and tickled her. The toddler laughed and tugged at Miss Bellamy’s blonde hair. She was laughing, too, and the expression of adoration as she gazed at the little mite clutched at his heart. If he let them adopt a child, it would—at least until Miss Bellamy married—have a complete family. He now sensed that these two women could be relied upon to love any child that came to them.

“I can’t suggest an alternative at the moment, but if you wish, I’ll make inquiries and see if there’s any other way you can adopt a child. How will that suit?” There were probably dozens of women in the boozing kens and bawdy houses of Whitechapel and St. Giles more than willing to sell their children. But he didn’t like the idea of Lady Lamb going to such places.

“I would appreciate that, sir. Thank you.”

Rather to his disappointment, she pulled her veil over her face before offering him her hand. It fit perfectly in his, but she snatched it away quickly, as if he’d burned her.

“We must go. Should you find a solution, we have rooms on Gordon Street. Just ask for Lady Lamb and Miss Bellamy. There’s a large cherry tree opposite us, just coming into bloom. It looks like a huge pink candelabrum illuminating the street.”

“I promise to make a particular effort,” he assured her.

“In future I shan’t insult your institution by offering you a large donation. In any case, what funds I was able to gather have now been spent.”

Wisely, he hoped, although she didn’t seem the kind of woman to be profligate. And now he knew who her late husband was, he applauded her for having survived marriage to such an appalling man.

Remaining studiously polite, Leo escorted her to the yard to collect Miss Bellamy, and then to the street gate where he lingered, staring thoughtfully at their retreating backs.

His mind was working rapidly when he finally strode back to his office, and he almost collided with the approaching beadle.

The man saluted and held out a letter. “This just came for you, your lordship.”

“Thank you.” Leo took it, recognizing the writing with a sinking heart. Another missive from Pargeter. Without ceremony, he broke the seal and discovered that the creature had increased his offer. It was still well short of what the land was worth, but the trustees had been jittery since his own donations to the hospital had dried up. It would be dishonest to conceal this new offer, and they were sure to leap at it.

He needed air. He stepped out into the yard, now empty of children, and gazed up at the sky. An early swallow swept overhead, harbinger of the summer to come. If the children were going to have to move, it was best to do it when the weather was good. But this was the only home they’d ever known—how would they cope with all the disruption?

He was going to have to sit down and work out what the relocation costs were likely to be and start hunting down another site. Which was the last thing he wanted to have to do. If only his ships had come in! He could have saved Mama’s beloved project, which was now as close to his own heart as it had been to hers.

Raking his hands through his hair, he stared at the polished walnut surface of his desk, then gazed at the empty chair opposite his own, where the widowed Lady Lamb had sat. Was he too idiotically proud to take a woman’s money? The Fates had been working against him for some time—until two days ago when he’d been offered a way out. Only a fool wouldn’t take it. He must return to the Lyon’s Den, and beard Mrs. Dove-Lyon in her lair. His marriage to the unknown Venus must take place, and her funds would save the Lady Aylsham Foundlings’ Hospital, in the location and the form his mother had always intended for it.

He must cement that marriage before Pargeter began a major offensive. Knowing that snake’s tenacity, it wouldn’t be long before he showed his hand to the trustees. It was time for Leo Chetwynd, Lord Aylsham, to trample on his pride.

Chapter Eight

She’d seen him now, felt his presence, and heard his voice. Her body’s reaction to him yesterday left no doubt in Araminta’s mind that her superlative lover was Lord Aylsham. That a man like him could conceal such a capacity for tenderness and passion had been scarcely credible. But now that she’d seen him again, surrounded by children, no longer hiding behind the gloss of high society, she knew there was more to him than met the eye.

All the same, why couldn’t her lover have been somebody else? Anybody else, in fact. Why did the man chosen as the perfect match for her turn out to be the one she most despised?

Ever since that unforgettable night, she’d felt exposed, vulnerable, and hollow. With her emotions ready to boil over at the slightest provocation, she had no idea how she’d maintained her equanimity on that visit to the Foundlings’ Hospital. She’d been obliged to take Belinda with her for moral support—or to act as a distraction if one were needed.

Stirring sugar into her tea, she glanced across the breakfast table at her sister. Belinda had been unusually cheerful this morning, having evidently enjoyed being among the foundlings. The loss of her babe, even though its illegitimacy would have blighted her life, must have cut far deeper than Araminta could ever have imagined.

She’d never been in that position herself—she’d always assumed that Horatio must be impotent. Though she’d made discreet inquiries, there was never any hint that he’d put any of his mistresses in the family way. Although, of course, his mistresses would have known better than to take risks.

Whereas she, the respectable, widowed Lady Lamb, had taken every risk that night, and might even now be enceinte. If that were the case, it could solve all her problems—but there was no way of being sure, and she was running out of time.

Was marriage to Lord Aylsham the solution, after all? He must need money urgently, or he wouldn’t have taken up Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s challenge. Unless he’d been hoaxed. What if he refused her outright when he learned her identity? He might have done so already.

“Minty—you haven’t touched your roll. I’ll have it if you don’t want it.”