Page 11 of An Orphan for the Broken Duke

Rhys exhaled sharply through his nose. “No doubt you have heard the bad news, concerning the orphanage?”

Miss Beaumont frowned, worry passing behind her eyes. “I… I know that things are a little strained. And Miss Wilks did say that…” She gave her head a shake. “We have been struggling for some time, but it is nothing new.”

“So, you have not spoken to her recently?”

“Not for a few days. Why?”

“I am sorry to be the one to give you this news, Miss Beaumont …” He made sure to appear upset, which he was. “But the orphanage is closing down.”

“What? No!”

“Miss Wilks is currently in the process of rehoming the children. I spoke to her less than an hour ago, and while I tried my best to help, there is nothing that I can do.”

She said nothing, but her expressive eyes were proof of how hard she took the news. The strength in her wilted, the glare faded, and it was the first time that Rhys had not seen her look so sure of herself.

“No doubt you are worried about Lucy,” he said softly. “I know how close the two of you are, as I know that you will do anything you can to help her.”

“I…” Still, she looked utterly broken, hardly able to focus on Rhys. “I should go see her. I…” She half turned as if to leave, paused, seemed to break even further as her world collapsed.

“Lucy is why I am here,” he spoke quickly. “I mean to adopt her, in fact. While the other children are beyond my help, I will do anything that I can to ensure that nothing awful happens to her.”

“You will?” She looked at him with confusion, searching for the truth of his words, while refusing to believe the truth when she saw it. “I do not understand. What are you saying?”

“I was perfectly clear,” he said. “I mean to adopt Lucy as my own. Now, whatever it is you might think of me, I am certain that even you must admit how good that will be for her. I can offer her a world that few have access to, everything she could ever want. A home.”

“I…” She shook her head again to clear it. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Despite my desire to do well by Lucy, Miss Wilks has promised her to another. A couple from America, who she believes will be better suited. Miss Wilks seems to think that a family environment is better for her, and for that reason, she means to deny me in my request.”

“All right…”

“If this couple is able to adopt her, I doubt that you will be able to see her again,” he continued. As he said those words, he saw their effect, the dread it brought Miss Beaumont. “And while that will be hard for you, I know it will be just as hard for Lucy. She adores you, and I cannot condone the two of you being separated.”

“So, you mean to block the adoption?” Her expression hardened in defense. “You would ruin her life just because you cannot have her?”

“Not at all,” he said. “That is why I am here. Lucy needs more than a father. She needs a mother. She needs you, Miss Beaumont. Therefore, if I am to adopt her as my own, the only way to do that is to marry, and while it might come as a surprise, I can think of no one better for such a role than you.”

That did it.

If Miss Beaumont had been surprised before, she looked positively bewildered by this declaration. He stood tall and proud, determined that she see that he was telling the truth. She needed to see that he wanted this.

But she leaned back, shook her head, and almost laughed… “You are… Surely, this is a jest?”

“Certainly not a jest,” he said. “I require a wife if the adoption is to be made. Lucy requires a mother so that she might be comfortable. And you…” He raised an eyebrow at her. “You require someone to rescue you from destitution. I looked into your finances, Miss Beaumont; I know what you owe. If you marry me, I will pay off your debts. I will ensure your security. I will do everything I can so that you do not have to spend one more day worrying about what the future might hold. You will be free.”

There… it is done.

Rhys exhaled with relief, feeling rather good about his terms. And what was more, he was certain that Miss Beaumont would see the logic in them. Whatever she thought of him, surely she would realize that his offer was the best that she could hope for.

“No,” she said.

Rhys balked. “Excuse me?”

“I said, no.”

“Miss Beaumont …” He laughed awkwardly. “Be reasonable. My offer is perfectly fair. One that should make you champ at the bit.”

“Fair or not, my answer is no.” She scowled. “You are all the same. You think that you can buy your way into fortune, that money solves everything. You do not care about Lucy. You do not care about me! All you care about…” her eyes flashed with anger, “is yourself.”