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A smile spread upon his face.

Clara excused herself from present company and approached him.

“Tonight has been wonderful, Gerald, absolutely delightful,” she said.

“Yes, it has, and it seems as though everyone else feels the same way.”

“What did you and father speak about?”

“We were just clearing the air. I think he realizes that deceit is not a part of my usual character, and while he has not fully forgiven me, it is only a matter of time before he does so. I don’t think we shall have to worry about any tensions between myself and your parents.”

“That is a relief,” Clara exhaled deeply.

“Indeed, there is nothing more we need to worry about.”

Clara’s face fell, and her eyes shifted away. “Gerald, there is something we must speak about, in private.”

What could she mean? Was this something about him, or the orphanage? They left the room, while a maid followed them. They entered another room. The maid stood in the corner, silent and unobtrusive. In these quick moments, Gerald wracked his brain, but he could only think of one thing that would cause her to be so troubled.

The wedding.

“Clara, I do apologize if I made arrangements without your knowledge. I’m sure your family has their own traditions, and if you really do not wish to get married in the church, then perhaps other arrangements could be made, although I will be the first in seven generations not to be married there,” he said, trailing away as he suddenly became unsure if he could live up to this offer.

Clara stared at him strangely.

“Gerald, what on earth are you speaking about?”

“I thought that’s what you wanted to talk about?”

“Why would I want to talk about that? Never mind, it’s beside the point,” she said, waving her hand in the air and shaking her head. “It’s about the children.”

“The children? Are they unhappy? I hope Sophia is not too upset that she was asked to curtsey. I know that she dislikes being the center of attention.”

“No, it’s not about that, although I am glad that you know the children so well.”

Gerald chuckled and nodded. “It’s hard not to know them; they are all such vibrant characters.” He ran his hand along his chin and thought about his experiences with them, and how they had become such a large part of his life.

“Indeed they are. And we are not the only ones who think so.”

“What do you mean?”

“Interest has been registered from people who wish to take the children. Their appearance at the fundraiser caught the attention of those who wish to be parents. I thought you should know that Emily, Teddy, Sophia, and Oliver may not be at the orphanage for much longer.”

“Oh,” Gerald stared at her blankly. “I suppose that was always going to be the case. After all, it wouldn’t do them much good to stay in the orphanage all their lives. They deserve to have parents.”

“Indeed, and all those who have registered interest are families of means with fine pedigrees. I could not ask for better for them.”

“Have you told them yet?”

“No. I’m not quite sure how to broach the subject. It does mean that they will all be separated.”

“They will not take that easily. They are like siblings,” Gerald said. A shadow fell over his heart at the thought of seeing the children going their separate ways.

“They are, but it would be a lot to ask anyone to take four children into their home.”

“Plus a dog,” Gerald said.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do about Duke. I suppose he belongs to the orphanage.”