Leonard chuckled. “Peculiar, indeed. A woman who accepts a man haunted by his past—that’s a rare find. You should consider yourself fortunate.”
“Fortunate or not, I can’t stay secluded forever,” Kenneth replied, racking the balls for the next game. “I need to face the world, and Joanna’s acceptance has made it somewhat easier.”
He couldn’t tell Leonard just how much Joanna’s words had meant to him because Leonard had preached much the same for years. He didn’t want his friend to feel less important because hearing that Edward’s death hadn’t been his fault meant more to Kenneth coming from Joanna than him.
“I am glad to hear it. But pray,” Leonard asked while taking his turn, “does this newfound courage extend to matters of the heart? Are you ready to revisit the notion of marriage and turn this fake romance into a real one?”
Kenneth paused, his eyes lingering on the balls before meeting Leonard’s gaze. “I’m not sure. I know I care about Joanna, but I’m unsure about what will happen next. I was going to admit to her just how deeply I feel for her, but then we were… interrupted.”
Leonard raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Interrupted, you say?”
Kenneth rolled his eyes. “Yes, indeed.”
“Well, I only came to see if you were well. Your mother had alerted me to your condition and had me race over here, expecting the worst. How was I to know that your beloved would be with you? Pretend beloved, excuse me.”
“Anyway, it is what it is. We were interrupted, and now I do not know when I might have a chance to speak to her again. I do not even know if it is the right thing.” Kenneth sighed deeply.
“What do you mean? You just told me she accepts you as you are. What is holding you back? Your fear of losing her? Kenneth, youwilllose her, eventually. Unless you pass away first, in which caseshewill lose you.” Leonard shrugged. “I know you do not want to hear it, but death is a certainty. Sometimes it comes sooner than we want, and sometimes we have more time than we wish for. Just ask my uncle. He is nearing eighty and longing for the world beyond. But you cannot live your life in fear. Tell her. You’ll see her this weekend, tell her then.”
“I hardly think an orphanage is the right place to make a love confession, Lenny.” Kenneth snorted.
Leonard lined up another shot, his tone taking on a hint of seriousness. “True, but seize the moments as they come, Kenneth. You might find that even in the most unexpected places, the heart reveals its desires. Besides, you already walked through fire to save her, why risk losing her after all by not telling her?” He took his last shot, and when the ball sank into the pocket, he rose with a grin. “Well, I dare say this is as good a time as any to stop, seeing that I’ve won. Again. Pray, when will you go to the orphanage again? Tomorrow?”
Kenneth put away the cue sticks and nodded.
Leonard raised an eyebrow. “Any progress on your investigation into Lord Carlisle’s activities? Has he ever deposited the money he said he was going to collect from the so-called pledgers?”
“He sent word via messenger that the funds are on the way. I must admit that I haven’t delved into business matters recentlyto confirm it. However, I plan to check on the progress Lord Carlisle promised when I’m there.”
Leonard, ever the skeptical friend, remarked, “I wouldn’t put too much trust in Carlisle. I know he is Lady Joanna’s father, but he strikes me as a bit duplicitous.”
Kenneth nodded in agreement, acknowledging the lingering doubts about Lord Carlisle’s true intentions. Just because he was getting closer to his daughter did not mean he had to put any stock in the man’s words. Besides, he got the feeling that Joanna did not care about her father much either.
Perhaps Joanna might know more about the matter, given her father was in charge of the funds.
No, it wouldn’t be right to ask her, not when they were meant to be seen together and act as a couple. Besides, they had gotten so close that he didn’t want to risk scaring her away by bringing up his and her father’s strained relationship.
Still, he couldn’t deny the warmth that filled him at the mere thought of her.
Leonard, catching the subtle shift in Kenneth’s expression, grinned. “Ah, the elusive Lady Joanna crosses your mind again.”
Kenneth rolled his eyes, dismissing his friend’s playful banter. “Enough of that. I have a duty to the orphanage, and Joanna suggested this visit. I won’t let sentimentality cloud myjudgment. If Lord Carlisle is up to no good, I will ensure he is brought to justice, but I still ought to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
With determined resolve, Kenneth pushed aside the rising anticipation and focused on the task at hand.
The following day, Kenneth’s carriage stopped outside Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Orphanage. The orphanage was located inside the old rectory of the catholic church, from which it drew its name—a church that had long ago been abandoned after the rise of Protestantism in England.
As he approached, he had to admit that there was one thing he agreed with Lord Carlisle on—the name was hindering its success. However, for the time being, they had different problems, such as building the new schoolhouse. He noted with dismay that the spots that had been cleared months ago remained empty with no signs of construction.
He turned up the collar of his greatcoat against the stiff breeze as dark clouds rode in from the south. Was Joanna here yet? If she was, she likely had already gone inside to shield herself from the rain that would no doubt fall at any moment.
His heart beat faster with anticipation as he approached. However, the moment he stepped through the heavy oak door, he sensed something was amiss.
The great hall was usually filled with children’s laughter. Although he saw now a handful of little ones mingling, they were quiet and subdued. He noticed at once they were not dressed for the weather. Likewise, no adult was around to supervise them, and the fireplaces were not lit.
While he had struggled with his renewed fear of fire, it troubled him greatly because the old rectory was drafty, and the children—many from poor backgrounds—were prone to illness.
His gaze sharpened as he noticed a familiar face in the corner—a little boy named Peter. He’d met him on prior visits and always found him a well-mannered, kind boy who took pains to look his best in hopes of being adopted.
