Page 115 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

He took a blanket from the saddlebag on his horse and spread it on the grass, indicating for her to have a seat. She lowered herself to the ground, making herself comfortable on the soft wool of the blanket. From the saddlebag he also produced a large bottle of lemonade and a parcel that she suspected contained some of Cook’s delicious biscuits.

He brought them over, indicating the lemonade. ‘I forgot glasses,’ he said with a shrug. ‘We will have to drink from the bottle.’

‘I do not mind. When I was young my parents would sometimes take us for picnics on the beach in the summer when it was a particularly hot day. We would walk across the dunes and find a quiet spot, spread out a blanket and enjoy our lunch with the sea lapping at the shore in the distance. My mother never remembered to pack glasses, and Margaret and I always shared lemonade straight from the bottle.’

‘It sounds idyllic.’

Alice wobbled her head from side to side. She couldn’t complain about her childhood, not when she compared it to the awful circumstances the children in the London orphanages and on the streets lived in, yet it had not been happy. There had been happy times, long summer days spent playing with Lydia and her sister, paddling in the sea and coming home soaked through with seawater, the winter storms where she and Margaret would creep to the empty attic room and watch the thunder and lightning light up the village and the sand dunes beyond. She had some fond memories, but there had always been an uneasiness in their house. Her father was strict, even more so than most parents she knew. He would bring out his cane if he thought she or Margaret had committed any more substantial infractions of his rules. Often the girls would be unable to eat their dinner because their punishment had split the skin on their hands.

Their mother had not been so coldly cruel, but she had expected quiet obedience from her two daughters and was quick to anger if they did not obey. It had not been a happy childhood, but she had been clothed and housed in comfort, with decent meals on the table.

‘You have happy memories?’

‘I used to enjoy the times I had playing on the beach with my sister,’ Alice said, deciding not to mention the difficult feelings she had towards her parents.

‘That is a well-practised answer. You are skilled at diplomacy, Alice.’ He regarded her as he sat down. ‘Am I to take it your childhood wasn’t idyllic?’

She puffed her cheeks out and then blew out the air before shaking her head.

‘It wasn’t idyllic,’ she said slowly. ‘It wasn’t terrible, but my parents were distant and cold, and I was always one step away from punishment. I cannot complain when I see what some children have to endure, but it is not the way I would want to bring my children up.’ She glanced at him quickly before adding, ‘If ever I have them.’

‘It is perhaps why you are so interested in the work with children on the streets and in orphanages that the London Ladies’ Benevolent Society does.’

‘I think you may be right,’ she said, taking the bottle of lemonade after he had popped out the cork for her. It felt strange to swig from a bottle in front of this man she barely knew, but she was thirsty, and after a moment she pushed away her reticence and took a delicate sip. The lemonade was delicious and refreshing, and she decided to forget about what she looked like or what Simon thought of her and took a long gulp of the beverage. ‘Since I have taken over the helm I have steered the society towards projects that help women and children. We do a lot of fundraising and donate to many good causes, but there has been a definite shift to help the most vulnerable in society with our efforts.’

‘I have been making enquiries,’ Simon said as he sat beside her. The blanket wasn’t huge, and he sat close without his position being scandalous. They were a married couple and there was nothing wrong with them sharing some refreshment whilst seated together in a public park, yet somehow when his hand brushed hers it felt as though they were doing something illicit.

‘Enquiries?’

‘Into your society. I am impressed. What you have managed to do in a year is nothing short of extraordinary.’

A subtle warmth diffused through her body, making her skin tingle at his compliment.

‘It has taken up much of my time these last few months, but I feel like we are finally making a difference where it is most needed.’

She glanced at him and decided she would share a little more. He looked engaged and interested, and although she had vowed she would continue her life in the knowledge he might leave it at any moment, she did not have to petulantly shut him out of her world.

‘Lady Kennington has identified a small orphanage close to the slums of St Giles that she thinks would benefit immensely from our patronage. Apparently it is a dilapidated building that takes from the poorest areas. I am planning on visiting later today to see whether we will be able to help.’

‘I am sure any donations will be thankfully received.’

‘I hope we might be able to offer more than that. Many of the ladies from the Benevolent Society are keen to do more than just fundraise. We have a mix of backgrounds and a wealth of expertise at our disposal. It will depend on who runs the orphanage, but I am hopeful we might be able to provide more than just money.’

‘What do you mean?’ He leaned forward, looking intrigued, and Alice felt a rush of satisfaction at his interest.

‘One of the main limitations of many of the orphanages is the lack of support as the children get to the age when they are no longer eligible for a bed and a hot meal from the establishment. They may have rudimentary reading and writing skills, perhaps very basic arithmetic, and they will be trained to do a number of menial household jobs, but often it is not enough. People see they are from the orphanage and will not give them a chance, except in the very lowest paid positions.’

‘I cannot argue with the truth of that.’

‘I am not sure exactly what the answer is yet. Perhaps better schooling, perhaps a focus on certain trades and skills for when they leave the orphanage. I am hoping with a small establishment like St Benedict’s we may be able to foster a system where some of our benefactors look to take in the young boys and girls when they reach fourteen and help to train them as maids and footmen. It may take a little patience, but I believe with the right people it could make the world of difference.’

‘A little like your scheme to match the wealthier families with the poorer to provide support over the winter in Bamburgh.’

She felt her cheeks flush, finding that she was pleased he had remembered.

‘It is an admirable idea, but it would be a big adjustment, asking these children to abide by the rules of a wealthy and prominent household.’

Alice shook her head vehemently. ‘It is the perfect time to do it. They have been used to strict rules for years, being told exactly what they can do and when by the master or matron of the orphanage. It is better to take them from that environment, before there have been too many other corrupting influences.’ She cocked her head to one side. ‘You have borne witness to this scheme in action.’