Lavvie straightened her shoulders. “I am sure we shall see each other soon.”
Chapter Fourteen
Dom had arrived home from White’s and called for Tom to be brought to him. He now sat on Dom’s lap. Obviously, the boy had lived with both parents at some point, and the time had come to find out as much about them as he could. No one had been successful before, but there was nothing for it, he hoped that the child felt safe enough now to give him the information. “Tom, what’s your full name?”
“James Thomas Hubert.” He frowned at Dom. “Are you angry with me?”
“No, of course not.” Why would he think that? “Why?”
“Because my mama used to call me that when she was angry.”
He ruffled the boy’s hair. “You’ve done nothing wrong.” He grinned. “But at least now I know what to call you when you do something wrong. So, ah, Mr. Hubert was your papa?”
“No, that’s my third name after Mama’s uncle who died.”
Dom might be getting the first headache of his life. “What was your father’s last name?”
Once again, the child’s lips formed a mulish line.
Dom pressed his fingers to his temple and rubbed. “Let me guess, you’re not supposed to tell.”
Tom nodded his head emphatically. What or who the hell had scared the child so thoroughly?
Light feminine voices floated down the hall. Mama was home, and she had someone with her. Perhaps it was Thea. He tugged the bell pull and a footman popped his head in the door.
“My lord?”
“If Miss Stern is here, please ask her to attend me.”
“Yes, my lord.”
It was the correct response, but Dom had never heard it given with so much enthusiasm.
A few minutes later, his mother and Thea entered the room. Tom jumped up and wrapped his arms around her legs.
Thea laughed. “You are getting so big. You’ll soon knock me over.”
Dom glanced at the lad. In just a few days, Tom had put on enough weight that he’d started to look healthy. “Isn’t it time for your lessons?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll go find Sally.” Tom ran to the door, closing it behind him.
Thea raised a brow. “Lessons?”
“With one of the maids until I have time to hire a tutor. We need to discuss the child. He’s not what he first seemed.”
“Yes, that’s what you said.”
Thea and his mother took seats on the sofa by the windows overlooking the garden and Dom rang for tea.
They discussed Thea’s shopping until tea arrived. His mother motioned for Thea to pour.
Dom took his cup. It was nice having her here. He was impatient for the time when he would share every meal with her. “My housekeeper brought it to my attention. The child appears to be gently bred.” He told them about his conversations with Tom. “After what he’s been through, I don’t want to threaten him.”
“I agree.” Thea poured milk into her cup and stirred. “Perhaps I can talk to him and find out more. Though I believe I know why he is afraid to talk. From what you said, it appears he was taken in by a group of thieves that train children to rob.”
He set his cup down with a snap. “You cannot be serious.”
She gave a light shrug. “If one lives in London, it is fairly common knowledge.”
