“Or the gray,” Verity chimed in. “But at least it’s safe outside.”
Isabel nodded, coming near them again. “I do wish we could take them out to the countryside, but Sebastian pointed out the proximity to the city gives them better opportunities once they are older an on their own. I don’t like it, but I understand the sentiment.”
“It’s very thoughtful,” Isla offered.
“Thank you so kindly! Do feel free to ask any questions, of course. Carry on, ladies, I must speak to Mrs. Ambroise aboutthe well.” Off she skipped while Isla had another duchess on either arm.
Their party carried on from room to room. It was a clean sort of space for what they could manage in this part of London, Isla surmised, and she was impressed at the orderliness of the space. She listened more than spoke, soaking in the conversations.
Perhaps someday I can support this too, or a place like it. Every child deserves a welcoming home.
Eventually they made it to the outside courtyard, which Isla could understand why it was everyone’s favorite. The architecture was modified to look like an Italian villa with scoped molding along the rooftop and plants growing in vines up the walls.
Her heart softened. It was a very cozy place where the children could learn and grow and play. She noted vegetable plants growing in the corners, and strolled over to where she saw two children with their hands buried deep in the dirt.
“Are you plucking out weeds or plants today?” She asked lightly.
The little boy couldn’t be more than four. “Weeds! I think.”
Before she could say anything more, the slightly older girl gasped loudly and pointed at a small carrot. “You did it all wrong!”
“No, I didn’t!”
Hastily bending down, caring little about her dress now, Isla collected the carrot. “It’s very hard learning what to pull sometimes, isn’t it? But fortunately, I do think we can plant it right back. That doesn’t always work, but this one looks brave and strong. Shall we bury him back in?”
“Yes, please!” The little boy looked ready to cry. “I didn’t mean to do it all wrong.”
“Of course you didn’t,” she reassured him. “Some of the weeds look very much like vegetable greens. Wouldn’t you agree it takes a sharp eye?” She asked the girl.
“A very sharp eye!” The girl nodded her head so hard it looked like it might hurt. She stopped abruptly to say, “I’m Lucy.”
A name just like Lacey. Just as bold too, Isla noted. She smiled, noting the girl didn’t seem to notice the difference of finery between them. “A pleasure to meet you, Lucy. I’m Isla. And who might you be?”
“James!”
“And a pleasure to meet you, James. Now, who wants to plant the carrot back in?”
They both did, of course. So Isla gently walked them both through the process of shifting the dirt and planting it back in.They asked questions every five seconds. Clever children, she tried to answer them all but found herself laughing over the onslaught of their curiosity as they went from carrots to cabbage to cats.
“Lucy!” A shrill voice shouted once they were back to pulling weeds properly. “We’re going to play marbles!”
“Oh!” The girl scrambled up. “I need to go! Isla, won’t you play, too?”
Isla paused in surprise and then glanced at James who had accidentally faceplanted in the dirt. Helping him back onto his knees, she said, “Can James come with us?”
“Yes, I suppose so. But no touching any marbles, James,” Lucy instructed while brushing her dark braid from her face. “But you can, Isla. I don’t think you would lose any marbles. Would you?”
She tried to keep a straight face. “Well, you never know. I’ll be happy to watch alongside James.”
Taking the little boy in hand, Isla followed Lucy across the courtyard. They passed Genevieve who was dancing in a circle with most of the other girls, and they all waved happily.
“I’m coming!” Lucy screeched. “I’m coming and I have Isla with me. Everyone, make room!”
And there really was happiness here. Smiles and laughter were freely shared at this orphanage. Isla’s heart filled with gladness to be here as she knelt back on the hard ground alongside James to watch Lucy play marbles with three other children.
As she chuckled over the children’s eagerness to win, Isla decided to braid her hair with a scrap of cloth Lucy offered her. She was about to tie her hair back when she felt eyes her way.
All she had to do was turn to find Ronan. He stood by a small table of buckets for water and nuts for the children. Someone had placed him there surely to have him assist.
