“Why do you steal?” I asked before Papa frightened him again.
He lost his cocksure expression, only to glower more ferociously. He looked as if he’d never considered anyone might ask him that. “Is this a joke?”
Papa opened his mouth, but I spoke quickly. “No. We want to help you.” I gestured towards the door. “Why don’t we have a cup of tea in the sitting room?”
“Irene.” A warning rang out in Papa’s voice.
The man was stunned. His surprise appeared as an orange flame through his aura.
“We can have a chat.” I headed to the sitting room, followed by two grumbling men. “Have a seat.” I took my place on the sofa.
The man shuffled his feet and gazed around, fear darkening his glow. Papa was a walking storm cloud, but at least he didn’t protest.
I poured the tea when everyone was sitting. “What’s your name?”
He stared at the food with enough hunger to make me sad. “Alex.” He tentatively reached for a sandwich.
“Do you have a family name, Alex?” Papa didn’t sound encouraging.
Alex devoured half a sandwich before answering, “Hart.”
“I’m Viscount Mansel, and this is my daughter, Miss Irene Harlowe,” Papa said. “And this is my house, Harlowe House. If it weren’t for my daughter, I would have sent for the police two hours ago.”
Alex stopped eating. A few breadcrumbs dropped onto his trousers, and he picked them up with a finger. “Thank you.” He stared at me, his silver-grey eyes widening.
I probed him. A flare of his resentment scratched my skin, but underneath that, there was also sweet gratitude.
“Thank you for helping me.” My muscles were still sore after the seizure.
He shrugged and kept eating.
“Tell us about yourself.” I pushed the sandwich plate towards him. “Where are your parents?”
He took a long sip of tea. “They died four years ago. The flu outbreak.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
A quick twitch of his mouth was his only reaction. My power shot out again and caught deep sadness. His aura lost its brightness as well. He seemed about to say something but didn’t.
“Can’t you find a job?” Papa kept his gaze on him.
“I tried, my lord.” Alex’s voice sounded steadier. “But my parents left behind a substantial debt, and the only cheap thing in London is pity, which is also useless.”
That shut us up. A young man with no family and a debt didn’t have many options. I touched my father’s hand to discourage him from being harsh.
He coughed into his fist. “I may find you a job here.”
“Papa.” I hugged him and squeezed him tightly.
Alex didn’t react as joyfully as I expected. A charcoal-coloured light glowed around him as he looked at us with suspicion. “What’s the catch?”
Papa patted my back. “That you stop stealing, especially from me.” He rose. “Wait here.”
“I don’t understand.” Alex angled towards me after Papa left. “Why are you so generous?”
“Everyone deserves a chance at a better life, and fate was unkind to you. It’s a pleasure for us to help you.”
“Right.” He ate another sandwich, giving me a sideways glance.
