Page 8 of A Mother for the Blind Duke’s Orphans

“Your Grace, please ignore Penelope’s impudence.” The earl’s breath was short with alarm.

The earl spoke quickly, almost desperately, as if Miss Norish’s words embarrassed him more than they offended Hector. But Hector wanted her to continue her question, to see how brave she truly was.

Whenever someone realized his death stare was simply an eyesight issue, an awkward silence followed, filled with sympathy and pity. And he despised pity more than anything else.

He was not blind as others meant it. The world did not completely vanish after his accident. It had just… ceased to explain itself completely. He had learned how to cope with that.

He could see shapes, outlines, colors, and movement if not too fine. And the shape and colors of Miss Norish were quite pleasing to look at. Her words, on the other hand⁠—

“I apologize, Your Grace, but I do not understand. If you came only to determine my intentions, then surely you have your answer. What is it that you require of me now?” Miss Norish spoke clearly.

Under the frustration, he was delightfully surprised. He was used to people softening in regard to his impaired vision and had expected correction for his benefit, but instead, she kept her ground, and he felt a sort of admiration for her.

Her uncle stepped in front of her, blocking her elegant colors and sweet shape from Hector’s view. He almost scowled, but controlled himself.

I cannot afford any distractions.

“Your Grace, my niece will assist you with whatever you need,” the earl said desperately.

“I expect that and nothing less,” Hector responded simply as he grew impatient.

He did not know much about Miss Norish, or Poppy, as everyone called her. All he knew was that she was the daughter of Viscount Norish, that she was twenty-three years old, and that his nieces loved her so much that they refused to budge without her. Or at least Aurora refused; whatever opinions Poppy held, they emerged as roars of protest when he attempted to pick her up. He had planned every step of their return. Miss Norish had not been part of that plan, and Hector disliked variables he could not control.

He turned more fully toward her then. Her figure sharpened under the new light when her uncle moved, and he could see her pale skin. He made out a few dark blonde tendrils that lay loosely on her shoulders as if she had no time to pin them up. His eyes slowly studied the shadow of her face, but he could not make out the color of her eyes.

“Miss Norish, I do not have time to keep arguing with you,” he said directly to her. “I simply came to London to collect my nieces. Since then, they have presented… complications.”

“Your Grace,” Miss Norish continued. “Since you are their uncle, of course you want them safe, but it will take time for them to adjust to you and their new…home.”

Her voice cracked on the last word, and Hector leaned on his cane before stillness returned. “I presume that you would be willing to help with that.”

She frowned. Another tear let loose and fell gracefully across her face.

“Your Grace. I only visited the orphanage to help where I can. But if you require me to ease them into the adoption, then… I can assist.”

“I require something of that sort.” His words confused her.

Hector had carried the report of his niece’s whereabouts in his coat like an accusation.

Two girls, a four-year-old and an infant taken in at a London orphanage.

He had not known where his sister’s children were, nor that there were two. And each hour of his ignorance was neglect on his side. He felt as though he was failing miserably in his duty as a duke, as an uncle, and as a brother. But his family did not cease to exist, and he refused to leave without them.

I will do anything to get them home. And that was why he was at Bendon House.

“Aurora needs time.” Miss Norish spoke about the child as if she were her own.

Hector raised a dark brow at her. “As I said, it must happen today.”

She froze.

He expected anger. Perhaps another argument.

Instead, her fingers tightened together, as though she was trying to remain composed for the sake of the children.

“I would like you to know, Miss Norish, that I have no intention of harming them.”

He watched as her tense shoulders dropped slightly with ease.