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Tabbie rushed through the door, with her son and
daughter. “Hello,” she called as the children raced in.
Another of the babies began to cry at the noise and Tabbie gave him a tiny wink as she crossed to pick it up. “Is Mrs. Bentley coming with bottles?”
“Yes,” Ella replied. “You know the routine?”
Tabbie nodded. “Though my role is more benefactor, I try to volunteer often. I’ve always wanted to help people. And who could resist these little muffins?”
She kissed the baby’s cheek.
“Do they stay in the orphanage?” Ella asked gently bouncing the baby.
“Some, but babies like these often find families willing to take them in.” Tabbie looked down at the little face in her arms. “They deserve loving homes.”
Pain flickered in her soulful eyes. “They do,” Ella answered quietly.
Matthew swallowed down the lump in his throat. She had also been cast out of her home. Left without a family. He had the power to change that for her. She deserved it. But for him too. How had he not seen sooner that she would be a loving wife and mother? That the answer to his own pain had been sitting across from him for the past few days.
Mrs. Bentley entered the room and without so much as a word, handed him a strange glass contraption full of milk. He dared not ask where the milk had come from.
Then even more odd, she directed him to a chair and placed a tiny baby in his arms. Fear made his muscles seize. He’d rather face that angry group of men who accosted Ella again then figure out how to care for this child. What if the babe cried?
“Just tip the milk slowly into her mouth,” Mrs. Bentley said as she gave him a kind smile, her worn features softening. She patted his shoulder before she walked away.
The little one opened her eyes and gazed up at him, her little fingers grasping at the edges of the blanket. His fear melted away as he held her head up a little and placed the milk at her lips.
She drank greedily and satisfaction made him smile. He glanced up to see Ella doing the same for another child. She looked more beautiful than he could have ever imagined and his breath caught.
They spent the afternoon caring for the babies. Holding them, feeding, soothing. It was exhausting and exhilarating. More importantly, for the first time in two years, he saw his future before him. Sarah’s hurt and Camille’s disappearance had left him in a state of waiting. As he’d tried to reconcile the past he hadn’t been able to move on. But Ella had shown the way. He had been trying to find his path again and here it was.
The babe he’d fed earlier rested against his chest, pressed into him, sleeping. In his mind, he’d named her Mildred, Millie for short. And the little girl that Ella held, Sophie. They made his heart ache with tenderness. Their needs so simple and their love pure. If Ella agreed, they might make these girls part of their family. They’d fill their home with children and with love.
By dinnertime, they’d tucked the babies back into their cradles and he escorted Ella to their carriage. Tabbie had left some hours ago and a pleasant tiredness filled his limbs.
“That was wonderful,” Ella said as she climbed into the carriage.
He gave a light chuckle. “I agree.”
“You were a natural,” she replied but some of the joy in her voice was lost. It grew tighter, more pained. He didn’t understand at all.
“As were you.” He sat next to her and reached for her hand and settled her against him in comfort. It was one of those times that words failed him but he wanted to be close to her. His beautiful Ella.
Chapter Eleven
Ella sat in the carriage with her body pressed to his. It was a bittersweet moment. She’d found her calling today, she was sure of it. It filled her with joy to be with those children. And his hard warmth made her breath quicken, but she knew it was a temporary situation. One that would soon come to an end.
But it had been even sweeter to share those moments with Matthew. Every time she’d seen him holding a child her heart had constricted in her chest. He looked wonderful, so strong and yet so loving. She’d ached to be next to him.
But she was equally certain that some other woman would have that future. A lovely debutante would be his duchess, bear his children. They’d sit together by the fire, holding their beautiful baby speaking in soft tones of love.
A lump lodged in her throat. She didn’t want to be sad now. She hoped to enjoy her time with him as best she could. She had another day to be by his side. Once they’d been to the Saint Madeleine and she’d filled her role as interpreter, he likely wouldn’t need her any longer. She’d begin her life at the orphanage and he would likely find a suitable bride.
They had this moment and Ella wished to make the best of it. These memories needed to last a lifetime.
They arrived back at the inn. Escorting her upstairs, Matthew once again ordered a meal and they ate in the same companionable silence.
Ella’s eyes strayed to him often, studying the hard planes of his face in sharp contrast to that of his softer lips.
