AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What am I supposed to do, then, Captain? Sit at home twiddling my thumbs and looking pretty for guests?” Eleanor snorted. “I can’t do that even on my best days.”
“I wasn’t…”
“Ladies of society do charitable work, don’t they? Then I’ll carry on doing it. Giving something to the community.” Eleanor lifted her chin defiantly. “You want to stop me, you’re going to have to shackle me to the bed. I…” Then her face went bright red. “I mean…”
“I know what you meant.” Although Nathan was having a hard time wiping away the image of Eleanor shackled to her bed. He cleared his throat. “Your father let you have too much freedom.”
“He let me do what was right.”
“There are a lot of dangerous people in that area of London. Someone could easily accost you, either on your own or when you’re with the children. You could end up injured or worse.”
Eleanor’s jaw tightened. “I carry a knife. I know how to use it. I’m not abandoning the children. A lot of them have had that happen already with their parents. I won’t do the same.”
“Eleanor…”
“Those boys and girls need a safe place, and that is not on the street. The nuns at the orphanage provide that. Better than the foundling hospital. I want to be the person they see as safe.”
She was really determined on this. Nathan found himself regarding her in a different light. An improved one. Eleanor had found something to focus her attention on, something to believe in. Not many women in society would do what she was doing, if any of them.
If the circumstances were different, Nathan would happily let her carry on. It was a good thing to do, and he understood her reasoning. But there was a lot going on, and children were being exploited. What happened if Eleanor got in the way? Nathan knew he wouldn’t be able to cope with that. While he wouldn’t be in love with her, losing a wife he respected was going to be just as devastating. Nathan couldn’t get the sight of Eleanor lying in the street bleeding out of his head.
No. She couldn’t.
“Disapprove all you want, Captain Reynolds,” Eleanor went on sharply, “but you’re not going to get me to stop.”
He had a feeling that he wouldn’t. But maybe he could until he had finished his investigation. Could he? Eleanor was stubborn. She might find out what he was doing and declare she was going to help. Nathan couldn’t have that.
He rubbed his hands over his face. This was not how he wanted to spend his first meeting with his future bride. “I’m sure we can discuss this at a different occasion.”
Eleanor shook her head. “No discussion, Captain. I’m doing it, whether you like it or not.” She rose to her feet. “You want to go off to war and get yourself shot for your country? I’ll go and look after the children. They need someone, and I’m not likely to get killed. It’s not reckless, unlike something you’re desiring to get back to.”
Nathan begged to differ on that. He watched as Eleanor adjusted her skirts and checked her hair was in place. Her fire had gone and now she was the cool, calm persona she had brought down earlier. Nathan wanted to see that fire again.
“I think I’m going to go back inside, Captain Reynolds,” Eleanor said crisply. “Miss Laurie is probably needing to be rescued from your mother.”
With a smooth turn, she went back into the house. Nathan watched her go. She could switch from her true self to a mask that settled down when she was backed into a corner. That wasn’t how anyone should live, having to watch what you said or did. Those few moments when they were talking, Nathan thought he could see the real Eleanor come through. Someone who had a desire to help others, do the right thing even if it wasn’t correct in society. She was dedicated.
And that made Nathan wonder what hole in her heart she was trying to fill.
* * *
Eric hovered near the orphanage, keeping himself in the alley to watch the main door. One of his new charges would be coming out of there soon. They had been easily tempted by the suggestion that they would be able to earn lots of money while working for him. As soon as Eric had the child’s trust, he would get them carted off to someone else who had a better use for them. The young lad won’t know what hit him, and by the time he realized that he had been duped, it would be too late.
Children were so gullible. It was easy to tempt them with a better life. None of them wanted to be in an orphanage. Getting them from the underfunded and terrible foundling hospital was much easier than this, especially with the wardens Eric could bribe, but finding children from the orphanage, run by the dedicated and steadfast nuns, was a challenge. It was one he excelled at.
The one where Reynolds’ future bride worked was extra special.
Eric was surprised to know that the woman he had met that night was Baron Heavenly’s daughter. He should have realized; there were many similarities between the two of them, but Eric had been shocked that Eleanor was not only charitable and compassionate, but she was lovely. A little over medium height with raven-black hair that was pinned back but that couldn’t hide the natural curls. She had a grace about her even when her eyes flashed fire. It was a surprise that she was still unmarried, and she would be approaching thirty in a little over a year.
She would be perfect. A beautiful spinster to draw Reynolds in, and then he would be so distracted that he wouldn’t realize he’s in danger. Eric was looking forward to seeing the look in the man’s eyes as he ran a dagger through his heart. Then he would take Reynolds’ place and Eleanor Heavenly wouldn’t even notice the difference.
This made taking Reynolds’ place and wife much easier with Eleanor being as pretty as she was. That worked in her favour. Eric wouldn’t kill her before the wedding. She wouldn’t know it wasn’t the man she married. Chances are, she would be expecting just a few intimate moments and that would be it.
Eric had an idea how to change that.
As if conjured up by his thoughts, Eleanor Heavenly appeared on the street. A footman was close behind her and they seemed to be in conversation. At least she was being sensible with her safety this time. Eric wondered how Heavenly could let his daughter walk around without an escort. He had to be mad. A pretty woman like her could get accosted at any time.
“Eleanor.”
