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“I see.” How foolish she was becoming in her sadness at the man leaving. She now had three children with measles in her infirmary whose parents stopped in at least once a day. But aside from that contact, Walter and Lord Sterling had been her only constant companions.
She’d always been alone, with just Walter since she took over her father’s medical practice, but having Sterling here, teasing her, offering suggestions and otherwise making her day more pleasant had done just that. Made her day more pleasant.
“Then I suggest we take our walk in the garden after luncheon. That will give me time to—”
A loud banging on her front door brought her words to an abrupt halt. Instead of waiting for Walter to reach the newly-locked-all-the-time front door, she hurried there herself.
A dirty, unshaved man stood on her doorstep holding a girl of no more than five years. Blood dripped from her body and parts of her worn dress were torn and bore signs of a carriage wheel.
“Bring her in here.” Rayne stepped back and allowed the man to enter, then led him to the infirmary.
Sterling stood, leaning on his cane, watching.
“What happened to her?” Rayne motioned to the table she used for examinations.
“Got 'it wiv a carriage, she did.” He shifted his feet back and forth, looking as though he was ready to escape.
“Is she your daughter?”
“Nah. She’s wahn of them Itch And Scratch sellers. I clock 'er every day. Don’t kna 'oo she belongs ter, but I couldn’t leef 'er in the field of wheat. The carriage never stopped.” He didn’t look at all surprised at the young girl being treated in such a horrible manner. Life on the streets was hard and cruel.
Lips tight, Rayne nodded at him. “Thank you for bringing her in. If you would like some food, his lordship will direct you to the kitchen. I believe there is some cold meat from last night, as well as fresh bread we just bought this morning.” She nodded at Sterling who stood watching the scene.
“I wouldn't mind a bit ter eat. Thank yer.” He crumbled his worn cap in his hand and eyed Sterling warily.
If Sterling had been surprised at her ordering him to direct the man to the kitchen like a servant, it never showed. Instead, he waved the man to the doorway and followed him out. “This way, my man.”
Tears formed in her eyes when she looked at the little girl. She obviously did not get enough to eat, and from the dirt caked on her body, was not bathed in any sort of regular manner.
Her blond curls were matted with dirt and her face bore the marks of hitting the ground. Gently, Rayne used her scissors to cut the girl’s ragged dress off. She wore nothing underneath.
She quickly made an assessment of her injuries. Since the girl was unconscious, she assumed she’d been knocked out by the accident. She cringed when she looked at the poor waif without her dress. Some of the bruises on her body were old ones. She’d been subjected to beatings.
Lord Sterling returned to the room, hobbling along. “Our visitor decided to take the food with him. I can’t help but think he wanted to share it with others.”
“Look at this poor child!” Rayne’s voice shook.
Sterling’s lips tightened. “There is a special place in hell for those who mistreat defenseless children
and animals.”
“I agree.” She lifted the girl up and whipped the dress out from under her. Then she took a blanket and placed it over the small body.
“What can I do to help?”
* * *
If the good doctor had been surprised by his offer of help, she didn’t show it, which made Edwin feel good. Over the past few days, they had worked together, and he never felt so useful in his life.
Before the disaster with his sister in London, he hadn’t done much of anything to fill his days, just keeping track of his investment, which is man of business handled for him. Since then all he’d done was drink, gamble and wench. It felt good to be doing something for others, not himself.
He remembered shaking his head when he looked over Dr. Steven’s books. They were a mess. She might be a brilliant doctor—which he believed she was—but she was no businessman.
“If you will just stay by her side while I gather the things I need to treat her that would be quite helpful.” She ran her finger down the girl’s cheek and then moved away.
Edwin stared down at the child. She was lovely, undernourished and neglected as well as abused. She could be no more than five years and she was out in the streets selling matchsticks.
The girl should be better fed, better clothed and in school. Life was hard for so many and yet there were those who had much more than they need.
