She’d found out their names. Thad gave the woman a look of approval and squatted down on his haunches. “How do you do, Emma? I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.” He gestured toward the buggy. “I’m afraid Billy bumped his head when he fell. He’s sleeping right now. Would you like me to lift you up in the buggy so you can be with him? I put a bandage on his head.”
Thad’s heart went right into his throat when she nodded, and he picked her up. Her chest was so small the fingers and thumbs of his hands touched each other. He lifted her to the seat beside Billy.
“How will you take them home? Do you think she will be able to tell you where they live?”
Thad almost snorted at the whispered words. Was this woman that sheltered? He turned toward her and took his first really good look at her. Her fancy hairdo, elegant clothes and the maid waiting for her in the shadow of a nearby tree gave him his answer. He took a step back from the buggy and motioned her to follow. “These children have no home, madam. The orphanage burned down last January and there’s no place to put them. They live on the streets.”
“But, but they’re little more than babies! And Billy is hurt.”
“Yes. I know.” The woman’s voice was full of horror. At least she had a heart—which was more than he could say for a goodly number of the wealthy patrons he’d approached for help with the problem.
“Well, what are you going to do about them?” The woman’s eyes shot a challenge at him—deep blue, almost violet eyes. “Well?”
Thad brought his focus back to the problem. “I’m not certain.” He scrubbed a hand across the nape of his neck, above his cravat. “I’ll try and find a home for them among my patients. At least temporarily. The boy—”
“Temporarily?” Those violet eyes flashed angry sparks.
“Yes. It’s not easy to place two small children in a home.” Thad frowned. “I suppose I’ll have better luck if I separate them and—”
“You’ll do no such thing!”
And he’d thought her eyes had flashed sparks before! Thad fought back a grin. With those flames shooting at him, he’d be fortunate if he had any eyebrows left. “Then, pray tell, what am I to do?”
“You will bring them to my house. You can treat the boy there. I’ll pay all costs.” The woman started toward his buggy, then stopped and looked up at him. “I shall have to ride with you. I sent my chaise home and the driver will not return for an hour.”
“I’d be honored.” Thad caught up to her in one long step. “And are you certain your husband and children will not object to having two ragamuffin street children foisted on them?”
The woman glanced up at him. The sparks were gone, and a deep sadness had taken their place. “I’m a widow. And I have no children.”
“I’m sorry.”
She dipped her head in acknowledgment, then turned and lifted a hand to summon her maid. “Annette, I am riding home with the doctor. Wait here. I’ll send the chaise for you.”
The maid shot a glance at the small buggy, opened her mouth, then pressed it into a thin, disapproving line and moved away.
The woman smiled up at the little girl. “Well, Emma, we are to have an adventure! The doctor is going to take us all to my house. I have a nice soft bed for Billy to rest in until he wakes up. And one for you, as well. Would you like that?”
Thad stepped closer as the child nodded. The woman placed her hand in his offered one, lifted her long skirts with the other and climbed into his buggy. She glanced down at the small, unconscious boy on the seat. “Will it do the boy harm if I move him? His head would be better protected from the jolting of the carriage if I cradle it in my lap.”
This elegant woman was going to cradle Billy’s bloody head against her expensive gown? Thad stared at her a moment, then nodded. “It’s quite safe to move him, madam.” He climbed into his buggy and glanced her way.
“Walnut Street, Doctor. I live at Twiggs Manor. Are you familiar with it?”
Twiggs Manor! So this woman was his new neighbor. He nodded and picked up the reins.
Thad hung the towel across a brass bar to dry, then turned and lifted the boy off the lounge sitting against the dressing-room wall. He’d heard of the new practice of piping running water into homes, but he’d never seen it before. Handy. Very handy. Next there’d be indoor “necessaries.”
Thad grinned at the thought, then tossed over the edge of the tub the towel he’d put under the boy to protect the settee while he bathed him, and walked into the bedroom. He swept his gaze around the grand room and shook his head. Billy wouldn’t know what to think when he woke up. Likely he’d be scared witless.
Thad laid the boy down on the bed and gently probed the swollen bruise above his bony right ankle. It was God’s mercy Billy’s legs were so skinny the ankle had wedged in between the cobblestones. The buggy rolling over it would have broken it otherwise. He pulled the covers over the small body and checked the clean bandage around Billy’s head. He’d cleansed then stitched up the wound as best he could with the swelling. It was all he knew to do.
Thad frowned. His colleagues would bleed the boy, believing draining off the blood would ease the swelling and make him wake up. More likely it would kill him.
The knock on the door interrupted his glum thoughts. He went to open it. The woman stood there holding the little girl by the hand.
“May we come in? Emma would like to see her brother.”
Thad looked down at the child. A grin started. He could feel it crinkling the corners of his eyes and tugging his lips upward as he squatted in front of her. She’d had a bath, as evidenced by her clean pink skin and shiny blond hair, but it was the towel draping her tiny frame that tickled him. A large red silk rose pinned two ends of it together at one shoulder and the rest was wrapped around her and held in place by a red silk sash that crisscrossed her shoulders and wound around her tiny waist. It finished in a bow with ends that trailed to the floor.
“I like your flower. I’ll bet Billy will, too, when he wakes up. He’s still sleeping.” He glanced at the cookie in her hand. “Is that for Billy?”
“Yes. It’s a cookie!” She gave him a shy smile. “I had one, too. I liked it.”
Thad scooped her up into his arms and headed across the room. “Why don’t you sit here—” he put her down on the bed beside her brother, then leaned her back against the soft feather pillow “—and eat that cookie, too? Billy can’t eat it while he’s sleeping.” He looked at her drooping eyelids, shook out the coverlet folded at the foot of the bed and laid it over her. “I’m sure when Billy wakes up, this nice lady will give him a cookie.”
Emma nodded and took hold of her brother’s hand. Her eyes closed. A moment later the cookie fell free. Thad put it on the nightstand beside his black bag.
“Will Billy wake up? He’s been sleeping an awfully long time. Is he going to be all right?”
Thad turned at the whispered words. The look on the woman’s face as she gazed down at the children made him catch his breath. “I think so, but I can’t be certain. I’ll do everything I know to do for him.”
“I’m sure you will, Dr. Allen. Please let me know if there is anything you need.”
The woman lifted her gaze to meet his, and Thad felt something he imagined akin to a mule’s kick hit him in the solar plexus. His guard went up. This woman could be dangerous to a man destined to be a bachelor. She held out her hand.
“I’m Laina Brighton. Thank you for your help, Doctor. I will be happy to pay for your services.” A faint flush spread across her cheeks. “Emma wanted to bring Billy the cookie. I’ve no experience at such things, but I’m sure he will need broth or something instead of cookies. You’ve only to tell me what you require for him and I’ll have cook prepare it.” She smiled. “And may I offer you dinner, Dr. Allen? I’m afraid I’ve made you miss your noonday meal.”
Thad bowed over her hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Brighton. And please, don’t concern yourself about my meal. I frequently miss th
em.” He looked back at the bed. “With your permission, I’ll just sit here by the bed. I want to be near when Billy wakes.”
“Certainly, Doctor. But you still must eat. I’ll have cook send up a tray.” She sent an anxious glance toward the bed. “I’ll be back to see how Billy is doing, but right now I must see about a seamstress. These children need clothes.” Another smile curved her lips as she looked back at him. “Though it may be difficult to get Emma to give up that towel—she was quite taken with the sash and the rose.”
Thad was quite taken with Laina Brighton. He stared after her as she left the room. Laina. The name fit her. It was unusual, and he’d never met another woman quite like her.
These children need clothes. What did that mean? Thad scrubbed his fingers through his hair and dropped into the chair beside him. Was Laina Brighton going to keep these children? Or was this only temporary until Billy was well? His knee began to jiggle up and down as he pondered the questions.
Thad frowned and stretched his long legs out in front of him to stop the annoying movement. He couldn’t believe this was merely a gesture on Laina Brighton’s part. Not after the way she’d called Henry Rhodes down this afternoon for not caring for the boy.
Thad grinned and leaned back in the chair. He’d never seen the financial giant look so…so nonplussed! Not that he blamed Henry. Laina Brighton had looked magnificent—regal—standing there ramrod straight in her purple dress, with the sun shining on her dark curls and her eyes flashing angry sparks.
A compassionless pygmy of a man with no honor! A low chuckle bubbled out of Thad’s throat. Henry Rhodes would never forget that. No one dared say such things to him. And when Laina Brighton dismissed him! Well, if he were a wagering man he’d be willing to bet it was the first time Henry Rhodes had ever been speechless. The look on the man’s face—
A soft whimper broke off his thoughts. Thad bolted to his feet, reaching to keep Billy from moving. He was too late. The boy flopped onto his side. Thad frowned and reached down to check the youngster’s pulse.
Chapter Seven
“Laina, whatever is happening? Why is Dr. Allen here?” Elizabeth rushed into the parlor, clutching two small garments in her hands. “And why do you need one of Mary’s dresses?”
“Elizabeth!” Laina stopped pacing and hurried over to give her sister-in-law a hug. “How lovely you came. But you needn’t have—truly. Tilly would have brought the dress to me.”
“Yes. But then I wouldn’t know what this is all about. I confess, I’m curious.” Elizabeth handed Laina the garments.
“Oh, you brought a chemise! Thank you. I didn’t think of undergarments. Look! It’s such a bright, sunny yellow.” Laina held up the small checked-gingham dress with matching white apron. “She’ll look adorable in it!”
“Who will look adorable in it?”
“Emma.”
“And who…?”
Laina laughed. “This will go faster if I simply tell you what happened. But I must hurry before she or Billy wake.”
“Billy? Who is—?”
“Billy is the little boy who was struck down by a carriage.” Laina pulled Elizabeth down beside her on the blue brocade couch. “When I went to market this—”
“You went to market?”
Laina nodded. “I wanted to see what was available for the garden party. Anyway, as I started down the street a little boy—Billy—darted into the road. He was being chased by the stall owner from whom he’d stolen two rolls.”
“Billy’s a thief!”
Laina lifted her chin. “He’s a young boy who is trying to keep himself and his little sister alive.”
“I see.” Elizabeth’s gaze fastened on her raised chin. “And Emma is Billy’s sister?”
“Yes.” Laina shot her an exasperated look. “Elizabeth, do stop interrupting, or I’ll never finish before the seamstress arrives.”
“The seam—?” Elizabeth snapped her mouth closed. “I’m sorry. I’ll refrain from interrupting again. Please continue.”
“Well, that’s actually about all there is to tell.” Laina rose and walked over to peer out the front window. Where was Carlson? Surely he should have returned with the seamstress by now. “Billy didn’t see the carriage coming, and the driver, who was going much too fast, couldn’t stop. The horse knocked Billy down. He hit his head on the cobblestones and went unconscious. The carriage ran over his legs.”
Elizabeth gasped. Laina whirled to face her. “Exactly! And the owner of the carriage was simply going to leave the child lying there in the street! I told him I would care for the boy and sent him on his way. And then, while Dr. Allen—”
“Doc—? Sorry.” Elizabeth clamped her mouth shut again.
Laina frowned. “Am I not making sense? Dr. Allen arrived on the scene and examined the boy. It was he who noticed the two rolls and realized the boy was not alone. And then when I saw the little girl peeking at us from behind the rain barrel we decided she must be the one the other roll was for, so of course I went to get her.” She drew a breath. “And when Dr. Allen explained about the orphanage burning down and these children having no home but the streets…well, there was no choice but to have him bring them here. And I certainly couldn’t put their filthy, tattered clothes back on them after their baths.”
Elizabeth stared at her.
“Well, could I?”
“No. Of course not.” Elizabeth gave a little shake of her head. “That explains the dress, the seamstress and Dr. Allen’s buggy out front. How is Billy now?”
“He’s still unconscious.” Laina rubbed her thumbs over the soft cotton fabric of the small dress in her hands. “I’m concerned for him.”
“Yes. I can see you are.”
Elizabeth sat studying her, and Laina was afraid her sister-in-law saw a lot more than the worry on her face. She had a feeling Elizabeth was looking straight into the secret places of her heart. She drew a deep breath and offered a source of distraction. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth, I’ve been rude. I haven’t even offered you tea.” She headed for the bellpull next to the door.
Elizabeth shook her head and rose. “Not today, Laina. I have to be on my way. Why don’t you take that dress up to Emma and look in on Billy?” She smiled and gave her a hug. “We can have tea anytime. Right now you have other things to tend to, and so do I. Justin is bringing home some business associates for dinner and I must get ready.” She stepped to the door. “Send Tilly if there is anything more you need. I’m pleased to help. And don’t worry so, Laina. Billy will be all right.” With a wave of her hand, she left.
Laina drew a deep breath. She loved Elizabeth dearly, but sometimes her sister-in-law made her uncomfortable. How could she believe with such certainty Billy would improve? She shook her head, looked down at the dress in her hands and headed for the stairs. Beaumont would inform her when the seamstress arrived.
“He was awake?” Laina glanced up at the doctor. He was taller even than Justin—her head barely reached his shoulder. She looked away. He made her feel small, a sensation she was unaccustomed to, being taller than most of her friends.
“Not fully awake, no. But he did turn over and moan. And that’s a good sign.”
Laina shot him a perplexed look. “Forgive me my ignorance, Dr. Allen, but I’ve no experience at this sort of thing. How can it be good that Billy is hurting?”
Thad shook his head. “You mistake me, Mrs. Brighton. Billy’s pain isn’t good, his awareness of it is. It means his mind is working.”
“I see. That makes sense. Still…” Laina brushed a strand of soft blond hair off the bandage on Billy’s forehead. “What a brave little boy he is, caring for his sister when he’s not much more than a baby himself. Oh!”
Laina jerked her hand back as Billy moaned and rolled onto his back. Tears welled into her eyes. “I hurt him!” She looked up at the doctor. “I’m so sorry. I—”
“You didn’t hurt him, Mrs. Brighton. He’s coming back to consciousness.” Thad gave her a warning look.
“You may want to leave. He will probably be sick.”
Laina’s stomach churned at the thought. She took a breath, blinked the tears from her eyes and shook her head. “No. I’ll stay. If I’m to have the children, I must learn how to care for them.”
She was going to keep them! Thad nodded approval. “It seems Billy is not the only one here who is brave.”
Laina gave a nervous little laugh. “I’m not brave, Doctor. I’m a coward. My stomach is even now rebelling at the thought of that unpleasantness. I’m not sure I will manage to remain.”
“Which makes you very brave, Mrs. Brighton. Anyone can do something that doesn’t bother—”
A retching sound scraped across his words. Thad grabbed the washbowl he had waiting on the nightstand, put it on the bed and gently turned Billy onto his side. He tightened his arm around the boy’s bony shoulders as his thin body tensed and tried to release the contents of his stomach.
“Don’t you hurt Billy!”
Thad twisted his head toward the little girl on the bed and a small fist struck him on the ear. Another hit his shoulder. He ducked his head to protect his eyes.
“Emma!” Laina rushed to the other side of the bed and pulled the enraged toddler away from the doctor. The child twisted about in her arms and grabbed a fistful of his hair. “You leave Billy alone!”
Laina gasped, forced open the small hand and pulled it tight against her chest. “Emma, the doctor is not—Ouch!”
Laina yanked her hand away, staring in disbelief at the teeth marks across its back, then again imprisoned Emma’s grasping hand in hers. “This is not the way a young lady acts, Emma. Now, stop fighting and listen to me!” It was her mistress-of-the-house voice.
The toddler froze.
So did Laina. Had she spoken that sternly to a child? She didn’t follow the thought further. “Dr. Allen is not hurting Billy, Emma. He’s helping him get better.” The child quieted and stared up at her. Laina smiled. “You can help Billy, too, by being a good girl and letting the doctor do his job. You want to help Billy, don’t you?”
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