No Earls Allowed (The Survivors #2)(26)

“We’re having porridge, my lady,” Jimmy told her.

“And toast,” James added.

“And Major says we’re to eat like the nobs do,” Robbie added. Then he smacked Angus on the back of the head. “Get your fingers out of the porridge. We have to pray and then Lady Juliana eats first.”

Angus sent up a loud protest, but it was interrupted—as was the rest of the commotion—by the arrival of Mr. Wraxall. He didn’t say a word or do anything more than step into the room, and the boys fell silent. Robbie gazed at him with something like adoration while Walter’s lip curled in a sneer. Julia rather thought her own gaze must have mirrored Robbie’s. Wraxall looked devastatingly handsome this morning. In a coat, breeches, waistcoat, and cravat, he made quite the contrast to the boys in their untucked shirts and frayed trousers. Charlie had said Wraxall had made the boys wash, and Julia could also tell some of them had brushed their hair. Wraxall had also tended to his own toilette. His face was freshly shaven and his dark hair brushed back. His blue eyes regarded her from under thick lashes.

He gave her a slight bow. “My lady.”

Her heart might have stopped if the boys hadn’t distracted her by copying him and bowing themselves—all save Walter and Billy. She blinked in surprise at the greeting. Then she remembered herself and rose. “Good morning, Mr. Wraxall and…gentlemen.” She had been about to call them boys, but she knew it would please them more if she called them gentlemen, especially as they were acting so gentlemanly. “Master Charlie tells me you have prepared a feast to break our fast.”

“It’s just porridge and toast, my lady,” James said, ever truthful.

Julia smiled. “Yes. A feast. Shall we say grace and then eat?”

“Aye!” George said. “I’m fair starving.”

Julia was thankful for the distraction of the boys. She had something to look at besides the imposing form of Mr. Wraxall. As she folded her hands, she spared him another look. He had a wry smile on his face. “Mr. Wraxall, would you like to do the honors, or shall I?”

He inclined his head toward her. “I wouldn’t dream of taking your place, my lady.”

She nodded, then lowered her head and closed her eyes. Usually, she kept one eye open and trained on Walter or Ralph, but today, she didn’t worry. She thanked God for the meal and the service of the young gentlemen, and when she finished, the young boys were beaming. Then at a nod from Wraxall, the boys took their seats and Charlie escorted her to the sideboard. As the plates were already on the table, she carried hers with her. When they reached the sideboard, Wraxall was there.

“What do I say again?” Charlie asked him.

“Ask if you can be of any assistance.”

“Can I be of any assistance?”

“No, thank you, Charlie. You may sit down.” She opened the towel keeping the toast warm and used tongs to place one on her plate. It smelled fresh and yeasty, and she gave Wraxall an approving smile. “I must say I’m impressed, Mr. Wraxall. This looks quite delicious.” She lifted the lid of the larger pot of porridge and spooned some into her bowl. Porridge was one of her least favorite foods, but she would eat every last bite because her boys had made it.

“The boys are good at following orders,” he said, taking her plate and handing it to Walter. “Take this to Lady Juliana’s seat.”

Walter took it and mumbled something.

“What was that, Walter?”

“Yes, sir,” he said more loudly. Clearly Wraxall understood, as she had quite early on, that keeping Walter busy meant keeping him out of mischief.

“You are good at giving orders,” she said, adding a meager helping of sugar to her tea. It was a luxury and she used it sparingly.

“I’ve had practice.”

“And your skills have proved quite useful. Do you think you will be able to finish securing the orphanage by the end of the day? I’m certain that applicants for the position of cook will arrive tomorrow, and I can handle breakfast for one morning. We can’t expect you to stay another night.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’ll stay as long as necessary.”

It was a generous offer, and she wanted to be appreciative, but every time she looked at him, she felt an unwanted tug of attraction. And every moment she was with him was one more chance for him to show his true nature.

You think I’m nice?

She had to remember he was a man. Everything he did was for his own selfish reasons. She could not fathom what those might be, but she did not trust him.





Seven


Neil needed a drink. He hadn’t had so much as a sip of wine since he’d arrived at the orphanage. Without drink to smooth the edges, he felt his emotions too keenly. Since coming back from the war, Neil had learned that feeling anything was dangerous. He didn’t want to relive the anguish he’d felt when his brother had died or when Draven’s men had been killed. He’d felt it all too powerfully, and he’d been powerless to do anything about it.

Now, the rawness of the pain and loss he’d suffered seeped in again. And with those emotions came others. Neil couldn’t have said why, but when he’d heard Lady Juliana’s voice on the other side of the kitchen door, in reply to Charlie, his chest had tightened and his heartbeat quickened. He’d been eager to see her, anticipated the look on her face when she saw the meal he’d helped the boys prepare.