The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(106)

“You have my word,” Lady Pierrepont said. “All I am interested in is the child.”

“I’ll go fetch him, shall I?” Walker asked.

“Yes, if you would.” Charlotte took the cup of tea her sister handed her. “We will have a better idea after you’ve spoken to him. Perhaps you can tell him about his parents and the rest of your family.”

“Yes, of course.” The woman accepted a cup and plate of biscuits from Louisa.

“You should know,” Dotty said, “Charlotte found him in what is called a ‘kid ken,’ a place where young children are trained to be thieves.”

The woman’s hand went to her throat just like her mother’s had. “How long ago?”

“Only about three months.” Charlotte’s throat tightened and she sipped her tea. “He has been taking lessons with my brothers and sisters, and learning quickly.” She sought to reassure Jemmy’s aunt. It would not do for the family to reject him. “He has one of the best hearts I’ve seen in a person.”

“Thank-thank”—Lady Pierrepont’s voice broke as she blotted her eyes with the linen—“thank you for rescuing him. I cannot imagine how horrible that must have been.”

A knock came on the door, and Walker entered, holding Jemmy’s hand. He was chattering and grinning. Mary, Theo, and Phillip trailed in behind them.

“He is the image of my brother.” Lady Pierrepont gasped. “Jemmy, will you come here, please?”

He glanced at Walker, who nodded.

He moved slowly to her as if he was a little afraid. Once he reached her, he made his bow. “Good afternoon.”

“Who is she?” Theo asked in a loud whisper.

Louisa pulled Theo to the sofa and whispered something Charlotte couldn’t hear.

Lady Pierrepont started to reach out to Jemmy but must have thought better of it and placed her hands in her lap. “I am Amelia Pierrepont, your aunt. I believe Jemmy is short for James. You would have been about four when you went missing. Do you remember anything about your parents at all?”

He shook his head. “No, ma’am.”

She took out a locket and opened it. “This gentleman and lady are your parents. They died two years ago. You look just like your father did at your age.”

Jemmy took the locket and sat on the floor, staring at it. Finally he looked up at his aunt. “Are you going to take me away?”

“If you will let me,” she said gently. “You have a very large family who have been looking for you for a very long time.” She took a miniature out of her reticule. “This was made when your father was about six years old.”

Mary, Theo, and Phillip crowded around him, looking from Jemmy to the portrait and back again.

“He does look like you,” Mary commented.

“If you want him to live with you,” Theo said, “you have to love him as much as we do.”

“And promise to be nice to him,” Phillip added.

Lady Pierrepont crossed her heart. “I am true blue and will never stain. I promise we will all love him and no one will ever harm him.”

Mary placed her hand on Jemmy’s shoulder. “You could try it for a little while, I suppose.”

“We’ll come get you if you don’t like it.” Theo glanced over her shoulder at Louisa. “Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, sweetie, it is.”

The door opened, and Constantine, Merton, and Rothwell strode into the parlor, making the room seem much smaller than before.

Constantine put his arm around Charlotte, then glanced at Lady Pierrepont. “What is this I hear about Jemmy’s family finding him?”

“I’ll tell you how it came about later, but yes,” she whispered. “Lady Pierrepont is Lady Litchfield’s daughter, and Jemmy’s aunt. His family name is Mooring. She would like to take him to meet his aunts, uncles, and cousins.”

Constantine studied Jemmy for a few moments. “You know, I always thought there was something familiar about him. I went to school with a Lord James Mooring.”

“He is apparently Jemmy’s father.”

Mary tugged on Con’s jacket. “They want to take him to meet his family.”

Recalling her manners, Charlotte said, “My lady, allow me to introduce you to my betrothed, the Marquis of Kenilworth. The gentleman next to her grace is my brother, the Duke of Rothwell, and the other gentleman is my cousin, the Marquis of Merton.”

Jemmy’s aunt curtseyed as the gentlemen bowed.

“I know you ladies are busy,” Constantine said. “But we are at loose ends for the moment. Why don’t we accompany Lady Pierrepont and Jemmy to meet his family?” Merton and Rothwell inclined their heads. “If you do not mind, of course.”

Charlotte would have liked to be present when the meeting took place, but Constantine was right. It should be done sooner rather than later, and tomorrow was their wedding, even if he did not know about that part. And, after all, she could trust him to ensure Jemmy wasn’t forced to do anything he didn’t like.

She looked at Dotty and Louisa. Both of them gave almost imperceptible nods. “That is an excellent idea.”

“Lady Pierrepont?” Constantine asked.

“I have no objection to anything that will make the meeting easier.” The lady set her cup down and rose.