A Lady of Persuasion (The Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy #3)(23)

“Underfed, most likely. Climbing boys have to be thin, or they won’t fit up the flues.”

“Up the flues? What ever do you mean, up the flues?”

“I suppose they don’t burn coal in the West Indies?”

She shook her head.

“Well, these boys, they climb up the chimneys with brushes to remove the soot. The flues are narrow and often clogged, so it’s dangerous work. This one must have suffered some burns.”

Bel noted the bandages on the boy’s forearms, and on his elbows above them, gnarled calluses with the texture of gravel. Observing the old, yellowed bruise on the child’s jaw, she whispered, “Not only burned, but beaten too.” She shut her eyes, imagining the horror of being wedged into a soot-clogged chimney two bricks wide. “And when he is healed, he will be released again to his employers? Only to be injured again, or maimed or killed? Can nothing be done?”

“There’s a society, with a ridiculously long name, devoted to replacing the climbing boys with modern machinery. My sister Augusta is a member, but thus far I think they have met with little success. Climbing boys are the traditional method of cleaning flues, and we English do cling to our traditions.”

“Traditions.” Bel spat the word. “Abominations, more like.”

“Shhh.” Toby tilted his head toward the boy, who stirred in his sleep. “You’ll wake him.”

Bel pressed her lips together, fuming in silence.

He stared at her for a moment, then leaned toward her across the bed. “Do you know,” he whispered, “that you’re uncommonly beautiful when you’re angry?”

Bel sniffed. What a time for trite compliments. “I’m not angry.”

“Ah, but you admit to being beautiful. Very good.”

“That’s not what I meant!” Cringing, she lowered her voice. “I do not admit to being beautiful, either.” Possessed of a provocative figure, perhaps. But not beautiful.

“Come now. If you will not admit to beauty, I must accuse you of dishonesty.”

“I am not dis—” She frowned and narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you teasing me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“You’ve gone so serious again. It’s as though the misery of the world settles on your shoulders. If I don’t tease you, I shall have to kiss you.” He flashed her a sly grin. “And we don’t want to shock the children.”

Bel’s pulse raced. It was appalling, that he could even think of kissing in a place like this. Worse, now she was thinking of it too. How his lips had felt against hers last night, the flavor of brandy in his kiss. How would he taste if he kissed her this morning? Not of brandy, surely. What a man she meant to marry—by turns insufferably vain and appallingly shallow, but so charming through it all. And so attractive … She’d been disappointed in his vanity earlier, but now Bel gave thanks for Toby’s flawed character. She might be plagued by desire for him, but at least she would be in no danger of falling in love.

“How is it you thought to bring me here?” she asked. “Surely most gentlemen don’t make it a habit to visit the children’s dispensary.”

“To be perfectly honest, it’s not at all a habit for me. I’m a governor of the facility by virtue of a ten-guinea donation, but I’ve only been here twice and I never attend the meetings. It’s actually my—”

“What is going on here?”

The double doors of the ward flung open. A hush smothered the room. Somewhere, a spoon clattered to the floor.

Bel looked up to see an elegant matron silhouetted in the door. High cheekbones lifted a face creased from decades of smiles, and her brows were thin, graceful sweeps. Her moss-green gown was exquisitely tailored, yet simple in style and topped by a dark-gray cloak and a mantle of extreme self-possession. Even the swish of her garments bespoke confidence as she strode forward to stand at the foot of the bed.

“Sir Tobias Aldridge,” she addressed him sternly. “Would you care to explain yourself?”

“Of course,” he said smoothly, rising to his feet. Bel followed suit, shaking out her skirt as she stood. “But first, allow me to make the introductions. May I present Miss Isabel Grayson?

Isabel, this is Lydia, Lady Aldridge. My mother.”

Numb with surprise, Bel made an inelegant curtsy. His mother! Well, of course she supposed she’d be meeting his family soon, but she’d expected to be prepared for the occasion. Did Lady Aldridge have any idea of their engagement? She didn’t seem to, judging by the brief, indifferent glance she spared Bel.

“Mother compensates for my inattention as governor,” Toby explained. “She comes here every Thursday, when she is in Town.”

Bel looked from mother to son. Had this meeting been his entire design in bringing her here?

“I’m delighted to make your acquaintance, Lady Aldridge.”

Toby reached across the bed and grasped her hand. “Mother, Isabel and I are engaged. We’re going to marry in June.”

Around them, the children burst into whistles and applause. Bel looked to Lady Aldridge, steeling herself against an outpouring of displeasure.

Lady Aldridge fixed her son with a look of mock reproach. “Toby. You really are impossible.”

She turned to Bel, eyeing the empty dish in her hand and the sated child sleeping in the bed.