My Lord Eternity (Immortal Rogues #2)(14)

He was so intent upon his vigilant guard that he nearly stumbled over Miss Kingly when she came to an abrupt halt before a tumble down building.

"An empty warehouse?" he demanded in puzzlement.

"It is not empty." She headed toward a narrow door. "Come, but be on your guard."

He smiled ruefully at her warning. "I am always on my guard, my dove."

Coming to the door, Miss Kingly knocked sharply upon the splintering wood. From within, a muffled voice could be heard.

"Who passes?"

"It is Miss Kingly."

There was a moment of silence. "Do you know the password?"

"Thomas," Miss Kingly retorted in stern tones.

"Sorry, that ain't be it."

"Thomas, open this door at once."

With ready speed the door was pulled open to reveal an urchin with a round, dirty face and clothes far too large for his slender frame.

"Just be having a bit of fun, Miss Kingly," he said with a roguish grin.

"Mmm. I have a good mind to give your peach tart to another."

The lad did not appear particularly concerned by the threat. Indeed, his grin only widened.

"Now, you know I be yer favorite, Miss Kingly."

The maiden gave a chiding click of her tongue, but there was no mistaking the glint of amusement in her eyes.

"You are a scamp."

"Aye, but an adorable scamp."

Miss Kingly chuckled as she reached into the basket she carried to remove a small bag.

"Are there any injuries?"

"Freddie was roughed up a bit last night," the lad answered, his grin fading.

"Where is he?"

"In the corner."

"Here." Miss Kingly handed the basket to the boy. "Feed the youngest first."

"Aye, Captain," the urchin readily agreed, turning about to hurry from the door.

At the maiden's side Lucien stepped into the dirty, shadowed interior of the warehouse. He briefly halted as the smell of sewage and rotting food threatened to overwhelm his heightened senses. Great Nefri, but the place was a cesspit.

A fierce urge to grasp Miss Kingly in his arms and take her from this awful place rippled through him. No maiden should be exposed to such wretched surroundings. But even as the thought was running through his mind, his gaze caught sight of the mass of children huddled around Thomas and the basket of food.

There were at least twenty of them, ranging in age from sixteen to a few who could not be more than five. His heart faltered at the knowledge that they had been thrown onto the streets as if they were no more than garbage.

It was little wonder that Miss Kingly found it impossible to turn her back on such misery, he thought, turning his head to watch the maiden as she moved toward a small form huddled in a distant corner.

It seemed impossible to believe that any creature with any heart at all could allow such misery to exist.

Uncertain whether to join Miss Kingly and risk frightening the injured child, Lucien was halted as a small hand suddenly clutched his fingers.

Glancing down, he was instantly enchanted by the tiny girl with a heart-shaped face and large brown eyes that were regarding him with absolute trust. With great care not to startle the child, he settled his tall length onto a dusty barrel, indifferent to the knowledge his breeches would be ruined.

She regarded him in silence before calmly climbing onto his lap and polishing off the peach tart she held in her grimy fingers. Lucien instinctively cuddled her close, thoroughly caught off guard by the warm glow that entered his heart at the sensation of her tiny form settling against his chest.

He was uncertain how long they sat there in silence, but sensing someone watching him, Lucien lifted his head to discover Miss Kingly regarding him in surprise.

"Are you finished here?" he asked in low tones.

She gave a slow nod of her head. "Yes."

Gently running his hand over the girl's tangled locks, he reluctantly set her onto her feet and watched as she hurried toward the other children. Only then did he rise to his feet and fall into step beside Miss Kingly as she made her way back to the door and out into the street.

Realizing that she was still regarding him with puzzled surprise, he abruptly came to a halt and met her gaze squarely.

"What is it?"

"Annie."

It took a moment to work out that she was referring to the child he had held on his lap.

"Is that her name? A charming minx."

"She is very wary of adults. Indeed, I have never been allowed even to come close to her,"

the maiden confessed.

Lucien smiled at her puzzlement. Obviously she did not consider him the sort of gentleman who would naturally be good with children.

"Perhaps she was felled by my charm," he teased lightly. "Females find it quite irresistible, you know."

A reluctant smile curved her lips. "Whatever the reason, I am grateful you coaxed her into eating her dinner. Although the older children do their best, she is easily overlooked."

Lucien reached up to tenderly cup her chin. "It is no hardship to be kind to children."

A faint tremor raced through her at his touch, and his heart quickened as she reached out to tongue and moisten her lips.

"I wish that all shared your sentiment. There are so many I cannot reach."