Page 60 of Yours Truly, the Duke
Wyatt heard accusation in her voice and guilt settled in his gut. Fredericka was right. It was his fault the children were alone when this happened. But she was wrong too. “This could have happened if we’d been standing right beside them. Street urchins often pick on children knowing adults will hesitate to go after them and see to the children first.”
“That doesn’t excuse our neglect,” she quipped fiercely.
“No,” he responded, remaining calm. “Sometimes children get knocked down. They must always shake it off and get up. That’s how they learn to take care of themselves.”
Her golden-brown eyes darkened perceptibly. Her shoulders straightened instinctively. “No, Your Grace. Itake care of them. They are my responsibility. I should have never let you talk me into allowing them to get so far away. If Jane hears about this, there’s no telling what she might do.”
More guilt assailed Wyatt. He glanced at the surrounding crowd and didn’t see anyone he knew. “There’s no reason she should hear. No one was hurt.”
“Aren’t you at least going after him?” she asked incredulously.
“I’ll let him go.”
“Why?” Her disbelief quickly turned to anger. “He’s a thief! He pushed a little girl to the ground and could have caused serious injury.”
“If he’d hurt her, I wouldn’t have stopped until I found him. He’s just a runt, Fredericka. No doubt he was hungry and picked the easiest prey for his daily meal.”
“That doesn’t make it right,” she argued earnestly. “If you won’t go after him, I will.”
Fredericka’s display of courage was admirable, but misplaced. She started to rise, but Wyatt put his hand on her upper arm and gave a gentle squeeze, mindful of her, the children’s fear he might harm her, and the crowd who watched every movement he made.
“Don’t.” He spoke softly, wanting to settle her need to apprehend the devilish boy and punish him. “The rascal is probably starving. Stealing is how street scamps survive.”
She looked wounded by his answer. “But you didn’t even try.”
Wyatt looked deeply into her eyes, willing her to understand. He’d never been any good at explaining his intentions, his motivations, or his feelings to anyone. But for Fredericka, he’d try. “The truth is that if I had caught him, I would have probably given him some coins so hewouldn’t have to beg or steal for a few days. I’m glad Bella’s not hurt, but I can’t find it in myself to condemn a hungry boy.”
Her eyes searched his and suddenly softened as she brushed her hand down the back of Bella’s long hair. “I know, but not doing anything is rewarding wrong behavior. Children need discipline.”
A chill froze down Wyatt’s back. He’d seen more than enough of it at Eton and wouldn’t apologize for wanting to help a forgotten, lonely boy. He was always trying to make up for not doing more when he was at the boarding school, and he wouldn’t apologize for that either.
“He was no older than Elise and it’s probably not his fault he’s living on the streets and having to rob little girls to have enough to eat.”
“I didn’t know he was hungry,” Bella said, softly. “I would have shared with him but didn’t want him to take it all.”
“I-I’ll share m-mine with you,” Charles offered, holding his treat out to his sister.
“No need for that.” Wyatt reached into his pockets and pulled out more coins. He looked at Elise and smiled as he handed them to her. “Buy enough to share with Miss Litchfield.”
Elise glanced at the money with glistening eyes and looked at Wyatt. “You trust me with this after what happened?” she asked timidly.
“It wasn’t your fault. You took good care of your sister and helped her sit up before I got here. I’m proud of you.”
Wyatt glanced at Fredericka. Her face was drawn with worry. A wave of protective instinct surged inside him. What he’d hoped would be a pleasurable afternoon to help her had gone wrong. He could have made thingsworse with Jane. Was his father right and there was no pleasing a wife?
Wyatt swallowed hard.
“It’s time to get the children home,” he told Fredericka softly.
He picked up Bella and secured her in his arms. Looking down at Fredericka, he gave her a reassuring smile. “You stay while Elise gets the sweet cakes so everyone will know she’s not alone. I’ll get this little one and Charles settled into the landau and have the driver watch out for them while I come back for you.”
CHAPTER 16
THE WALL-FLOWER
—DELTA
Of boyhood’s thoughtless glee,
