Page 66 of The Runaway Duchess
“That is wonderful news,” he agreed, scanning through the letter.
“I was thinking of arranging something else for the children as well,” Caroline said timidly.
Damien gave her an encouraging look, urging her to continue.
“The children at the orphanage, they have only received clothes through donations. We did the best we could with what we were given, but most of the clothes were worn and did not always fit them well. Winter is coming soon, and I thought I could send a tailor and modiste to them. Someone better than Mrs. Parks, to take their measurements and make them some brand new coats and winter clothes.”
God, this woman truly is an angel,Damien quietly marveled.
“I think that is a brilliant idea,” he replied. “You have access to my accounts. Use whatever you need.”
Caroline’s answering smile took his breath away. “You would really let me use whatever I need?”
Literally whatever you need. You want to give them this house? Do it. My home in the country? It is theirs. My heart? Take it.
“Of course,” he said instead. “I want the best for the orphanage as well.”
“No! Please do not send me back there. I do not want to go back to the orphanage.”
The heart-wrenching plea from George had Damien jolting out of his thoughts, and he and Caroline both turned to look at him. The look of terror on his face was apparent and awful, and he and Caroline both reached for him.
“Oh, my sweet boy,” Caroline cooed, reaching him first. “No, no, we are not talking about that. We wouldneversend you back.”
George sniffled and trembled as he curled into Caroline’s lap, clutching at her arms tightly.
“I swear it,” Damien vowed, reaching out to ruffle the boy’s hair. “We were not talking about the orphanage you came from. Your Cece is helping a different orphanage take better care of their children, that is what we were discussing.”
George’s tear-filled brown eyes lifted to Damien’s, and the man felt his heart break for the child. What had he gone through that had left him so very terrified?
“You promise?” George whispered.
Damien nodded gravely.
“On my soul, young man. On my soul,” he swore.
Then, to his shock and everyone else’s, George uncurled himself from Caroline’s embrace and settled himself into Damien’s lap. He looked to Caroline in shock as his throat grew thick withemotion, and he found her giving him an encouraging look and sweet smile. Before he could think twice about what to do, Damien curled his arms around the boy and held him tightly.
He was not sure how long they stayed like that. Long enough for George’s trembling to stop. Long enough for him to realize that he had stopped caring whether George was his son or not.
Chapter 23
“Aww, the little lad is asleep,” Jeremy whispered.
Damien gently pressed his palm to George’s back and saw him taking slow, deep breaths. He had no idea how much time had passed since he had let the boy rest his head on his shoulder and snuggle into his chest, but he had never once thought about putting him down. He had never held a child like this before. Yet when George came to him, a deep urge to protect and soothe took over, and he sat there quietly.
Finally, he lifted his eyes, searching for Caroline. He saw her staring at him, looking as if she was about to dissolve into tears at any moment. He wondered what he had done to make her so upset, but then a slow, affectionate smile spread across her lips, and he realized they were not tears of sadness but of joy.
“What do I do now?” he whispered.
Caroline let out a soft laugh as she sniffled and brushed a stray tear from her cheek.
“Lay him down on his back on the blanket here,” she said, patting the spot beside her. “Gently. Mind his head. Yes, that isthe way.”
Damien fought the panic rising in him as he lay the boy down, worried that he was not moving slowly or gently enough. He cradled George’s head even after he had him laid down, as if just the scant space between his hand and the blanket could hurt him. Eventually, though, he managed to pull his hand away and took a long look down at the sleeping child.
“He has had quite the day,” Jeremy whispered.
“He certainly has,” Caroline agreed, gently stroking a strand of George’s brown hair away from his forehead.
