Page 99 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

“That sounds ... pleasant.”

Charlotte turned to his aunt. “Lady Derringer? Would you like to come?”

“No thank you, my dear. I believe I have a headache coming on.”

When Charlotte turned to go, his aunt gave him a stern look, then a wink.

Lady Derringer was incorrigible. But at least she was discreet.

“We shall come by in half an hour.” Charlotte gazed up at him.

“I shall be ready.”

Just like the day before, William ended up carrying little Joshua most of the way home from the park.

He was hard-pressed not to laugh as he watched Charlotte Robbins fending off the many questions the children asked her and making sure they stayed close to her and Gretchen. Joshua had his splint taken off that morning, now that his arm was declared healed, which had seemed to give him more energy, more daring, and made him express himself more loudly. In short, he ran around as if he’d just been released from prison.

Not much instruction in the art of pall mall was given, but the children seemed to enjoy hitting the ball for a while, then startedrunning around in circles, chasing one another and laughing. He occupied himself with watching them—and watching Miss Robbins.

And when Joshua especially had exhausted himself, William picked him up and carried him home, the other three children walking much slower than before.

Perhaps it was due to the presence of the children, but no one seemed to recognize him. He actually made it to and from the park without anyone trying to speak to him.

He helped Charlotte get the children into the house, and when Samuel, Annabelle, and Sarah all ran up to the playroom and when Joshua still didn’t move, William realized he had fallen asleep on his shoulder.

Charlotte smiled. “I’ll take him.”

“I can put him to bed if you show me the way.”

Charlotte nodded and led him to a bedroom upstairs with two little beds side by side. He laid Joshua in the first one, surprised he didn’t wake up, and Charlotte covered him with the blanket. Before they could leave the room, Sarah came in and kissed her brother on the cheek.

Charlotte closed the door quietly and whispered, “They each have their own bed, but they sleep curled up together like kittens.” She smiled, and he thought she’d never looked more beautiful.

As they walked down the stairs, she said, “Thank you. I’m sorry you ended up having to carry Joshua.”

“I didn’t mind. It reminds me of when Annabelle and Samuel were younger.”

Charlotte had such a sweet look. He wanted to pull her into his arms and—

“Miss Robbins!” Sarah ran down the stairs toward them.

She pressed her finger to her lips. “What is it?”

Sarah began chattering about how the footman had promised to make Joshua a slingshot, if Miss Robbins allowed it. “But isn’t that dangerous?”

“We shall talk about it later. We must not be rude to our guest, Lord Brookhaven.”

Sarah looked at William, and he winked at her. “Not to worry. I’ll see Miss Robbins tomorrow.”

“Yes, tomorrow.” She smiled, but her eyes looked rather tired as well.

If she was his wife, he would kiss her cheek and tell her he’d attend to everything while she went to rest.

“Miss Robbins.” The housekeeper hurried toward them. “The landlord’s steward is here to see you. He says it’s urgent.”

“Oh.” She looked at him.

“Shall I stay and see what he wants?”