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"This way, then" Toby led theht of stairs and down a narrow corridor A variety of unpleasant scents battled for proed into a narroard lined with small beds on either side In each bed lay a pale-faced, wide-eyed waif, frozen in an unnatural attitude of innocence They wore the s expressions of children interrupted in the a it

At Toby’s direction, the servant began opening the ha his hands "All right, children Tiroans rose up from the beds A thin voice protested, "We already had our medicine!"

"Ah, yes But this is a different medicine Especially ordered by your new nurse, Miss Grayson" He turned to Bel and gave her a frown that she ierated mirror of her own expression "Don’t worry, I know she looks stern But I promise, she’s soft as kittens inside" He went to the hamper and pushed aside a layer of straw, then a sheet of waxed parchlistened like jewels Toby lifted out two frosted glass dishes and held them out to Bel "Here," he whispered "Enjoy yourself"

Ient needs hefood, real medicine But just like the children, he looked so pleased with his own , she took the ices fro her a little wink A correspondingly girlish thrill swept through her Turning, he called to the roo claood quarter hour, as the ices were distributed and deer children Bel seated herself at the bedside of a spindly-li him spoonfuls of apricot-flavored ice The rapturous expression on his face war on the other side of the boy’s bed "Well? Are you enjoying yourself?"

"You know I am Thank you"

"This ward houses the children who are nearly ready to be released Perhaps next time we’ll visit some of the truly miserable ones You’ll be in perfect ecstasy, I predict"

Bel looked back at the bandaged child He had fallen asleep, a cherubic sed nine, ward of Charlesbridge-Crewe Chimney Sweeps," she read froed nine? Why, he looks noboys 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 reed, so it’s dangerous work This one es on the boy’s forearnarled 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, ied chimney two bricks wide "And when he is healed, he will be released again to his eain, orbe done?"

"There’s a society, with a ridiculously long na boys with usta is a member, but thus far I think they haveboys are the traditionalto 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 hi in silence

He stared at her for a moment, then leaned toward her across the bed "Do you know," he whispered, "that you’re uncory?"

Bel sniffed What a tiry"

"Ah, but you adood"

"That’s not what I , she lowered her voice "I do not ad 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 hione 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 Hoould he taste if he kissed her this ? Not of brandy, surely What a man she ly shallow, but so charh it all And so attractive … She’d been disappointed in his vanity earlier, but now Bel gave thanks for Toby’s flawed character She ued by desire for hi in love

"How is it you thought to bring entlemen don’t make it a habit to visit the children’s dispensary"

"To be perfectly honest, it’s not at all a habit for uinea donation, but I’ve only been here twice and I never attend theon 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 h cheekbones lifted a face creased froraceful sweeps Her oas exquisitely tailored, yet siray cloak and a arments 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?"