A Rose for Laura by Callie Hutton
10
Two days after the orphans and their caretakers had invaded his house, Keniel stepped from his carriage and looked up at the townhouse in front of him. This was the third one he'd visited since the group had settled into his home. Hopefully, the last.
It certainly looked promising from the outside. The neighborhood was acceptable, and Mr. Chad Murray, who owned the property, had assured him the night before when he'd given him the direction that it was habitable, having been occupied by his deceased mother until a month before.
He got a good feeling as soon as he opened the door. No dead animals hiding in corners, no odd odors, and no spider webs. It was somewhat dusty, but that was to be expected.
It didn't take long for him to survey the entire residence, and with uplifted spirits, he locked up and bounded down the steps to his carriage. He checked his timepiece. Barely past eleven. Hopefully not too early to call on Laura.
He smiled to himself as he tapped the ceiling of the carriage and it moved forward. Miss Laura Benson had granted him permission to escort her to the theater. He had no expectations about where it would lead, but he enjoyed her company, and it was high time he had some social life.
All he'd done since he'd arrived in London was work. As much as he enjoyed the job and was grateful for having found his brothers and their acceptance of him, a man needed more. Not one to carouse with those who enjoyed drinking, gambling, and brothels, he spent his time off visiting all the famous tourist spots he'd read about in school. It was interesting, but lonely. How nice it would be to attend some of these events with a pretty woman on his arm.
"I will check to see if Miss Benson is accepting visitors." The man at the door to the Benson townhouse gave him a curt bow. "If you wait in the drawing room, sir."
He paced the room as he waited. The short time the orphans had been in his home had not been a problem. He generally slept until eleven or so, had no more than a cup of coffee before washing, dressing and leaving for the club. After breakfast in the dining room at the club, he dealt with problems that had arisen the night before, made sure a thorough cleaning was done, and everything was ready for the night's activities.
Dante and Driscoll, wanting to spend time with their wives, generally didn't appear until a couple of hours close to opening time.
Keniel came to an abrupt stop as the man at the door returned. "Mr. Singh, Miss Benson will join you shortly."
"Thank you."
"Miss Benson has ordered tea, which will arrive soon."
"Thank you again." He continued to pace, not being the sort of man who could just sit around waiting for things to happen. Nervous energy Muma had called it. Now that he knew who his father was and saw his brothers' personalities and behaviors, he was quite certain it was from his sire that this part of his personality came.
Muma had the typical Jamaican demeanor. Quiet, pensive, and with no need to hop up and down as he had. She did her painting and spent her time not involved with her art wandering the beach and visiting with friends.
Laura and the tea cart arrived at the same time. She sailed into the room and it was as if the sun had come out from behind the clouds. Slow down, man. She agreed to allow you to escort her to one event. Don't get crazy ideas in your head.
She extended her hands. "Good morning. I am hoping you've come with good news?"
He took her hands, loving the soft feel of them and the vague scent of lavender that always surrounded her. "Good morning to you, as well. And yes, I believe I have good news."
She clapped her hands. "Wonderful. Let's have tea first and then you can tell me all about it."
They settled alongside each other on a settee facing a large window overlooking a garden. The summer flowers had begun to wilt, but sturdy autumn blooms kept the garden looking colorful.
Keniel watched as she poured the tea and filled a plate with two small sandwiches and a biscuit. She handed it to him and continued to fix her own tea. He loved watching her delicate hands as they performed the task.
"Before you share your news, how is everything at the makeshift orphans' home?" She took a sip of tea, and he studied her lips, plump and moist, almost forgetting to answer her question.
He shook his head to clear his mind of the thoughts running rampant. "Fine. I can hear occasional cries, but since I am not at home much it doesn't really matter."
She nodded. "I am so glad. We really did not want to dispossess you. I am thinking of making a visit to the little ones, if that is all right with you?"
Ah, if she only knew how much he'd like her to visit his home again. "It is not a problem at all. You may come at any time. If I am not at home, you know your way to the nursery floor."
"Yes, you do work quite a lot."
He shrugged and placed his teacup in the saucer. "It was all I had for a long time.”
Looking like a child faced with a wrapped birthday gift, she sat back and placed her hands in her lap. "So, I'm all ears to hear this good news."
He couldn't help but grin at her. "I think I may have found a new home for your orphans."
"Truly? That is indeed good news. When can I see it?"
"Now, if you wish. I have the key. Let me tell you about it before we go. Mr. Chad Murray owns the townhouse. Until a month ago, his mother who recently passed away lived there. It needs a good cleaning once all the woman's belongings are moved out."
Laura waved her hand in dismissal. "That is no problem. We can hire someone to clean." She wiped her mouth with a napkin and placed it on the table. "I am ready to go."
Startled at her eagerness, Keniel stood and held out his hand. She took it and rose. "With traffic, it is a twenty-minute or so ride from here," he said. "You should wear a cape as it's chilly."
Although she seemed to bristle at his suggestion, nevertheless, she donned a soft wool cape that matched the silly hat she placed on her head, and they left the house and entered his carriage.
It was a quiet ride with Laura following their progress by gazing out the window. That was another thing he liked about her. Most women felt the need to constantly fill the air with chatter. Whether it was part of their lady-like training, to keep conversations going, or merely a nervous habit, he found it annoying at times.
Laura seemed quite content to sit and watch the world go by. Much like Muma. Except he'd seen Laura at work and she certainly had the energy to call upon when needed.
Once the carriage came to a stop, she looked up at the building. "Is this one within our budget?"
He hesitated because it was not, but he didn't want to tell her that just yet. Hunt had visited the club the night before and indicated that he was ready to meet with Laura and outline his plans for sponsorship. That would certainly increase their budget.
"Close." He didn’t want to lie, either.
Her brows rose. "How close?"
"Close enough that I am sure it will work." Hopefully that would appease her so she didn't dismiss the townhouse outright.
Not waiting for his escort, she hurried up the steps, and then stood, tapping her foot until he joined her and opened the door with the key he'd been given.
A smile lit her face as she turned in a circle in the entrance hall. "This looks wonderful." She looked at him over her shoulder. "And it doesn't smell."
He laughed and waved down the corridor. "The library, small parlor, dining room, kitchen, pantry, and scullery are all on this floor."
She sailed past him, looking into each room and by her exclamations she was quite pleased with the house thus far. "This is perfect."
He followed her much like a puppy trailing after his master. Once she'd viewed each and every room, including the coal bin on the garden floor, she went up the back stairs to view the drawing room, sitting room, and smaller library on the first floor.
It was evident from her sighs and wide grin that she was finding everything acceptable. "The bedchambers are on the second floor?"
"Yes. And the third floor houses the nursery and the top floor the servants' quarters."
"That is excellent since eventually our infants will turn into toddlers and then to children who will need a schoolroom and activity rooms." She turned as they entered one of the bedchambers. "You are sure this will fit into our budget?"
"As I said, it is close, but I'm sure that would not be a reason not to secure it if you feel it meets your needs. More sponsors will probably step up. Plus, the last time I talked to Driscoll he said the Rose women were planning a fundraising event of some sort."
Laura covered her mouth with her hands and looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Even more exceptional news." She stepped closer and said, "I have you to thank for all of this. I believe you are my guardian angel."
Hell and damnation. He didn't want to be her angel. Guardian or otherwise. His feelings for her ran quite the opposite of an angel.
* * *
Keniel lookedat her in a strange way. A way that made her insides flutter. Like when they'd kissed. He continued to stare at her lips until her mouth dried up and her heart began to pound in her chest.
Slowly, as if to give her time to move back, he lowered his head until his lips met hers. The fluttering increased to a maelstrom in seconds. He moved his hands so they rested on her shoulders, then slid down to her upper arms and drew her in closer.
Not exactly pressed up against him, however, she was close enough to identify the light scent of bergamot and the man himself as she fell into the kiss. She'd not been surprised by his actions, since it was not the first time he'd kissed her. Hesitant at first, she soon relaxed and allowed him to edge his tongue into her mouth. A vaguely sensuous light passed between them, warming her, frightening her. He pulled back, and her insides tingled when he said her name against her lips.
She had no idea that such a simple thing as a kiss could turn her insides to mush. Thank goodness he held her arms or she might have dropped to the floor. His mouth returned to hers with more force this time. A slight moan came from one of them, she wasn't quite sure who.
Her eyes were still closed and her insides warmed when he pulled back, and she immediately felt the loss of his body. Slowly she opened her eyes and stared into his hazel ones. His eyelashes were thick and long, something a young lady would sell her sister for.
"Need I apologize?" He touched her cheek gently.
She shook her head, still feeling muddle-headed. Her reaction to him had been quite physical. More so than when she'd been kissed by other men. Not that those events had been great in numbers, bur after a few years on the marriage mart, there had been some moonlight and dark patio strolls. She tried to ignore the strange aching in her limbs and other parts of her body of which she was generally not aware.
Attempting to pull herself together and reclaim her dignity, she said, "However, I think we should continue with our tour." The words came out squeaky. With a blush rising to her cheeks, she turned and made haste from the bedchamber, which held a very large and very comfortable looking bed.
'Twas best if she put that kiss behind her and returned to business. "What of all these furnishings?" she asked as they made their way up to the nursery floor.
"I am expecting Murray to have them all removed." Keniel didn't appear as frazzled as she did. Perhaps men kissed women all the time so 'twas nothing for him. Unlike her reaction from which she was still recovering.
They perused the nursery floor, then the servants' quarters before descending the stairs. "Have you seen enough?" Keniel asked as they made their way to the front door.
"I have. If it fits into our budget then I believe the committee will approve." She stepped out of the house into a soft rain and looked up. "Rain again."
"England," he replied.
Once they were settled into the carriage, she asked, "How were you able to adjust to all this foul weather after living in sunshine your whole life?"
He shrugged. "I know this sounds strange, but one does get tired of perpetual sunshine."
"Yes," she said, "it does sound strange. I don’t believe I would ever tire of sunshine." Perhaps it was possible to grow tired of any kind of weather if it was almost all you ever had.
A few minutes passed as they remained silent with their own thoughts. The traffic had been light on their way to the house, but now with the addition of rain, they were slowed down to barely a crawl.
"You mentioned the committee approving the residence. Does that mean they must tour the place also?"
"I don’t think so, but I won't know for sure until I talk to them. We haven't had to look for new quarters before. The building we are in now has been our only home, since our orphanage is only three years old. We started with four infants, and once the home became known, more were literally dropped on our doorstep. Since we weren’t prepared to keep them beyond two years or so since we didn't have the funds to hire a teacher, once they reached toddler stage, they were moved to another orphanage."
He leaned back in the seat and crossed his legs. It seemed to Laura that he was genuinely interested, not just passing the time during the carriage ride. "How did the initial four end up in your care?"
"I am friends with Mrs. Danby, a woman who is the headmistress of another orphanage." Feeling she should explain the connection, she said, "We both belong to the same Suffragette organization."
His only response was a smile and a nod, his eyes full of mirth.
"She approached me and asked if I would be interested in helping her find a suitable caretaker for the children under her care." She grabbed the strap alongside her head as the carriage hit a gouge in the road.
"At the time I had just finished securing a companion for Lady Berkshire, and I guess word had spread and Mrs. Danby approached me."
"You are quite a busy lady. A member of the Suffragette movement, a member of a committee running an orphanage, and also a finder of difficult to secure employees." He shook his head. "You are truly a marvel, Miss Benson, and I mean that sincerely."
She found herself blushing again at his words. Why did this man's approval affect her so? She quickly quelled the little voice inside her head who was offering an unsolicited answer. No. She was not ready for that. They were merely friends. Perhaps theater-goer friends because Keniel was lonely and worked too much.
And she. . . .
Nothing more. Hush, voice.