A Rose for Laura by Callie Hutton

16

Chaos reigned as ten babies, their furniture, clothing, and nappies, along with two caretakers and three committee members began to move into the newly obtained, and clean, permanent orphanage residence in a better neighborhood.

As promised, Keniel had his two friends at the ready before Laura had even arrived at his home. Soon after, Marjorie and Christine appeared, having ridden together in the same carriage. The women's excitement was palpable.

"I will be so glad to have this all settled—permanently," Laura said as they made their way to the nursery floor.

"And in such a nice place," Marjorie said. "I can't believe Mr. Murray lowered the rent for us."

"You see, ladies, men who patronize gambling halls are not all bad," Laura added. A lesson she was slowing learning after spending time with Keniel, his brothers, and now Mr. Murray. She had also received, via messenger, the papers from Lord Hereford on what his sponsorship would entail.

Thanks to Keniel, they had sufficient funds to not only maintain a safe home for the babies, but to take on older children since the orphanage Mrs. Danby ran needed additional space. They had two new sponsors, Lord Hereford and Hunt, and Mr. Everson who had shown interest at the dinner at Hunt's house. He'd sent a missive that he was still considering sponsorship, but other matters had to take precedence. He promised to be in touch within another month.

The caretakers had done a good job of packing everything into barrels, and the men had begun to carry down the cribs and other pieces of furniture to the wagon Keniel had secured for the move.

At the present time, the babies were the main consideration. Like before, they had to be transported in carriages. Five babies and one caretaker left Keniel's home and headed to the new residence, while the other babies and caretaker awaited their turn.

Some of the babies were in a dither. Fussy, cranky, and out of sorts with all the activity. Hopefully, the first load of cribs which had left well before the carriage with the babies, would be ready to receive the little ones.

It amused her how the personalities of the babies were so different. A few wailed their little hearts out, others lay just staring at the activity, and several behaved as though nothing out of the ordinary was going on, playing with their toes, and sucking on their fingers.

Keniel entered the nursery, sweat lining his forehead. "Things are going well." He looked around the room. "As soon as the carriage transporting the first group of babies returns, we can pack the last of them off and then the men can move the cribs out."

"To make things easier, why don't we take the babies out of the cribs now. They can play on the floor once I spread a blanket down. That way, if the men are free now, they can begin moving the rest of the cribs and furniture out."

"Good idea." Keniel joined the men and after a brief conversation, they headed to the first crib. Christine, Laura and Mrs. Johnson began to move the babies out of their cribs and onto the floor.

Once the last of the little ones and their furniture had been moved out and on their way to the new house, Laura took one last look around the rooms they'd used for the past few weeks to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything.

"Fond memories?" Keniel said as he walked up behind her. "Of the night we handled ten babies not knowing what the devil we were doing?"

She turned, his voice having startled her. "What are you doing here? I thought you went off with the last of the furniture?"

He placed his hands behind his back and rocked back on his heels. "And if I did, Miss Benson? How would you get to the new house?"

"Oh."

"Yes. Oh. You offered the use of your carriage to transport the last of the babies and Mrs. Johnson. Miss Fenwick and Miss McFinn just left in Miss Fenwick's carriage."

She offered him a short dip. "Then I am happy to have you as my knight in shining armor." She grew serious and took his hand in hers. "Really, Keniel, you have rescued me in more ways than one."

Laura almost laughed at how uncomfortable he looked with her praise. "It was my pleasure."

For an instant she thought he would kiss her again, but the moment was lost when Mrs. Evans entered the nursery. "All moved out, I see," she said.

They both jumped, which proved to Laura he'd been thinking the same thing. "Yes, Mrs. Evans," Laura said, "it looks like we are finished here. I will be happy to have someone come in and clean."

The woman placed her hands at her waist and shook her head. "No. That is not necessary, Miss Benson. Mr. Singh was kind enough to allow me to hire additional help while the babies were here, so we can have this put to rights in no time at all."

"Well, I guess that leaves us with nothing more to do here." Laura turned to Keniel. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, your carriage awaits you." He gave a formal bow and swept his arm in the direction of the door.

The ride to the new residence took only fifteen minutes, the traffic being lighter this time of the day. They both kept to their own thoughts as Laura looked out the window and they made their way past houses, shops, and a small park.

The carriage came to a stop and Keniel hopped out and helped Laura descend the short steps. She looked up at the building and took a deep breath. This would be so much better. She must send a missive to Mrs. Danby and tell her they would soon be in a position to accept a few older children and hire another caretaker and, thanks to the generosity of her new sponsors, a governess as well.

"You look quite pleased with yourself," Keniel said as he took her elbow to escort her up the steps. "Like the cat who stole the last of the cream."

"Yes. I rather feel that way, actually."

* * *

With the move finished,and Mrs. Evans’ assurance that all would be back to normal when he returned home, Keniel pitched in and helped the men set up and arrange the furniture while the ladies dealt with the children.

Now was not the time to consider him and Laura. If there was a him and Laura. But for some reason the thought kept invading his mind as he worked.

She appeared to have no qualms about kissing him or having him escort her to ton events. Not as attuned to slights and comments as he was, she wasn't aware of some of the looks and slurs they'd received at the soiree.

He'd managed to secure tickets to the theater and, once this day was over, he intended to ask her again if she would attend with him as she'd indicated before she would.

"Where is Peter?" Mrs. Johnson said, looking around one of the bedchambers they'd designated for the babies on the second floor.

"Is this the room he was brought to?" Laura asked, also looking around.

"Yes. And he was here just a few minutes ago."

Keniel raised his hands, anticipating the hysteria that would soon follow. "If the child was brought here, he cannot be far. I will do a search while you give the room a good looking over."

He strode from the room, checked the second bedchamber assigned to the babies, and did a head count. Five babies. He wasn't sure who Peter was—they all looked alike to him—but he knew each room was to hold five.

He checked the other bedchambers on the floor. All empty. Of course, there was no way a baby could open and close doors. He returned to where Laura and Mrs. Johnson were.

"Did you find him?" Mrs. Johnson asked as she fastened a nappy on one of the babies.

"No. I suggest we give this room a thorough going over again."

The three adults searched the room. Within seconds it seemed, Laura said, "I found him."

She bent and scooped up a little boy underneath a wardrobe, fast asleep. "I don't know why we didn't see him when we looked over here before." She carefully placed him in a crib and took a deep breath. "But then I didn't check under the wardrobe."

"It's the crawling, miss," Mrs. Johnson said. "Once they start to crawl, they end up in the most unlikely places. Then take it upon themselves to crawl somewhere else." She picked up the baby she'd been dressing and put him in a crib. "I wouldn't have been so concerned," she added, "if we hadn't just moved from another building. Everything is new and strange to them too, poor little ones."

The day moved on with all of them busy. Keniel left for a brief time to purchase lunch for them all as a take-away. Laura and the other two committee members set the food up on the scarred dining table they'd moved into the house from Keniel's home.

An hour later, he and Laura were the only two left at the table once they'd finished lunch. The men who had helped move everything took their leave after eating as did Miss Fenwick and Miss McFinn. Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Baker were back upstairs tending to the babies. Things were blessedly quiet.

"I have managed to obtain tickets to Lady Windermere's Fan. If you recall, last week we spoke about attending that Oscar Wilde play."

Laura perked up and smiled. "Yes. I remember. I assume since you're telling me this, you wish me to attend with you?"

"Absolutely. It was why I secured the tickets to begin with."

She clapped her hands. "Wonderful. I am looking forward to it. What is the date?"

Keniel reached into his pocket where the tickets had rested since he'd received them in the post two days before. "Friday, 14 October."

"That sounds perfect, but even if I've already accepted an invitation to another event, I will send a note of apology." She paused for a moment. "Actually, do you know if Driscoll will be back to work by then?"

"It doesn't signify. I deserve a night off and you do as well. But I'm certain Driscoll will want to resume his duties before then."

"How are Amelia and the baby faring? Have you spoken with him?"

"No." He shook his head. "I haven't, but Hunt visited them two nights ago and when he stopped into the club last night he said they were all doing fine. Driscoll is even learning how to change a nappy."

"I didn't know Hunt visited last night. Sometimes I feel quite isolated in the office. But then, were I allowed to visit the gaming floor. . ."

"No."

"Maybe when—"

"No."

"You can at least listen to me."

"No."

"Can you say anything except no?"

"No."

When she opened her mouth to say something else, he leaned in and covered her mouth with his.

Perfect.

He gathered her into his arms, confident that the caretakers were busy with the babies and all the others had left. No one to intrude upon them this time. Except this attraction and where it seemed to be leading was perilous.

What are you thinking? This is indeed dangerous territory.

Ignoring the voice in his head giving a very smart warning, he nudged her lips with his tongue and swept in, touching all the soft, moist sensitive places. She tasted of sweet tea and mint.

He moved his hand around her body and cupped her breast. He held his breath until she let out with a soft moan which encouraged him to continue. His thumb swiped her nipple which immediately hardened.

His heart raced, in tandem with hers right through their clothes, so close together were their bodies. His lips left hers to nibble on her ear. "Tell me to stop."

Laura shook her head, which terrified him. There might only be the caretakers in the house, but either of them could come down at any time to use the kitchen.

He'd kissed plenty of women in his life, but no woman ever affected him this way. She was not one to have a fast tumble with and go their separate ways. Were she to honor him enough to allow him to take her to his bed it would be with his ring on her finger.

Which was impossible.

Therefore, he pulled back. "I think it is time for me to escort you home."

She looked at him with great disappointment, her sweet little tongue running around her moist lips. He groaned and stood. And then sat back down until his body could re-claim its dignity.

"We cannot keep this up, Laura. We are not destined to be together." He hated uttering those words, but it was important that neither of them expected permanency.

She sniffed and raised her chin. "I disagree, but since I don't believe you are in a frame of mind to argue the point at present, I will merely ask you to call for your carriage."

He felt her anger and frustration. But she was correct. He was not in the right frame of mind after that kiss to have an intelligent discussion on why they needed to be careful. All he wanted to do was grab her hand and find the nearest vicar.

Feeling sufficiently composed, he stood and extended his hand. "Come."

They made their way out the door and down the steps where his carriage stood ready. She turned as she entered the vehicle. "You don't have to escort me. I will be fine."

Ignoring her comment, he climbed in behind her after giving the driver the directions to her house, and the carriage moved forward. He settled across from her and promised himself once this trip to the theater was over, he would try his damnedest to forget Miss Laura Benson.

And while I'm at it, perhaps I can forget how to breathe.

Once they arrived at her house, he slowly walked her up the steps. "Do you want me to send a carriage for you tonight? I assume you are working?"

"Yes, and yes. Please." Despite her discontent, she smiled. "I will convince you one day that what we have between us needn't be forbidden." She raised her hand when he attempted to dispute her words.

"Please allow me my dreams." With those soul-shattering words, she entered the house and softly closed the door.

Keniel made his way down the steps and into the carriage. Perhaps he was being foolish. Next Friday they would attend the theater together. Maybe Laura had the right of it. It really was no one's business.

And as long as I continue to believe that nonsense, chances are I will end up with a broken heart.