The Doctor and the Libertine - Callie Hutton Page 0,54

will try very hard to make you happy to be with us.”

The little girl’s eyes grew wide, no doubt shocked that an adult, this well-dressed and well-spoken man, wanted to make her happy.

“’Ank you, sir.” If Glory’s face got any redder, she would explode.

Dean turned to Thomas, “Say hello to your new sister.”

Rayne knew her nephew to be a very kind, caring young man. She had no doubt that he would eventually be Glory’s champion. She really needed a big brother to look after her as much as she needed parents. “Hello,” Thomas said. “Do you like to play ball?”

Glory turned to look at Rayne. The poor girl probably didn’t even know what he was talking about. Her life thus far had encompassed very little playing and she probably had never even seen a ball.

“Thomas, do you have a ball with you?” Rayne asked. Since they were planning on staying for a bit, Rayne was sure he brought one with him.

“Yes, Auntie, I have one in my satchel.”

“Excellent. Why don’t you fetch it and take Glory out to the garden and show her how to play ball?”

Thomas nodded and stood.

“I will have Walter, who is my employee, show you to the room where you will be staying. I’m sure he’s brought your things there.”

Thomas turned to Glory. “Do you want to come with me?”

Again, she glanced back at Rayne. Rayne nodded to her and Glory turned to follow Thomas from the room.

“I think that went very well,” Rayne said as they all let out a deep breath.

Edwin stood at the entrance to the drawing room and watched Rayne chatting away with a woman who had to be her sister. Although the two looked somewhat alike, it was apparent from the little bit of conversation he’d seen that Rayne was the more subdued of the two women.

Rayne’s face glowed with happiness, but her sister was more enthusiastic in her conversing, moving her hands around and laughing a good deal.

“Edwin! You’re here earlier than I expected.” Rayne stood to greet him, a welcoming smile on her face.

When would he ever get used to the feelings that erupted whenever he saw her? The time was growing closer to when she had to end her betrothal. She had met with Mr. Faulkner-Jones for dinner, and he was anxious to hear how the conversation went.

“Mary Beth, may I present Lord Sterling to you? He started out as my patient, but has for some unknown reason, turned into my financial advisor and collector of outstanding bills.” She touched Edwin on the arm. “This is my sister, Mrs. Mary Beth Richards, and over there,” she waved in the direction of a man sitting across from her, “is her husband, Mr. Dean Richards.”

Mr. Richards stood, walked to Edwin, and put his hand out. “A pleasure, my lord.” He grinned at Rayne. “Financial advisor, and collector of debts? There must be quite a story behind that.”

Rayne shrugged. “I’m not quite sure myself. I think it just happened. Will you join us for luncheon, Edwin?” Her face flushed a bright red and he realized she must have been embarrassed to have used his given name in front of her sister and brother-in-law.

He cast a glance at Mrs. Richards, and as expected, the woman’s eyebrows practically reached her hairline.

“Yes, I would like that, however, now I need to spend a bit more time with Mrs. O’Leary.” ‘Twas best to get back on track to give Rayne time to compose herself.

“Yes. The people from the asylum are sending someone for her in the morning.”

“Oh, how terrible! This is one of your patients, Rayne?” Mrs. Richards asked.

Rayne nodded. “Yes. There is a long story behind it, so please don’t spend a great deal of time in sympathy for the woman.”

Rayne’s sister and brother-in-law looked at her strangely but said nothing. Edwin nodded and headed to the infirmary with pad and pencil in his hands.

Two children came racing down the stairs, laughing. Glory practically ran into him as she chased an older boy. He grabbed her by her arms. “Whoa there little lady, where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“We're goin 'o play wi'h a ball. Shah 'im, 'homas.” Glory barely got the words out, trying to catch her breath.

The boy held out the ball. “It’s just a regular ball, sir. Nothing different about it.”

Edwin smiled. “Let me guess. You must be Master Thomas Richards? Am I correct?”

The lad nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“I am Lord Sterling, a friend of your aunt, Dr. Stevens.”

He