she’d only thought him a bored lord, seeking to unhinge her for the fun of it alone. However, the way he’d spoken to her that night, that hint of vulnerability in his voice, Caroline could not help but wonder if there was more to him than met the eye. Could it be that he truly cared? That he had not lied? That there was no wager? That he would not reveal what he’d glimpsed of her? That he was simply curious as he had said?
“Miss Hawkins,” the Black Baron greeted her. “How wonderful to see you here…so unexpectedly.” There was a strange twinkle in his eyes as his lips curved up into a smile that made Caroline wonder if their meeting here was indeed unexpected.
For him.
For a second, his gaze traveled to Sarah, and he inclined his head to her in greeting.
Caroline sensed Sarah’s surprise that he would acknowledge her, but chose to ignore it for the time being. Perhaps this was her chance to get a deeper insight into his character. “Indeed, it is, my lord. What brings you here?”
Lord Markham shrugged. “It is such a nice day, I thought I’d take a stroll.” His gaze moved beyond her shoulder and came to linger upon the children’s home. “Were you visiting here?”
Caroline tensed, disliking how close he was coming to her secret. Had it truly been a coincidence that he’d come upon her here? Her eyes narrowed. “Why here?”
His brows drew down and, yet, that twinkle in his eyes never wavered. “I beg your pardon?”
Squaring her shoulders, Caroline fixed him with an inquisitive gaze. “Why did you decide to take a stroll here? Down this street? It is not commonly an area lords and ladies like to frequent.” She glanced around to prove her point.
Lord Markham chuckled, then he leaned closer conspiratorially. “And yet, you are here, my dear Miss Hawkins. Care to tell me what prompted your feet to seek out this place?”
Caroline drew in a slow breath.
“You’re angry with me,” he observed with a chuckle. Then his gaze narrowed before he glanced back and forth between her and the building at her back. “And you don’t want me here. Why is that?”
Gritting her teeth, Caroline simply strode past him, Sarah close on her heels. She heard him call out her name once, a hint of disappointment in his voice, before she rushed around the next corner.
“He’s a dangerous man,” Sarah mumbled, her breath coming fast. “He sees too much.”
Caroline nodded. “I know.”
Clearly, Lord Markham had no intention of staying out of her way. Had he not promised to gain her trust? Well, if he was not trustworthy, after all, she needed to find something—leverage!—to ensure that if he were to unearth her secret, he would not reveal it to anyone. But how? As it was, Caroline had little time to waste. Her days were packed with all those many little things a wallflower did. After all, she needed to keep up appearances.
With her parents.
With the ton.
With her beloved, but nosey cousin.
And on top of that, she had the orphanage to worry about. Where on earth was she to find a suitable replacement for Mr. Wolsey? She could not very well run the children’s home herself. Her days wouldn’t allow for it. But perhaps her nights.
Caroline frowned.
At least for the time being, she thought. Until she could find a replacement.
Of course, it was a risk.
Another one.
Chapter Seventeen
A Life’s Mission
Thanks to Jacob, Pierce knew very well what had his little mouse so upset, and he thought he might know a solution.
“Albert,” he addressed his silent butler upon returning home. “How do you feel about children?” More than once, Pierce had seen the man play hide-and-go-seek with Daphne and Susan or sneak the girls a treat from the kitchen. He was a quiet man, who liked to keep to the background, a calm about him that remained unparalleled. He possessed the kind of disposition Miss Hawkins pretended to have.
Albert’s nonexistent eyebrows rose to his hairline at the admittedly unusual question. “I beg your pardon, my lord?”
“Children,” Pierce repeated, clasping the man’s shoulder in a companionable way. “Do you like them?”
Albert’s pale eyes blinked. “I do, my lord.”
“Good,” Pierce exclaimed with a smile. “Because I have a proposition to put before you.” Albert tensed. “And you must honestly tell me what you think.”
The old man nodded. “I shall, my lord.”
As expected, Albert’s eyes grew round when he heard what Pierce had in mind for him. Panic stood on his face and,