slightly out of breath as he stepped around the desk and gave her a formal bow.
“Good morning,” Caroline replied, surprised to feel the beginnings of a smile tug on her lips. “May I ask who you are?” she inquired when he remained quiet.
At her question, his gaze widened once more and a hint of red came to his cheeks. “I apologize for my lack of manners, Miss.” Again, he bowed. “My name is Albert. Lord Markham sent me.”
Caroline’s jaw dropped.
In turn, Albert all but flinched at the sight of her astonishment. “I assumed Lord Markham had informed you…” his voice trailed off when Caroline began to shake her head. “I see.”
Swallowing, Caroline stepped into the room, her mind racing to make sense of this new development. Had she not half an hour ago spoken to her cousin about men and their hidden agendas? Now, what was Lord Markham’s? Not for a second would she believe he’d sent Albert out of the goodness of his heart. Not after the way he had teased her since first addressing her. But what could he possibly hope to accomplish with this? And more pressingly how had he known of her predicament? Had she said anything to him when he’d come upon her outside the orphanage the other day?
Rubbing her temple, Caroline couldn’t recall. Unfortunately, lack of sleep was slowly depriving her of her faculties.
“Do you wish for me to leave?” Albert asked, a tinge of concern in his voice as he looked at her. “I assure you I had no intention of trespassing without permission and will abide by your decision without delay.”
Sincerity rested in his pale eyes, and Caroline felt herself smile at him yet again. “It’s all right,” she told him, noting the unease that lingered in his gaze. “I’m not angry with you.” She was angry with Lord Markham, but that was hardly Albert’s fault. “May I ask why he sent you?”
Some of the tension seemed to leave the man’s posture. “He suggested I could lend a hand in the management of the orphanage.”
Caroline’s gaze narrowed. “Did he think me incapable?”
The harshness in her voice made Albert flinch. “Oh, no, Miss Hawkins!” he rushed to assure her. “He merely suggested that…that is…I…” For a moment, Albert looked ready to faint, his arms gesturing wildly as his mouth opened and closed.
“Sit!” Caroline ordered, moving toward him. As he sank into the chair behind the desk, she reached to fill a glass of water, then handed it to him. “Drink this.”
After doing as she’d bid, Albert then inhaled a deep breath, his gaze still wide. “I apologize, Miss. I never meant to…” Again, his mouth opened and closed. Then he sighed, looking exhausted. “I only meant to help.” He swallowed. “For the children.”
Caroline smiled at him. “I’m sure of it. Thank you, Albert.” She looked around the office before returning her gaze to him. “Have you had a chance to look over the ledgers?”
Swallowing, he nodded. “It seems…a large amount of money has been…” Again, he swallowed. “…misplaced.”
Caroline sighed. “Stolen,” she corrected, “by the man previously in charge here.”
Albert’s jaw tensed and his eyes hardened in a way she wouldn’t have thought possible. “That’s outrageous!” he exclaimed, then sat up straighter, his hands reaching for the ledgers. “Has his conduct been reported to the authorities?”
Once again feeling exhausted, Caroline sank into the armchair across from Albert. “I haven’t had the chance.” Besides, she couldn’t very well reveal her close connection to the orphanage. Her father would throw a fit if he found out!
“I see,” Albert mumbled, his gaze flitting across the pages before him. Then it rose to meet hers. “I shall see what I can do,” he paused, “with your permission.”
Caroline smiled at him. “Thank you, Albert. You’re very kind.”
A tinge of red crawled up the man’s cheeks and he quickly dropped his head, focusing his attention on the words on the page.
“I’ll check in again tomorrow,” Caroline told him as she rose to her feet. “Should you need to reach me though, Mary knows how.”
Albert nodded, cast her another one of his tentative smiles and then dropped his gaze back down.
Heading home, Caroline marveled about what to do with the time on her hands. When was the last time that had happened? She couldn’t recall. Another yawn made her realize how tired she was, and so upon returning home, she decided—for the first time since she’d been a child—it was time for a nap.
There would still be time tomorrow to worry