we could hire another nursemaid or two and perhaps a cook and a manservant. We could serve meat at both luncheon and dinner, and all the boys could wear decent shoes. We could pay a good apprenticeship fee and outfit each child in new clothes and shoes when they leave the home. They’d be so much better prepared to face the world.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “I can well afford to maintain your home if you wish to renegotiate my part of this bargain.”
Temperance pursed her lips. She didn’t know this man. How could she be certain that he’d take the position of patron responsibly? Or that he wouldn’t abandon them after only a month or two?
And, of course, there was an even more important consideration. “The home’s patron must be respectable.”
“Ah. I see.” She expected him to be insulted, but he merely gave her an ironic half smile. “Very well. I’ll stand you the monies needed to pay your home’s rent as well as enough for the various expenses the children have. In return, however, I will expect you to be ready to lead me into St. Giles tomorrow night.”
So soon? “Of course,” Temperance replied.
“And,” he said, his voice dangerously soft. “I will expect you to serve me until such time as I no longer have need of your services.”
Temperance blinked, feeling wary. Surely it was the height of foolishness to bind herself to a stranger for an indefinite length of time? “How long do you think your search will take?”
“I don’t know.”
“But you must have an end date in mind? If you don’t find what you want, say, within a month, you’ll give up your search?”
He simply looked at her, a small smile flickering at the corner of his mouth, and it crashed down on her—again—that she didn’t know this man. She knew nothing about him, in fact, beyond Nell’s ominous warning about him. For a moment, Temperance felt fear creep on little spider feet up her spine.
She straightened. They’d made a bargain, and she’d not dishonor herself by reneging on it. The home and all the children in it depended on her.
“Very well,” she said slowly. “I will help you for an indefinite time. But I will need forewarning when you wish to go into St. Giles. I have duties within the home and will have to find someone to take my place.”
“I mainly search at night,” Lord Caire drawled. “If you require a replacement for your work at the home, I will fund that as well.”
“That’s very generous of you,” she murmured, “but if we are to go out at night, then the children should already be abed. Hopefully, I will not be needed.”
“Good.”
“How soon will you be able to take me to meet potential patrons for the home?” She would somehow have to find a new dress and shoes at the very minimum. Her usual black stuff workday clothes wouldn’t do for meeting the wealthy of society.
He shrugged. “A fortnight? Perhaps more. I may need to go begging for invitations to the more sedate parties.”
“Very well.” A fortnight was not very much time, but then again, the home needed immediate help. She couldn’t afford to wait longer.
He nodded. “Then I believe our negotiations are concluded.”
“Not quite,” she said.
He halted in the act of raising his hat to his head. “Indeed, Mrs. Dews? You yourself have said I’ve been generous. What more do you need?”
The tiny smile was gone from his mouth, and he was looking rather intimidating, but Temperance swallowed and lifted her chin. “Information.”
He merely cocked an eyebrow.
“What is the name of the person you are looking for?”
“I don’t know.”
She frowned. “Do you know what they look like or the areas where they habitually frequent?”
“No.”
“Is this person a man or a woman?”
He smiled, deep lines incising themselves into his lean cheeks. “I have no idea.”
She blew out a breath, not a little frustrated. “How do you expect me to find this person for you, then?”
“I don’t,” he replied. “I merely expect you to help me search. I’d think that there would be several sources of gossip in St. Giles. Lead me to them and I will do the rest.”
“Very well.” She already had an idea of who might be a good source of “gossip.” Temperance stood and held out her hand. “I accept your bargain, Lord Caire.”
For an awful moment, he merely stared at her out-thrust hand. Perhaps he found the gesture too masculine or simply silly. But then he stood as well, and in