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‘I would expect nothing less of the honourable Commissioner Edward Worthington.’ She winked, and Edward fell a little further in love.

I shall always be falling. Ever deeper.

His heart beat a wild tattoo as she took his hand and led him back to the ballroom.

* * *

Ivy strode on shaky legs to the table holding the chest of donated money. Nodding at Olivia, her friend hurried to where the musicians were playing and whispered instructions. Their song ceased instantly. Couples on the dance floor pulled apart, looking around to find the disturbance.

Philippa cut through the crowd to stand next to Ivy.

Edward flanked her other side, and her gaze sought out Millie, Hannah, and Penny.

They were filtered throughout the crowd.

Drake stood close to Millie, his hand on her hip as he kept a watchful eye on the crush.

No doubt his scarred visage helped to scare off any potential threats.

Hannah’s hand was in her pocket. Killian was behind her, his suit jacket not quite hiding a pistol-sized bulge.

Penny and Liam were on the dance floor. She turned to face Ivy, her back against her husband’s chest. He kept his hands on her shoulders, pulling her close as Penny gave Ivy a reassuring smile and plucky wink.

The moment was unaccountably surreal. She’d spent endless hours training in the ballroom.

Philippa must have had her servants working from dawn until the dead of night to remove the training paraphernalia.

Wooden dummies, sandbags, targets, and countless weapons ranging from swords, pistols, throwing knives, and cudgels were usually spread across the parquet, but now the walls were swathed in purple and yellow silk.

There wasn’t a weapon in sight, though Ivy guessed plenty were hidden amongst silken skirts and suit jackets.

The floor was packed with some of the wealthiest and oldest titles in Queen Victoria’s realm.

What might these grand lords and ladies think if they saw this ballroom a week before?

Summer blooms covered the tables. Beeswax candelabras flickered, and the three chandeliers highlighted a ceiling painted with a breathtaking rendition of Artemis during a hunt.

She held her bow aloft, an arrow notched and ready.

Nymphs frolicked in the trees, and a stag walked by her side begging the question, exactly what – or perhaps whom – was she hunting?

Evil men.

Ivy took courage from the fresco. Before she could lose her nerve, she raised her voice to address the crowd. ‘If I could have everyone’s attention, please.’

Hundreds of eyes turned to Ivy, and her stomach twisted in a nauseating roll.

Oh dear God. I am going to be ill in front of the entire beau monde.

A warm hand pressed against the small of her back.

With no one behind them, Edward’s gesture was hidden from view, but Ivy felt his encouragement fill her with strength.

Her gaze flicked to Henry. The lad nodded at Ivy, stiffening his already straight spine, a proud sentinel protecting the money that would change so many lives.

Sarah’s wide smile lit her face, and in a terrifying moment, Ivy realised what a beauty she would one day become.

Her undefined future was another reminder of how important this moment was for all of them.

‘The Duchess of Dorsett has so kindly hosted this ball to raise money for our most vulnerable.’ Ivy spent the next few minutes describing the harrowing fate of so many innocent children orphaned by illness, poverty, or violent crime.

She spoke of the tenacity, skill, and enterprise these young people could achieve.

The roles they could play in contributing to the betterment of society, industry, and service.

The danger of neglecting hundreds of young lives who, without the chance of honest industry, might turn to far more unsavoury pursuits.

Or become prey to an ugly underbelly of crime.

Her nerves fell away as she became more impassioned.

‘It is our responsibility to protect these children, provide them with education, skills, and training to become contributing members of the realm, and ensure no corrupt forces are preying on our most innocent, vulnerable citizens. Your donations tonight will help us with this most important mission. And further, Commissioner Worthington has agreed to create a task force focused on ensuring the health and safety of all our orphans.’ Ivy looked to Edward as a ripple of whispered comments rolled through the crowd.

‘Lady Cavendale is right. Scotland Yard’s primary purpose is to prevent crime. To that end, we will be keeping a watchful eye on our orphanages to ensure each child housed within has the opportunity to achieve a bright future.’

‘And to aid in this most important work, I shall be stepping down as headmistress of All Souls Orphanage to focus my work on supporting this task force and its most important mission. Rest in the comfort of knowing your contributions tonight will be put to good use. If any man wishes to harm our children, they will need to contend with me.’

‘And the full force of Scotland Yard.’ Edward’s deep voice boomed through the quiet crowd.

‘And Queen Victoria herself.’ A new voice rang out. The crowd swung their collective gaze to the other side of the room. The Lord High Chancellor stood next to his sister. He cut a striking figure with his height and solid stature made even greater by contrast to his sister’s petite form.

Ivy reached down, surreptitiously gripping Edward’s hand and squeezing.

The Lord High Chancellor’s endorsement was an unexpected boon.

When Millie started clapping, the crowd caught on, soon creating a thunder of support that only dissipated when Olivia instructed the musicians to play a lively reel.

Ivy and Edward made their way to the children as a rush of lords and ladies swarmed the orphans to drop more money in the chest.

‘You were right brilliant.’ Henry’s eyes shone as he looked at Ivy.

‘You aren’t going to be our headmistress any longer?’ Fingers pulled on Ivy’s dress as Sarah’s chin wobbled.

‘No, silly. She was just saying that to the crowd. You aren’t leaving us, are you, Miss Ivy?’

Damnation. I should have thought to speak with them before this. Idiot.

Ivy took Sarah’s hand into her own and squeezed. ‘I am so sorry. I should have told you before. But I will still come visit. I promise. Every week.’

A fat tear rolled down Sarah’s now splotchy cheek. ‘But it won’t be the same. Who will read stories to us at night? And protect us from men sneaking in the window? Who will take care of me if I get sick again?’ Her quavering voice rose higher with each word.

‘I don’t want a new headmistress. What if she smells of fish oil? Or beats us if we don’t get our chores done fast enough?’ Henry turned to Edward. ‘She can’t leave. You’ve got to make her stay.’

Edward put his hand on Henry’s shoulder. ‘I can’t make her do anything, nor would I ever try. But I promise we shall find the right headmistress. Someone with nary a hint of fish oil.’

‘Who will read to you every night,’ Ivy agreed, the heartbreak of Sarah making her want to take back everything she said about supporting the task force and rush to her small little room at the orphanage. ‘We promise.’

Sarah covered her face, her thin shoulders shaking with sobs. Ivy pulled her into a hug and looked helplessly at Edward. This was supposed to be a moment of triumph, but she felt terrible.

Olivia swept through the crowd, joining the tragic quartet. ‘What on earth is wrong?’

‘The children didn’t realise I would be leaving my post.’

‘You can’t leave.’ Henry’s face grew red, his eyes suspiciously bright. ‘You must stop saying it. Please.’

Help! Ivy mouthed to Olivia.

The fair beauty nodded her head. Taking Sarah’s and Henry’s hands in each of hers, she spread her lips in a bright smile.

‘Why don’t you both come with me? Cook has far too many puddings and will need some help eating them up.

You’ve done such a wonderful job tonight, you deserve a special reward.

You’ll feel loads better once you’ve had something to eat, and then we can discuss what to do about Miss Ivy.

Trust me, darlings, all will be well.’ Pulling the children along, she swept out of the ballroom.

‘I feel awful.’ Ivy wanted to lean into Edward, but there were too many eyes on them.

‘So do I. We should have spoken with them first.’

‘It was stupid of me not to think of their shock.’

Edward clenched his jaw. ‘Stupid of us both. It’s only been a short time, but I’ve grown very fond of those two.

All of the children at the orphanage. We’ll think of something.

Some way to reassure them. But now, let us join the others at the refreshment table and see if our little speech drummed up any suspicious behaviour.

There will be time enough to focus on the children once we’ve captured the Wolf. ’

What kind of person had she become when the prospect of flushing out evil lords bent on horrific crimes improved her mood?

I’m no longer hiding in the shadows.

Nor did she want to remain alone. An idea was germinating.

What if I asked Worthington to marry me? And if he agreed, would he also be willing to take on Henry and Sarah?

It was a revelation of thought. To even imagine not only binding herself to a man for the rest of her days but adopting two children on the cusp of adulthood. Was it madness?

I don’t care. I’m not going to hide from what I want any more out of fear.