Page 28 of A Winter’s Romance

A day later.

L ouisa hesitated when the gentleman indicated for her to approach him. She had not been on the streets all her life like Rosie or been forced to do some of the things Rosie had. The gentleman looked kind, but until she was even more desperate, Louisa was determined that her body would remain her own; it was the last portion of decency that she clung to, even if the odds were not in her favour.

He gestured again and smiled at her. He was probably in his fifties, slender and attractive for his age. His hair was greying but had obviously been deep brown in his youth. His chocolate-coloured eyes looked kindly at her wary stance. It was clear he understood she could bolt at any moment.

“Child, I will not hurt you,” he said softly. “You have my word as a gentleman. My name is Lord Hindley, and you stood out when I drove past. You do not fit into this world, so let me help you.”

Louisa flushed. She had tried so hard to blend in; it was the only way to remain safe. “This is where I belong.”

“I would sound more convincing when telling a Banbury tale if I were you,” came the gentle response. His sympathetic smile never faltered. “If I step towards you, do not run away. I want to talk to you, that is all. I promise you are under no threat from me.”

“If you want to help, throw a few pennies, and that will be assistance enough,” Louisa said, raising her chin a little. She hated begging, but it was necessary if the three of them were to eat.

“I do not think my conscience will allow me to throw a few pennies and then drive off. It is too cold for you to be out in this weather.”

“There are too many of us for you to fix. The streets are littered with beggars. Your pennies will help us well enough. If we have food in our bellies, we can face the cold,” Louisa replied matter-of-factly. It wasn’t exactly true. Many urchins went to sleep during the cold winter months and never woke up.

Lord Hindley smiled at her response. “You have an excellent point, but please indulge an old man. Let me help you as much as I can. If nothing else, it will make me feel better.”

Louisa wanted to be proud, but proud people died on the streets of London every day. She sighed and moved closer to him. She had vowed that she would return the kindness shown to her by Rosie and Billy when she had first found herself here. This man might be able to help them and enable her to repay her debt to them.

“Pennies will help. We are always hungry,” she said less defensively. For some reason she did trust him, although she could never let her guard down completely. She had already learned the consequences of making that mistake, and that had been with family .

“Then you shall have all that I carry at the moment, although it isn’t as much as I would like to give you,” Lord Hindley said, reaching into his pocket and handing her more money than she had seen in a long time. “What else do you need?”

“Do you have blankets in your carriage?” Louisa asked. If he asked her to retrieve the blankets, she would take the coins and run.

“I do. Would you like one?” He directed his footman to retrieve a blanket.

Louisa blushed. “Do you have three? There are three of us, and we share everything, but Rosie says I hold onto the blanket when I sleep.”

“I think we can manage three. Will the money buy you warmer clothes?”

Louisa laughed a little. Even she wasn’t so na?ve. “Probably, but we won’t be allowed in any respectable shop, sir. We can barter with the less choosy businesses, but we will buy food first. I don’t want to be forced to give up the money.” She would be robbed by other street people if they saw it. There was no honour amongst thieves in the back streets of London.

“You mention there are three of you. Are you all girls?” he asked.

“No. One boy. Well, man really, he is eighteen.” Louisa stiffened at why he would ask such a question. She wanted to give the impression that she had a little protection, although anyone meeting Billy would quickly realise he was the one who needed protecting.

“Your brother and sister?”

“No, not by blood in any case,” Louisa replied. The footman laid the blankets at her feet, and she stepped back from him, still wary.

“My child, no one will hurt you who is associated with me,” Lord Hindley said reassuringly.

“Thank you,” Louisa said. She was not convinced. So much money would come at a high cost; no one was this generous and wanted nothing in return. “What do you wish me to do in exchange for your kindness?” She was surprised at the flinch her words caused.

“I need you to make me a promise.”

“What sort of promise?” Louisa asked, all suspicion.

“Meet me here at the same time, on the same day, next week. I will bring food, clothing, and more money. I want your word that you will be here,” he insisted.

“Why would you do that?” Louisa asked disbelievingly.

“Because I can afford it, and you need it,” he replied simply. “Do I have your promise?”

“I would be foolish to say no, would I not?” Louisa said with a small smile.

“You would,” he replied, but his words were said so kindly, they held no sting.

“God willing, I will be here.”

“Good. Until then, Miss?”

Louisa stiffened. She was grateful for his kindness but refused to supply him with any details about herself, but she did not want to lie to him either.

“Louisa. My name is Louisa.”

He looked pleased that she had given him her name. “Well, Louisa, until next week. Take care, my child. ”

Louisa nodded. She would not reach down for the blankets until he had left. She still had some doubts about his motives. Just as he was climbing into the carriage, she was struck by something. “Sir!” she called out.

“Yes?” he replied, pausing mid-step.

“If I don’t make it next week, would you still provide for Rosie and Billy?”

“Why wouldn’t you be here? I thought I had your promise.”

“I will stand by my promise,” she responded proudly but then faltered slightly. “It is just that on the streets, you can never know...”

The sentence hung in the air between them. “I understand, my dear, and your words force me to extract another promise from you.”

“What?” came the suspicious reply.

“I need you to promise that you and your friends will stay out of harm’s way as much as possible. I cannot return sooner, I wish I could, but I need you to stay safe in the meantime. Avoid any situations that might lead to trouble.”

Louisa smiled. “Your blankets and money will help and we will not put ourselves at risk as much as we can.”

“Good. Until next week then. Take care, my child.”