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This was probably a mistake. Even so, Bram rang the bell on the elegant Bath-stone town house, knowing full well the boy on his shoulder and gaggle of children huddled at his back didn’t belong here in Mayfair. Not at the home of one of the wealthiest men in England. He’d always been welcome here, but now? With a collection of raggedy waifs? A sigh poured out of him. What other choice did he have?

The heavy oak door swung open to a perfectly liveried butler. He was a youngish fellow, not a grey lock daring a glint from his slicked-back hair—certainly not the same man Bram remembered from years ago when he’d visited this house.

“May I help you?” A kind enough question, but as the butler’s gaze drifted from Bram to the disparate troop of children behind him, a distinct twitch near his left eye came to life.

Despite the weight of the boy he carried, Bram straightened his shoulders. “Is Mr. Price at home? I should like a word with him.”

“Mr. Price donates to the Lowry Street Charity Home. I suggest you seek aid there. Good day.” The door swung.

Bram shot out his foot, stopping it before it could shut. “I am not seeking charity. What I seek is my old friend Mr. Price. Please let him know Mr. Bram Webb is on his doorstep.”

The man eyed him through the thin space between door and jamb—a look that could rival one of Grimwinkle’s. “Very well,” he said at length.

This time Bram allowed the door to close.

And as soon as it did, Eva stepped up beside him. “What are we doing here? We should be seeing about getting these children some food. It was a long walk here for those who did not fit in the pony cart, and the younger ones are tired.”

“Soon. Very soon. Trust me.”

The lines of her face softened, the blue of her eyes warming to a summer sky. “I do trust you.”

Heat kindled in his chest, her words stirring something deep inside—a sense of purpose, responsibility, of being the protector she needed most in this unpredictable world. In that moment, surrounded by weary children he’d taken under his wing and the woman he loved with all his heart, he knew with absolute certainty he’d move mountains to ensure their safety and well-being.

He gave Eva’s fingers a squeeze. “Thank you.”

The door reopened—wide, this time. “Please come in.” The butler stepped aside until they all gathered in the ornate front hall. “Follow me, if you will, but try not to touch anything.” He strode off at a good clip.

Bram smirked. Either the man was in a hurry to attend some other task, or he thought such speed would deter the children from shoving candlesticks into their pockets.

They entered a spacious sitting room, all gold and green and smelling of beeswax. Bram set Andy down on one of the many sofas, glad to remove the burden. Though the boy was slight, he’d left a distinct cramp in Bram’s bicep.

Eva ushered the rest of the children to various other seats. “Sit still, children, and make sure not to touch anything just as the gentleman asked.”

Out of habit, Bram approached the mantel and lifted the lid of the humidor. The rich scent of Dominican tobacco wafted out, instantly easing some of the tightness in his neck. He reached to pocket a few of the cigars, but inches away from contact, shut the lid instead. Eva wouldn’t appreciate him smelling of smoke.

“Kipes!” one of the children exclaimed. “This place is a palace.”

“Miss Inman?” Another girl chimed in, wonder in her voice. “Are we going to live here?”

“No, Maggie. We are merely guests for a brief time.”

Bram turned from the hearth as Eva drew close, a certain amount of awe in her own gaze. “I had no idea you rubbed elbows with the elite.”

“You should never judge a book by its cover.” He grinned.

Her lips slightly parted as she peered up at him. “I have been wrong about you in so many ways.”

The admiration in her eyes went down deep, unpacked, and made a home in his heart. How had this woman come to be so much a part of him? Lightly, he ran his finger along the curve of her cheek. “I could get used to a look like that.”

“Well, this is a surprise,” a bass voice rumbled from the doorway.

Bram turned to see his old friend Edmund Price entering, a dark-haired beauty at his side. Both wore a golden glow to their skin, likely having returned from a recent dig in Egypt.

“You know me, Price. Just keeping you on your toes.” He clapped the man on the back.

“That is my job now.” Ami, Price’s wife, gave her husband a sideways embrace, then held out her hand to Bram. “But it is good to see you again, and I note you have brought along a friend—or rather, I should say friends .”

He pressed his lips to the top of Ami’s hand, then urged Eva forward with a slight touch to her arm. “Indeed, I have. Ami Price, meet Miss Eva Inman. Eva, Mrs. Price.”

Eva dipped a full curtsey. “I am pleased to meet you, Mrs. Price.”

Ami laughed, the sound so merry that several of the children giggled along with her. “No need for such formality. Please call me Ami. And since this artful gentleman you have taken up with has neglected to introduce you to my husband, it is up to me to do the honour. Eva, this is Edmund Price.”

Eva’s jaw dropped. “ The Edmund Price?”

Edmund chuckled. “The one and only—to which my wife would say was God’s mercy.” He winked at Ami.

His wife promptly batted his arm. “Scoundrel ... but very true. I would say such a thing.”

“Miss Inman?” a small voice called from one of the sofas. “My tummy is grumbly.”

Before Eva could answer, Ami swooped over to the children and crouched to their level, her fine silk skirts billowing like a soft cloud around her. “But what is this? Has our friend Mr. Webb brought us a crew of adventurers with empty bellies? We cannot have such a tragedy. Come, let us go dig about the kitchen and see what relics we can unearth, hmm?” She swiped little Andy into her arms.

Eva’s brows lifted, clearly astonished that a lady from an elegant home would stoop to such an act. Bram smirked. She had no idea Ami Price was a feisty Egyptologist at heart.

She didn’t marvel for long, though. She advanced with her hands held out. “Children, you heard the lady. Form a chain and follow Mrs. Price just as you did Mr. Webb. Penny and I shall bring up the rear.” She glanced back at Bram as if for permission.

Which was entirely endearing.

He nodded, and soon the room emptied to naught but him and his old friend.

Edmund strolled to the drink cart and poured from a carafe of water. “Looks like you have been caught in some sort of net this time—and with a school of fish to accompany you. I am certain there is intrigue involved.” He waggled his eyebrows as he handed over a glass.

Bram chugged the drink, hoping the refreshment would somehow make words flow. There was so much to explain. “Remember that favor you said you owed me?”

“I do.”

“I am calling it in, old friend.”

“Are you?” Edmund sank into an overstuffed chair and stretched out his legs. “Perhaps you had better enlighten me, then, on exactly what terms I consented to without knowing the finer points of our agreement.”

Bram paced a moment, rubbing furiously at the back of his neck. Where to begin? “It is a long story, but the shortened version is I accompanied Miss Inman to London to visit her sister at a school for the blind in which the girl had recently been enrolled. Turns out it was a sweatshop she had been sold to under false pretense—as were several other of the children. Deplorable conditions.” Even now his hands curled into fists. “Of the ten children I rescued, four reside in Royston, and I will see them returned to their families.” He stopped in front of Edmund. “As long as you can part with a carriage, that is.”

“That is all? I am to get off with the simple lending of a coach?” His eyes narrowed. “What of the other six children?”

“Yes, well ... that is where the actual favor comes in. Four of them are orphans, and the other two were sold by their families, so I do not think they will be a welcome sight should they be returned to their front stoop.”

“And you expect me to do what with them?”

He shrugged. “You and that wife of yours are a resourceful team. I am sure you will think of something.”

A great laugh pealed out of his friend. “Ami was just lamenting the other day how she longed for the pitter-patter of little feet; however, I do not think this was what she had in mind.”

“So...” Bram lowered to an adjacent chair, setting his empty glass on a side table. “You will help me?”

“No.” He stabbed his finger through the air. “You steal my cigars.”

Bram shot up his hands “Frisk me if you like. You will not find a one in my pockets.”

“The day is not over.” Rising, Edmund collected both glasses and returned them to the cart, one of his brows lifting. “But I will help that lovely lady of yours. I am sure it has been trying enough for her to put up with you.”

Bram sank against the cushion, blessed relief making breathing much easier. He hadn’t realized just how uptight he’d been until now. “Thank you, Price. You always were a good sport.”

“Amongst other things, you mean. Now then.” All humor fled from his friend’s face as Edmund leaned forward on his chair. “Though I never made it into Parliament, I have the ear of a good many politicians. There are rumblings of a new Factory and Workshop Act in the making, so tell me all about this sweatshop. I shall see what I can do about shutting it down.”

Inman Manor was a respectable home—or at least it had been—but even in its glory days, the place was a scrap heap compared to this fine town house. The flickering glow of the hearth fire and overhead chandeliers cast a golden hue across the elegantly appointed drawing room. Velvet draperies and plush settees lined the walls, every table surface, baseboard, and mantel gleaming to polished perfection. Eva nibbled on her fingernail, marveling at the opulence and the kindness of the Prices for taking in such a menagerie she and Bram had brought to their door ... which was a crisis of her own making. She never should have sent Penny away with that grasping, conniving Mrs. Mortimer! What a fool she’d been.

“... you think, Eva?”

Ami’s playful voice pulled her from her musings, and she shifted on the cushion to face the woman. “Forgive me.” Eva smiled. “What did you say?”

“Oh, nothing of consequence, really. I merely commented on how delicious dinner was. I still can hardly believe I live in a home with a French chef. Good thing we have one, though. All I can cook is burned water.” Ami picked up a rose-sprigged teapot and began pouring, one brow arched at Eva. “But something troubles you. I hope you are not worrying about the children. I daresay they shall all sleep like babes tonight.”

“No doubt. I am grateful for the generosity of you and your husband. Truly. I do not deserve such a kindness. This whole thing could have been avoided had I not run ahead of God’s timing.”

Laughter bubbled out of the slight woman as she handed over a steaming cup of Earl Grey. “Then we are kindred spirits, my friend. If I had but a penny for every time I galloped off on my own, I daresay I would be wealthier than my husband.” She resumed her seat with her own cup and saucer. “But tell me why you think such a thing, for sometimes we are harder on ourselves than need be—a truth I have fought like a wet cat this past year.”

“I do not wish to burden you. I have already imposed on you enough as is.”

“Bosh! It is the sharing of burdens that makes them lighter.” She set the cup aside and leaned forward on her chair, sincerity gleaming in her eyes. “Please, if nothing else, I will know how to pray for you.”

A smile twitched Eva’s lip. This woman could tame a wild horse by sheer will alone. “All right.” She fiddled with the handle of her teacup, taking care not to spill the hot liquid but grateful all the same to give her hands something to do. “The thing is, I never should have sent Penny away from home, for it was only two days later when Mr. Webb arrived with the tax money I needed. I realize that does not make a lot of sense to you, not knowing my history and all, but suffice it to say I should have trusted God to provide instead of making things happen on my own.”

“Then we are more than kindred spirits. We are twins separated at birth.” A smirk twisted the lady’s mouth. “Allow me a different perspective, Eva. The way I see it, if you had not sent your sister to that awful sweatshop, then you never would have discovered the other children, and they would not have been rescued. So do not assume it was not God’s plan all along.”

“But I am responsible for Penny, and she suffered because of me.”

Ami wagged her finger. “You are not God. You cannot protect her from suffering.”

She’d certainly heard that one before. “You sound like Mr. Webb.”

“I shall take that as a compliment, for he is a good man.” She reclaimed her teacup and took a few sips before murmuring so low, Eva had to strain to catch all her words. “Pain is a part of life on this earth, yet through it all, God is sovereign.” Tears glistened in her eyes as she once again set the half-empty cup aside, this time apparently for good as she shoved it a distance away.

“It seems as if you speak as much to yourself as you do to me.”

“I do.” Lips pressed tightly together, she glanced away. “My ... em, my father recently died, you see.”

“Oh!” Eva’s hand flew to her chest, her own heart squeezing for the woman’s loss. “I am so sorry. I had no idea.”

“No wonder on that account. I wore black for only a month. Dreadful colour. Made me even more gloomy.” She retrieved a fire poker, then set about jabbing at the hearth coals. “I miss him dearly, of course, but at least he died doing what he loved. Edmund and I were on a dig with him in Egypt. My father had been struggling with sore joints for some time yet assured me he was getting better. He was not, and he hid how his affliction affected his mobility—or tried to. He fell from a ladder and hit his head, hence our return to London.”

She jammed the poker back into the stand, then sat once again, her cheeks rosy from being so near the heat, or perhaps from emotion. “I haven’t the heart right now to pursue another expedition, so speaking of God’s timing, you happen to find me with nothing to do. Caring for the children you’ve brought me will be a welcome diversion.”

Despite the sorrow lingering on the edge of the woman’s voice, a glimmer of hope stirred in Eva’s heart. Ami’s resilience was a good reminder that even in the midst of hardship, there was always the possibility of finding solace and purpose in unexpected places, and most importantly, that God did not abandon one even in difficult times. “With all that you have been through, it is more than kind of you to take them in for now.”

“Think nothing of it. I feel certain you would have done the same had Edmund and I shown up on your doorstep with a gaggle of young ones.” She flounced back against the cushion, a sudden impish tilt to her head. “Now, on to happier topics. Tell me about you and Bram.”

Eva shrugged. “We are old friends. I have known him since childhood.”

“Come now, there is more to it than that. His gaze follows you around like a lost puppy. There is no mistaking he is a man in love, and you cannot deny you return that affection or your cheeks would not be blazing like those coals I just stirred.”

Eva’s palms flew to her face. Sure enough, her skin was hot to the touch. Her gaze met Ami’s, and quite out of the blue, they both broke into laughter.

Eva sank against the back of her seat, completely relaxed in this sweet woman’s presence. “Is it so very obvious?”

“To everyone but Bram, I suspect. I hope he comes to his senses quickly, though, for you are a gem he ought not let slip through his fingers. Men can be dolts when it comes to acting on their feelings, but if he doesn’t, do not be afraid to act upon yours.” Ami shoved a loosened lock of hair from her brow, her gaze burning into Eva’s. “Love ought not languish for want of acknowledgment, for life is too short.”