Page 70 of Love with a Notorious Rake

“She shouldn’t have been a scavenger. I trained her best I could, watched out for her…I failed.”

Aidan turned the boy to face him. “No, you did not fail her. Or the others. If not for you, the rest of the children would have been worse off.”

“I could’ve done more.” His lower lip quivered. He was obviously on the edge of tears again.

“We all could do more in this life, but often we don’t. I certainly didn’t. I lived for my own pleasures. Never gave a thought to anyone, not even my family. But I am trying to make amends.” Aidan laid a comforting hand on Rokesmith’s shoulder. “You, however, looked out for those children. Protected them. What happened to Lottie was not your fault. It was an accident, something completely out of your control.”

“I tied her hair back, I know I did. I always do it for those under the machines.”

“It must have come loose. Again, it’s not your fault. She should have never been under there, for you’re correct, she was too young to be working in the mill at all. That blame is on McRae.”

Rokesmith blinked, his eyes swelling with tears. “I don’t want her to die. She’s all I have.”

Aidan’s heart swelled with compassion, and he pulled the boy against him, giving him a comforting embrace. Strange that he would do this, but it was instinct, a wish to console the boy. At first, Aidan thought Rokesmith would pull away. But he leaned against Aidan and began to cry.

“Let it out, lad. Let it out,” he whispered softly. Aidan found his own eyes had filled with tears. In the midst of this tragic event, perhaps there was hope for his shriveled soul. But this wasn’t about him. “I promise you, if she lives, I will see to her safety. And yours. And I will do all in my power to see nothing like this happens ever again. To any child.”

Aidan meant it. By God, he would make it his life’s mission to bring down every cruel master who mistreated children. What good were power and money if not used to better the lives of those in need?

And how would his family feel about him bringing two orphans back to Wollstonecraft Hall? Because, damn it all, he would not leave Carter and Lottie to the fates.

Chapter 20

Cristyn had never seen such a horrible injury. Yes, she had lived a sheltered life, not only in Standon, but at the sanatorium.

“Fetch a basin of water, Cristyn, and cloths,” Paris said, his tone even.

Right, focus on the patient. Once she returned, she laid the objects on the shelf next to the examining table. Aidan’s blood-soaked coat had been tossed aside. The small child was unconscious. Perhaps that was a blessing.

As Paris cleaned away the blood, the extent of the injury became more apparent. The tear started on the left side of the forehead, near the hairline, and continued partway across her head—not as horrible as Cristyn had first thought. Large chunks of hair were missing, no doubt cut away to free her from the apparatus.

“This will take numerous stitches, but I believe we can close the wound. Whether she will survive the shock and the loss of blood is another question. Then there is the possibility of infection. I will need the razor; we will have to shave the hair close to the gash and begin stitching immediately.”

Once Cristyn collected the items needed, they worked together to clean the wound with antiseptic, shave the hair, and begin closing the jagged tear. They worked on each end of the wound, meeting the in middle. Through it all, the child slipped in and out of consciousness, and did not scream once. Brave girl.

They had no sooner completed when the girl’s eyes fluttered open. “Cristyn, some cool water with two drops of laudanum. She must sleep.”

They sat her upright enough to take the drink. Coaxing the girl with soft words, Paris held the glass to her mouth and she swallowed. In no time at all, she was asleep.

After wrapping part of her head in a gauze bandage, Paris wiped his hands on a towel. “I do not believe blood will collect under the skin and place pressure on the brain. But I cannot be sure.”

“Will she survive?”

“It is hard to say. You had better fetch Wollstonecraft and the boy.”

Cristyn walked toward the rear office and came upon Aidan comforting the lad.

“Let it out, lad. Let it out,” he whispered softly. Cristyn’s heart squeezed with sympathy at the sight. “I promise you, if she lives, I will see to her safety. And yours. And I will do all in my power to see nothing like this happens ever again. To any child.”

For all Aidan’s talk of being a heartless rake, she was seeing none of it here. She was moved beyond words at him offering solace to the distraught boy. Any man who would protect children was not without a heart and soul, no matter what he claimed.

“Aidan.”

He looked up questioningly.

“The doctor will see you now. Come, the both of you.”

They followed Cristyn to the exam area. Their gazes slid to the sleeping child.