Page 2 of An Orphan for the Broken Duke

As was common, she was sitting in the corner, alone, always too shy to involve herself with others. Violet smiled softly and made her way towards her.

“Miss Violet! Miss Violet!” the children cried out as she moved through them.

“I see you,” she laughed.

“Look here!” another called. “See what I drew!”

“I’ll be there in a minute, Michael,” she assured the young boy as she continued towards Lucy.

Violet was always sure to spend as much time with all the children as possible. There were far too few carers to go around, and she hated thinking that any of the children were being neglected. But always, Lucy came first.

It had not been something that she planned, but there was just something about the little girl that made Violet feel safe. She had started working at the orphanage because she had needed something in her life that was simple, that would allow her to forget her own woes and struggles, and Lucy did that for her.

And the more Lucy warmed up to her, the more Violet knew how much she was coming to care for the little girl as if she were her own.

“What are we doing over here?” Violet asked when she reached Lucy.

“Nothing,” Lucy said.

“I can see that,” Violet laughed. “Would you like some company? Perhaps we can read something together?”

It was subtle, always careful, but Lucy beamed. “Yes, please.”

She spent the next hour sitting with Lucy and reading. Lucy said little throughout, but she sat close to Violet the whole time, one hand on her leg as if she was afraid to let go.

Violet might have stayed there for even longer were it not for the fact that she was soon interrupted by Miss Wilks, the head carer at the orphanage. She was a kindly old lady, the type who always wore a bright smile and had far too much energy for one who walked with a crooked back and knobbly knees.

“There you are!” she hurried towards Violet and Lucy. “Violet, I have been looking for you. Oh, my!”

“Miss Wilks.” Violet smiled at her. “What has gotten you in such a fright?”

“A fright might be a nice way of putting it!” Miss Wilks fidgeted with her hands. She was clearly nervous. “I just received word that His Grace is coming to visit. He should be here any minute.”

“His Grace?” Violet frowned.

“The Duke of Ashmere!” Miss Wilks cried. “One of the orphanage’s main benefactors.”

“Oh…” Violet shrugged. “What of it?”

She had heard of the duke, of course, but she had never seen or met him. Why would she have? While she appreciated that he gave money to the orphanage, she doubted that he cared about it. In her mind, he likely did so for reasons of appearance, knowing that such philanthropy would make him appear kind of heart.

Personally, Violet did not have time for such people as that.

“He has not been here in years,” Miss Wilks said. “And that he has chosen to come now…” Her wrinkled face scrunched into a tight ball. “You know how we struggle, Violet. How tight our funds are. He probably wishes to assess his investment.”

“They are not an investment, Miss Wilks. They are children.”

“Oh, I know that! But does he?” She looked around as the panic grew. “If he takes one look at this place, he might decide it is not worth the cost.”

Violet winced, realizing the truth of Miss Wilks’ words.

“What should we do? If anything?”

“Show him that we have everything in order,” she said, nodding her head as if coming up with a plan on the spot. “Hopefully, he will pop in, see that all is well, and leave.”

“And if he does not?”

She clicked her tongue. “We will cross that bridge when it comes.” With that said, Miss Wilks turned and hurried off. As she did, she spoke to some of the other carers, giving directions with large sweeps of her arms.