cynical. I would have thought that someone who helps create families for orphans would have a little more faith in people.”
His eyes slid away, focusing somewhere on the floor behind her. “Actually, it does the opposite. When it comes to orphans, most people aren’t as kind and compassionate as you are. I know that from personal experience.”
Trying to determine from his expression if that comment meant what she thought, Cecilia refused to let the moment pass without finding out a little more about him. “You’re an orphan, too?”
His jaw tightened. “Yes. And no, I don’t want to talk about it. Believe me when I say that I know what they’ll face in life. And it isn’t always nice, even if they do find a good home.”
Cecilia glanced at the children again, her heart aching for them and for Simon, for the pain in their lives that she didn’t understand. She couldn’t imagine the kind of hurt the little ones had felt over and over as they’d continued on the orphan train, stop after stop, without being chosen. “Well, I still think that Eleanor and Robert will handle those three without a problem. You’ll see. It will be one of the orphan train’s most inspiring success stories.”
Simon shrugged and crossed muscular arms over his broad chest. Cecilia squeezed her eyes shut as she turned away, chiding herself for noticing such things. She had a sure path before her and letting her heart hope for the love of a man who was leaving soon wouldn’t serve her purpose well. She had to stay unemotional while she fulfilled her commitment to help with the visits. Even if Simon was terribly handsome. In a brooding, gruff sort of way.
Clearing her throat, Cecilia kept her eyes focused anywhere except on him as she moved the conversation to a safer topic. “What kind of help will you need from me for the next few days?”
“Tomorrow, I’d like to visit Mr. Hartley. I didn’t get a chance to meet him and after what happened with Charles, I don’t know if I trust him with Patrick. I’d like to go get a feel for the situation now, rather than wait for our official visit in several weeks.”
Cecilia was about to answer when her sisters, Cat and Coralee, called to them from across the room. The two made a striking pair. Coralee always had a regal bearing and exuded complete confidence. And then there was Cat. Their youngest sister was small and delicate, with a perfect figure that would make any eastern socialite jealous. She had the most animated face Cecilia had ever seen and she was effortlessly delightful in public. Of course, her sisters had experienced her mood swings, but few other people saw anything but perfection from Cat. As much as she loved her sister, Cecilia had always thought it was rather sickening.
After her sisters greeted her with hugs, Cecilia nodded in Simon’s direction. “This is Simon McKay, the placing agent. Simon, you met Cat yesterday. This is our other sister, Coralee Hadley.”
Simon nodded in greeting to her sister, then stepped back as Coralee took one look around the room and started grinning. “Cecilia, this is wonderful. Have the children all found homes?” Since adopting twins Louisa and Phillip, Cecilia’s older sister had a soft spot for adoptions. She had been as excited as anyone when they’d found out the orphans were coming to Spring Hill.
Glancing toward the front, Cecilia noticed for the first time that only Charles remained. His head hung low and no one seemed to be paying any attention to him. A wave of helplessness washed over Cecilia. He had been so worried about not being chosen and now his fears might become reality.
Turning to find Simon still behind her, Cecilia grabbed his arm. “Simon, Charles is all by himself up there. What if no one wants to take him?”
His eyes slid closed as a pained look crossed his face. Cecilia wondered if he had felt the hurt of being overlooked in favor of other children. She certainly knew what it felt like to live in someone else’s shadow. Her spine straightened. She wasn’t going to let that happen to such a sweet little boy. But as she took a step toward him, Coralee spoke up. “We can’t have the little fellow left out. I’ll go talk to him.” Waving across the room, Coralee got the attention of her husband, Jake, and gestured for him to join her. Together, they went and spoke to Charles in low tones.
Simon’s eyebrows rose. “Are they interested in adopting more children? I don’t want him to get his hopes up if they’re only being nice.”
Resting her fingers on her chin, Cecilia tried to think back, to remember if Jake or Coralee had said anything about taking in another orphan. Beside her, Cat giggled. “Those two can’t stand to see a child alone. I said days ago that they wouldn’t be able to resist taking home another one.”
Cecilia fought the urge to pinch her sister. Cat never seemed to think anything was noble or important. She rarely took anything more seriously than she took herself. Cecilia crossed her arms, eyes still glued to her older sister and the boy. “Well, I’m grateful that they care so much. Charles was so worried about not being chosen by anyone. But thanks to Jake and Coralee, he might find a loving home, after all.”
Cat shrugged and wandered off to chat with their aunt Lily. Shaking her head, Cecilia turned her attention back to the scene unfolding across the room.
Simon’s voice was close to her ear when he spoke. “Are they good parents? Will they treat him well?”
She turned to see him absently run one hand through his hair, displacing a few of the fashionably long strands. Her heart melted a tiny bit. He looked like one of the boys himself. Uncertain, hopeful and a little afraid. Offering a confident smile, she responded with a firm nod. “They’re the best parents. Their twins are happy, healthy and well-loved.”
He didn’t respond as they watched Coralee wrap her arm around Charles’s shoulders and follow Jake to the approval committee’s table. Cecilia couldn’t resist a happy sigh. “It looks like they’ve come to an agreement. I’m so pleased. The twins will love having a big brother.”
The room was almost empty by the time Jake, Coralee and Charles finished their paperwork and left. The men from the approval committee approached Simon and Cecilia. Mr. Collins stuck out his hand to shake Simon’s. “It seems we’ve had a successful day.”
Simon’s face was impassive. “That remains to be seen, Mr. Collins. Miss Holbrook has graciously agreed to help me with the home visits I’ll be handling in the next several weeks since the other placing agent was called away as soon as we arrived. The placements will be successful if I find all the children are in happy situations.”
Cecilia could see Mr. Collins clench his jaw at Simon’s blunt response. But he and the other committee members tipped their hats and left the building without causing a scene. Noticing that everyone else had left, Cecilia went to the closet at the back of the room, grabbed a broom and started sweeping the floor. Without a word, Simon came along behind her and moved desks back into their places. They had the schoolroom put to rights soon enough.
By the time they finished and she locked the door behind them, Cecilia was feeling the effects of the emotional strain of the day. She was more than ready to get home. Simon gripped her elbow with one hand when she stumbled stepping off the last stair. “Thank you for all you’ve done, both today and before we arrived.”
She mustered a smile through her embarrassment. “It was worth it to see those darling children find homes.”
“Speaking of homes, I’ll walk you back to yours. It’s nearing dusk and I wouldn’t feel right about leaving you to walk alone.”
A hot flush started creeping across her cheeks and Cecilia was grateful for that dusk he
