“Absolutely! You can count on us,” Malcolm declared and walked forward, offering his hand to Lucy. “Come with us, Lucy. We’ll find the paper.” She hurried off, following the two boys through the nearest room, and leaving Julia and Edward alone in the hall, surrounded by workmen.
“So,” Edward said and turned in a circle, gesturing to the room. “What do you think?”
“Edward.” She repeated his action, turning and looking at all that had changed. It was not only the big things that were undergoing a transformation, for small things had changed too. She spied a new grandfather clock in the hallway, and a coat stand that seemed to be filled with new coats. “This is incredible. You have done all this?”
“Yes. There is still more to be done, of course, but it is a start. Come look at this too.” He beckoned her into an adjoining room, the kitchen.
Julia stumbled to a stop, amazed at how full of food it was. Two maids were trying to put all the new food away and were struggling for places to put it all. In the cramped space, Julia stood close to Edward, aware that he was looking at her as she stared at the room.
“You bought new food too?” she asked, her smile never-ending.
“I was told you to bring food to this place when you can. Imagine my surprise when I opened the cupboards, only to be told they had just enough food for today and tomorrow. That changes now, Julia.” He turned away again. “Now, the study room.”
She hastened after him, nearly having to run for he strode so quickly and with such purpose. She felt this need to be beside him as he wandered round the orphanage, admiring what he had done.
How could he do all this?
They stopped in the doorway of the study room, watching as the children paid attention to one of their lessons. For now, the children sat at the front with the teacher, but behind them, new chairs were being brought in through a side door. When one of the children reached for a chair excitedly, climbing onto it and sitting on her knees, Julia felt her heart ache with a kind of joy.
She placed her hand to her heart, trying to soothe that feeling, as tears sprung to her eyes.
“The chairs are second hand, but I think they will do for now,” Edward whispered in Julia’s ear, so that they did not disturb the teacher doing their lesson. “What do you think? Will they do?”
When he turned his gaze on her, Julia was finding it harder to keep her tears in check. She took a deep breath, attempting to stop the tears, even as one rolled down her cheek.
She was unprepared for Edward’s next touches. Gently, he wrapped his arm around her waist and steered her away from the study room. He didn’t say anything at first, not as they crossed the hallway together, with her resting in the crook of his arm. There was something that felt strangely safe about being so close to him, as if nothing could hurt her there.
He escorted her out of a back door and into the garden. This place was still a courtyard, with some old toys stuffed into the corner. Edward grimaced as he stared at them then shut the door, turning his focus on Julia.
“I’m s-sorry,” she said, stammering through her tears. She bent her head, hating the fact he was seeing her like this.
“Never apologize for crying.” His words were soft. “Just please, tell me what is wrong, so that I may try to fix it.”
“Nothing is wrong. Quite the opposite,” she declared, still keeping her eyes averted. “Edward, I have been coming here for so many years. I cannot tell you how difficult it has been at times to see what they have gone through. Then you arrive, and you have changed their lives in one fell swoop. It gladdens me, more than I can say.”
A gentle touch to her chin urged her to look up. It was Edward’s fingers, softly encouraging her to look at him.
“These are happy tears then?” he said.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Thank God for that. I had such fear in me then thinking I had upset you.”
“Not at all. This, all of it,” she gestured madly back at the orphanage. “It is the kindest thing I’ve ever known anyone do for this place and these children. Why are you doing it?”
“We have been through this,” he said plainly. “I want to help them.”
“I know, but…” She sniffed, trying to stop more of her tears from falling. She had something to say to him, and clearly, this moment was the right time. “Sometimes I look at you, Edward, and I think you are two completely different men.”
Edward paused, not saying anything in return, though his smile faltered.
“Thisman I like, more than I can say,” she whispered the words, terrified of uttering the truth. “The man who is this kind, this benevolent.”
“You like me?” he said, his smile growing once again. “How much?”
“You are teasing me again.” She laughed.
“I am, but it worked to make you laugh through your tears, did it not?” he asked playfully.