If He's Tempted (Wherlocke #5)

Dobson got up and reached for his coat. After shrugging it on, he walked to the door and bellowed for someone named Jack. He told the tall, handsome young man who came running to get together ten of their men and a carriage or two for prisoners before shutting the door and returning his attention to Brant and Olympia.

“One thing you have not mentioned is what you plan to do with the children that will be taken out of there tonight,” said Dobson, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

“I will take them with me to start with,” said Olympia.

“Could be a fair number of them.”

“I have a big house and I doubt most of them will remain for long. Three have homes to go to although I believe young Noah should not return to the family townhome,” she added, glancing at Brant.

“No. He will stay with me and Thomas as will Ned and Peter,” said Brant.

“There are orphanages, workhouses and the like for the children,” began Dobson, his distaste for such places clear to hear in his voice.

“And we both know what they are like most of the time,” said Olympia. “No, I will deal with the children.”

Dobson shrugged. “I suspect many of them will just run off once we arrive.”

“Oh, no, I do not believe so. You see, they are chained to the beds.”





Still reeling a little from how quickly Dobson had gotten his men ready and headed to Dobbin House, Olympia stood beside Pawl as she watched the man lead his men into the place. Dobson, with his talk of orphanages, workhouses and the like, had seemed unconcerned about what happened to the children after he got them out of Dobbin House but Olympia had known the pose was a lie. Dobson probably cared too much having suffered in a few of those places as a child.

The smashing of the door was sweet music to her ears. After what she and Brant had told Dobson, he had placed his men in strategic spots all around the house and they were soon catching the escaping patrons. Outraged cries from some of the ones who thought themselves far too important to suffer this sort of treatment soon filled the air. She cared about none of it, her gaze fixed upon the door where the children would soon come out.

“’Tis rather demeaning to be hiding in the carriage this way,” said Brant, his words a little muffled by the curtains pulled shut to hide him.

“You are too well known, m’lord,” said Olympia.

“Someone might recognize you.”

“I truly doubt that as I go about very little in the city, attend few societal events, and am dressed like a man. Ah, here come the children.”

And it broke her heart to see them. Most of the ones being led out clutched tightly to their blankets, looking dazed and fearful. Most of them were also very young, the boys far outnumbering the girls. A few of the girls looked as if they were past puberty but Olympia doubted it was by much.

She stood up a little straighter when Dobson led four boys over to her. It was not hard to recognize little Henry because he stared at her with wide eyes filled with shock and hope and when she held her hand out, he rushed to her side and grabbed hold of it. The three other boys watched her warily after Dobson left them with her.

“The earl waits for you in the carriage,” she said and the recognition in the eyes of all three boys told her they had found the right ones. “Thomas is waiting at my home.”

While the other boys attempted to slip into the carriage without exposing Brant to any prying eyes, she reached down and lifted Henry up into her arms. When the boy wrapped his arms around her neck and tucked his face up against her throat she had to swallow hard several times to keep from crying. She would give him awhile to recover before pressing him for more information about his parents.

“Carriages are loaded up with the children,” said Dobson, who had willingly lent his men to drive the extra carriages that would be needed. “Near thirty of them although the older lasses are already speaking of going home. Are you certain you want them all at your home?”

“They need a place to sleep for at least tonight, but perhaps more. They need clothing, food, and so forth. It will be fine, Master Dobson. One thing the Warren is accustomed to is being packed full of children. We can sort out who they are and if they have somewhere else to go later.” She nodded toward the wagons filled with the men and women from inside Dobbin House. “What happens to them?”

“Aside from filling the pockets of me and my men, I see a few transportations, one or two hangings, and a lot of new residents of Newgate who will get a fine, warm welcome from the inmates once it is known what they did for a living.”

“Other criminals will find what these men did wrong?”

“Not all, but enough to make life miserable. A lot of the criminals sitting in Newgate were once poor wee lads who could be bought and sold for a pittance at any time and they all loathe the men who deal in it. Be sure to let me know if the children tell you anything of importance. I will be certain to let you know if we have anyone looking for any children. You take care, m’lady.”

“Are you ready to come to my home, Henry?” she asked the boy still clinging to her.