Read Sari Robins - [Andersen Hall Orphanage 05] for Free Online Page B

not?”
    Abigail lifted her chin. “Will not. Not for the likes of you.”
    “Why, you impertinent wench!” Carlton hissed.
    Two more sets of feet came scrambling down the lane, sending pebbles flying.
    Seth raced toward her. “Miss Abigail! Miss Abigail! They say you’re leaving!”
    Felix charged after his brother. “Seth! Come back here!”
    Seth slammed into Abigail’s skirts. “Tell him it ain’t true!”
    Without thought Abigail corrected, “It’s not true.”
    Turning toward his brother, Seth jeered, “See! I told you she wouldn’t leave!”
    Abigail’s heart dropped. “Oh no, that’s not what I meant.”
    Lord Steele turned and looked down the path. “Where are the footmen that are supposed to be keeping an eye on you? You’re never supposed to be left unattended!” Fury interlaced his voice, causing Seth to clutch at Abigail’s skirts.
    “Unruly lads!” Carlton’s eyes were filled with aggravation, and his lips curled in distaste. “This is house business, and the two of you don’t belong here!” Carlton grabbed Seth by the shoulder and yanked him away from Abigail.
    Seth shrieked, swinging his arms in defense. A fist landed on Carlton’s middle.
    “Why, you disobedient pup!” Carlton shook Seth, hard.
    “Ow!” Seth cried in obvious pain.
    Fury engulfed Abigail. “Unhand him!” Stepping over, she wrenched Carlton’s hand off Seth’s shoulder and twisted his wrist around so that the man’s whole body was forced to follow. The butler collapsed on his knees with a yelp of pain.
    Leaning forward, Abigail hissed in Carlton’s ear, “If you ever lay a hand on him again, you’ll be the finest one-handed butler in all of London!”
    “You’re hurting me!” Carlton cried.
    Disgusted, Abigail shoved him away, and he collapsed on the ground whimpering and clutching his wrist.
    Silence filled the park as everyone’s eyes landed on Abigail.
    Lord Steele exhaled softly. “You are definitely not what I expected.”
    “I can say the same for you,” Abigail retorted, shocked by the fury, now lit, that blazed within her. It filled her with a fire that made her want to scorch the earth with righteous vengeance.
    Two burly footmen came racing up the path. “Sorry, m’lord. We told the lads not to leave the house.”
    Looking down at Seth, Steele declared, “You cannot leave the house unattended. Do you understand me?”
    “He wasn’t unattended.” Felix stepped up beside his brother. “He was with me.”
    Steele furrowed his brow. After a moment, he nodded. “You’re absolutely right. I wasn’t being fair.”
    Abigail blinked, surprised.
    Lord Steele squatted down and spoke to Seth. “The new rule in my house is that neither of you leaves without being attended by at least two adults. Do you agree?”
    Abigail could hardly conceal her astonishment that Steele would ask the boys to agree and not simply make his edict and expect it to be followed without question.
    “Can Miss Abigail be one of the adults?” Felix asked, his eyes seeking hers.
    Her heart twisted with the agony of deserting these two children.
    Steele nodded. “Yes.” His gaze met hers, and she was shocked to see a hint of admiration shining in his dark eyes. “I believe she’s proven herself handy in a pinch.”
    Seth preened. “Then I agree!”
    “Me, too,” Felix declared.
    “Then we have a deal.” Extending his hand, he shook hands with each boy with dramatic solemnity. “Now please go back to the house with Foster and Claude before your grandfather worries.”
    “But we want to be with Miss Abigail!” Seth wailed.
    Steele rose. “Miss Abigail will be joining you for dinner in a moment. You must dress first, though. She would be most disappointed if you showed up for dinner in your shirtsleeves.”
    The lads looked to her for confirmation, and she hadn’t the heart to tell them the truth. They’d learn soon enough. “Go along, boys.”
    Steele’s smile was tight. “See. Now please return to the