The commotion stirring around the area concerned Jacob. He tapped lightly on the carriage and called out to his mistress. "My lady, I hate to disturb you, but there seems to be smoke coming from the area where the mill is. If it's all right, I'll see if I might assist."

The silence sent a shiver down his spine. "My lady?"

Pulling open the door, he found only her fancy gown laying on the leather seat and became alarmed. Where was she? And what was she wearing, if her clothing was here? Holding his hat in his hand, he rushed about the area closer to the mill but could not see Lillianna anywhere. His heart sank. Running back, he jumped to the top of the carriage and headed toward the estate, hoping to gain help before something tragic happened.

* * *

Darby took the stairs, heading back to his bedroom, planning on bringing Lillianna down for some breakfast. Hungry or not, he would insist she at least try to have a few bites.

The empty bed did not alarm him, at first, but when he stopped at the kitchen and no one had seen her all morning, he moved more earnestly. His lovely Lily seemed to attract trouble. Could she be lost somewhere in the estate?

His father. Darby moved through the house, stopping at the rooms she usually frequented, refusing to lose hope, even when she was not in the library, study, or other rooms she generally was found in. If he located his father, in all likelihood, he would find his missing wife. She enjoyed spending time with the earl.

The frail earl stood by the window in his private bedchamber, studying something outside with concern. Darby rushed forward.

"Does Mother realize you are up, sir?" he asked as he entered. "Come, let me help you back into bed. You mustn't relapse now that you are finally recovering your strength."

"Your mother is off with Jacob," the earl responded, a small coughing fit interrupting him. "Lord knows where they are going in such a rush. Where is Lillianna? I was hoping she might join me. Besides having an excellent singing voice, she reads like an angel. I envy you, my boy."

But Darby's mind was elsewhere. "I have no clue where Lillianna is, at the moment. I rather hoped she was in here with you—" He paused, frowning. "You say Mother left with Jacob?" He knew the coachman had recently taken his wife to town several times, some of them with his consent. Was Lily with them? Or was she in town? He thought of the last time she'd gone in and inhaled sharply.

"The mill!"

Suddenly, Darby was on full alert. Something was wrong; he could sense it. Lillianna was in danger. "If that little brat went back to the mill after I forbade her to…" He noticed his father paling and tried to make light of his concern as he rushed to help his father back to bed.

"Rest, Father. I'll return with them both. I know you are recovering, but I would suggest it is time to take my mother in hand. My patience with her is at an end for the way she treats Lillianna." With that, he left the room at a dead run.

No sooner had his horse been made ready than Darby leaped astride and rushed toward the mill at a gallop. The flames were visible from far away, and he urged his steed faster. The closer he got, the more his fears were confirmed. Women and children were huddled outside, across from the gate. They were far enough away to keep from being overcome with the noxious fumes, but their faces remained terrified.

"Dear Lord Almighty, please don't let my Lily be in that building," he prayed as he ran toward the gate. The ground floor sounded as if it was collapsing, and police barred him from getting too close. Turning, he looked for a way in and moved among the people there, out of sight of the police and firemen. None of the women bore even a passing resemblance to his bride. She was definitely not among those here.

A small child dashed from the back of the building, screaming. Was it possible that Lily was with the survivors there? As he neared the back, he could see the women and children there had fared worse than those in front. Their clothes showed soot and reeked of smoke; some bore scars indicating varying degrees of burns.

"Has anyone seen my wife, Lady Darby?" he asked, passing between those there, taking off his coat to offer to the trembling little girl who had run out from behind it and handing off a handkerchief to another.

The child who accepted his coat met his eyes in disbelief. "No, sir. No fine ladies be here." She shook her head at him, and Darby pulled the coat closer about her shoulders, noticing how she seemed to guard one limp arm. She kept her eyes glued on the burning mill. "There's a redheaded angel, though. She came because I prayed for her when I was stuck inside the loom. 'Tis all my fault, sir. I prayed to God to send me help. He sent a beautiful angel, dressed like one of us. She climbed inside the machine and freed me, even when the evil man with the stick ordered her to stop."

Darby was touched. "Tell me about this angel, sweetheart," he said gently. "Where is she now?" Darby knew of only one redhead who was obsessed with the mill, and she was his own Lily.

"I think God struck the mill with lightening, because a fire came. The angel ran from floor to floor savin' us all, showin' us the way out. She stayed inside after everyone else left. But God'll keep her safe. She's one of his own."

"God means for me to protect your angel, sweetheart. Point me to where you saw her last, and I'll find her for you."

She raised her good hand and pointed toward the window of the burning building. Darby picked her up in his arms and dashed toward the direction where the women were huddled in the front. He saw Rebekah in the front with the others, her face a mask of fear, and started toward her with the little girl. In his haste, he almost knocked over his own mother who was rushing toward the inferno, screaming Lily's name. The sound of crashing walls filled the air, and bricks were falling outward. Darby, with the child, just managed to shove his mother aside before part of the wall collapsed near them. Jacob was nearby, and Darby left them both in his charge.

"Jacob, keep my mother away from the building, I beg you. And take this little girl to wait with Rebekah, where she'll be safe."

But his mother grasped his arm as he turned to leave. "You must save her, son," she pleaded.

Darby stared, wondering at the countess' sudden concern for Lily. Had she changed? But she tugged on his arm again, insistently. "Charlie, listen to me." In the voice he hadn't heard since he'd been a child, she caught his attention. The words she spoke echoed in his ears as he moved away, "She is carrying your child."

* * *

My child…

He was still hearing his mother's voice, when he ran back toward the burning building. The firemen were not paying attention to him now, and he drew closer. He ran through the women and children fleeing, even turning them to face him so he could look into their faces, asking the question, 'Have you seen Lily?' over and over again. The women stared up at him sadly, shaking their heads.

A scream and a crash pierced his consciousness, and he turned to run behind the building once again, trying to avoid the bricks and the intense heat that was bearing down on everyone. Ahead, he saw a man, coming out with a little boy on his shoulders and ran toward him.

"I need to know if you've seen my wife?"

The man lifted the little child down and sent him toward the others. "Down ye go, Finn. I see yer sis. Go and stay with 'er yonder, 'ear?"

"Yes, Ashton."

"Excuse me—"

"I 'eard. Who might yer wife be?"

"Lillianna—you would perhaps know her as Lily Collingwood. She worked here at one time."

Ashton's face reflected fury for an instant, almost immediately changing to sorrow. "Aye, she did. And she was 'ere this mornin'—most all us owe our lives t' her bravery this day. But ye—sir! Ye need t' keep a better eye on 'er. Lily, she don't listen t' the rest of us. 'Specially me."

"Damn, man, I didn't ask for a lecture, did I? Where the bloody hell is she?"

Ashton glared back. "Wish I knew, I did. Supposed t' jump the same time as me and Finn. She didn't."

Darby's face blanched. "She didn't jump to safety?"

"Aye, she fainted and fell. They caught 'er. But don't know where she went aft. She ain't back there now. But I'm swearin', when ye find 'er, give 'er ten licks and tell her it's from Ashton. And then, 'old 'er tight."

"Trust me. I will." Darby went back toward the huddled groups of women, determined to go through them, one by one. His eyes first lit on Rebekah, with the little boy Ashton had called 'Finn' held tightly in her embrace. As he approached, he saw a woman waving toward him and realized it was his mother.

Gone was the look of desperation she'd worn earlier. Her face was full of hope and joy. She was pointing to a group of women, with children huddled close to each other, and motioning him to look.

Darby stopped, staring. There was one young woman, moving about from child to child and woman to woman, encouraging, comforting, seeing to their needs. She tried to pass out water to them, one by one, with a pitcher and dipper, and then moved to another group.

He watched her closely. Her face and hands were black with soot. Her hair hung down her back, looking thoroughly disheveled and slightly singed, but he thought it might have been red. Her clothes, he didn't recognize. But her movements of grace and tenderness toward the women and children as she ministered to first one, then the next, mesmerized him.

It was his Lillianna.

She straightened up and put her hands to her back, as if she was in discomfort. A moment later, she rubbed a hand across her cheek, smearing soot and grime, and blew a lock of curls out of her face.

She'd never looked more beautiful.

He moved slowly toward her, refusing to take his eyes from her face. Stopping six feet outside the circle of ladies, he stood patiently, until she looked up and saw him.

At first, her eyes were round and wary, but as she studied his face, a meek little smile developed.

"I love you," he mouthed.

A huge grin crossed her mouth, and she stumbled forward through the group of women and flew into his arms.

"Oh, Charlie," she whispered.

"My girl. My darling girl," he said softly into her hair." What am I going to do with you?"

In broad daylight, she stole a kiss from him, and he laughed. "Is that what you suggest?"

"Yes?"

He tilted her chin. "Tell me, sweetheart, what needs to be done here?"

She glanced at the ladies to the left. Some of them were beginning to walk toward their homes; some still could not make it that far.

"Right now, they need water to soothe their throats. Many of the children need to be taken home, my lord," she said softly. "Some of them need a doctor. They breathed so much smoke. There is a little girl named Annie, who was injured today—"

"Yes, I met her. She wishes to see you again, and I promised I'd bring you to her. She's worried. She called you her 'angel' and said God sent you to rescue her from being trapped inside the loom."

Lily looked thoughtfully up at him. "Perhaps he did," she whispered. A look of sorrow etched her beautiful face suddenly. "And there is Finnian, Rebekah's little brother. We almost missed him. He was with Ashton."

"Yes, Ashton sent him to find Rebekah, and I just saw her with him. He's all right, Lillianna."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Charlie, there is so much that needs to be done here. Their needs are so great—"

"Then, let's do what we can, Lillianna," a female voice stopped her mid-sentence.

Lily drew in a sharp gasp as she turned to see the concerned eyes of the countess before her. She looked up in disbelief.

The woman reached out, laying a hand on her arm, and smiled. "Tell me, my dear angel of mercy. Where shall I start?"

* * *

One angel becomes three…

Lily smiled with gratefulness as she watched. Darby went for the doctor and returned with him as they used the coach for the children, first, then the ladies to be seen. He sent Jacob home on his horse to bring back more groomsmen and the other coach and a light carriage, to deliver the ladies who were unable to walk to their homes. Meanwhile, he accompanied Lily as she decided who needed to be seen next.

She watched as her mother-in-law took the pitcher of water to each group of ladies, bringing out the dipper for them to drink from and speaking softly to them. Lily had not seen that kind of mercy on the countess' face since she'd arrived in England. It was amazing.

Darby took Lily by the waist and set her down outside the carriage, when, at last, the patients were beginning to thin out.

"What now, sweetheart? I see that you're watching Rebekah and little Finnian."

Lily met his gentle eyes and quietly told him the story of Rebekah's dream—to have her mother and Finn live with her. She didn't leave out the part about her wish for Finn to go to school or about the toy train that she'd bought at the Mercantile. When she finished, Darby was frowning down into her face.

"I know, sir, it seems a lot to ask, but…" Her voice became dry and trailed off as, without a word, Darby rose to his feet. She watched him as he strode toward her maid, who was not far away.

"Charlie?" she called out after him, her voice uncertain. She could see him as he approached Rebekah, but she was unable to hear what he said. A moment later, he left them.

Rebekah watched him go with trepidation.

"Oh, God. What did he say to her?" Lily whispered to herself, wishing she'd remained silent.

A moment later, however, he returned to Rebekah. Lily looked away.

A child's shriek of joy caused her to look back at Darby. He had thrown his head back in laughter, and little Finnian had wrapped himself around Darby's waist, holding on tight. When he glanced back toward where Lily sat, there was a twinkle in his eyes.

She watched in disbelief, as Rebekah's normally uncertain face gleamed with joy. She was nodding and following instructions.

Darby returned to Lily, grinning.

"Lord Darby, did you just do what I think you did?" Lily was laughing now.

He sat down next to her. "I had to discuss it with my mother first. It is her house, after all. She said we can lodge them in the cottage out by the edge of the gardens. And Finnian can go to school. Jacob will see to bringing their belongings over, this afternoon. I gave Rebekah the next three days off to get everyone settled."

"Oh, Charlie!" Lily threw her arms around him. "Have you any idea just how much I love you?"

* * *

It was late in the afternoon, when they delivered a patient little Annie to her home. Lily felt a tug at her hand and looked down to see a look of apprehension on the child's face.

She leaned down. "Annie? What is it?"

Annie bit her lip. "Miss angel, I don't know…" When she looked up again, her smile was gone. "She might not be so happy I can't work no more."

Lily looked up at Darby, on the other side.

"Annie," he said softly. "What do you mean?"

"Mr. Fenwirth sends money home 'cause I work. Since the mill is burnt, what can I do now? She…" she pointed toward the little house and whispered "…may not want me now."

Lily exchanged an alarmed glance with her husband. Darby leaned down to speak to the little girl, but at the same time, the door opened. The sounds of crying babies immediately met her ears. The woman at the door was not smiling as she looked down at the child leaning against Lily, who knelt down by her to put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"What you doin' home at this hour?" The woman's voice was curt.

"It burnt, ma'am. The mill burnt."

The woman stared, stone-faced, at Lily and Darby. "Who are you?"

Lily started to speak, but Darby held up a hand. "Your daughter is right, ma'am. The textile mill burned to the ground, a few hours ago. We brought Annie home because she was injured."

"She ain't my daughter." The woman's eyes dropped to scan the child's face. "You injured so bad you cain't work?"

Lily caught her breath. But when she spoke, her eyes were flashing, and her voice was full of antagonism. "Yes, she is. Fenwirth had her under one of the old looms. It's been there since I worked there, and it gave way and trapped her. The doctor has seen her, but—" She paused in disbelief, when she saw the expression on the face of the woman she addressed.

The woman looked down, first at the child, and then at Lily. "She ain't no good to me, if she cain't work. Take her home with you."

Annie had turned her face into Lily's shoulder and was crying now. But another hand rested on the child's shoulder, and Lily looked up into her husband's face.

"Annie? Would you like to go home with us?"

The little head nodded, but she didn't look up, and Darby lifted her into his arms. "Thank you, ma'am." His voice was harsh.

They had almost made it to the carriage, when the woman called out, "Wait! Depends. How much would ye pay? T' keep 'er?"

The little girl's legs were wrapped tightly around his waist. Lily reached out for her, and Darby set the child on the ground beside her.

"Annie, I'm going to go talk to her for a minute. You stay here with Lily, all right? I'll be right back, and then Lady Lily and I will take you home with us."

Lily brought her close as he left and felt the little arms reach around her neck. "We want you, Annie. Come and stay with us?" She tried to keep up the chatter with the little girl while making an attempt to hear what Darby was saying as he moved toward the porch. He deliberately kept his voice down so Annie couldn't hear the conversation. But a moment later, the door shut.

Darby lifted her into his arms and put an arm around Lily, guiding her to the carriage. Lifting both of them inside, he addressed Jacob privately and then climbed inside.

"She sold me. How much?" the little voice asked miserably.

"Annie," Darby's voice was gentle. "She didn't sell you. I gave her enough to make sure she didn't ask for you back. That's all. I hope you like living with us. The house is big, and we'll get you some new clothes. It's not my house, it's my father's. You can go to school and learn to read and write, and if you like, you can have piano lessons."

The little girl's blue eyes were shining and filled with hope. "I can go to school?"

"Yes, Annie," Lily said softly. Both she and Annie were grinning from ear to ear as she listened to Darby explain all the things Annie would be able to do.

Lily watched, grinning as Darby completely charmed the child. When she glanced out the window again, she realized they were not going home but were headed back to town. The area was filled with smoke, but she could recognize the Tea Room as they passed it. Going down two more blocks, they stopped. Darby stepped out and reached in to lift each of them down.

"Lady Lily, I would like for you to go inside and pick out some dresses for this young lady, while I check on a certain toy train that I can see through the window."

It didn't take long. Annie stared at the dresses and the material goods that Lily had put on the counter. Her eyes were wide with disbelief.

"Those be…fer me?" she said in a voice barely above a whisper.

"For you, Annie. You'll need new clothes to go to school."

Soon, Darby put them both back into the carriage. Annie was first, and he set her on the seat before turning toward Lily. His expression was deeply concerned.

Lily leaned her head back against the seat and fell asleep, listening to Darby's voice describing the house and wondering what she would think of it. She was hoping Annie would be happy there. But what would the countess say about them bringing home a child? Especially an injured child? She hoped they'd done the right thing.

Annie was leaning toward the window, looking out with huge eyes as the carriage slowed.

"Annie? Would you like to go inside?"

She nodded but paused when he held out his hand. "Can…I tell ye something first?" She looked back and forth from Lily to Darby.

"Of course."

"My, umm…" She took a breath. "My name ain't Annie. That's what she called me."

"She?"

"Papa's wife. She never called me by my name."

Lily leaned forward. "What is your name, sweetheart?"

The child looked up. "I don't remember. I only know it weren't Annie. Papa even started callin' me that, when she did, fore he died. I hate that name. I think Papa was scared of her."

"Then, we'll have to come up with a new one for you, won't we? One you like?" Darby was flashing his huge grin, and she smiled back.

Lily watched as her husband led the little girl up to the house, and a worried look crossed her face. A child—a nameless child—dressed in rags, injured and covered in soot was going to live with them in the house of the countess and the earl?

Oh, dear, what had they done? What would the countess say?

She prayed as the countess looked out the window at them. A moment later, the woman appeared at the front door and began to descend the steps.

Lily need not have worried. She watched in absolute disbelief as the countess approached the child and leaned down to speak to her. Darby was speaking to his mother, who suddenly held out her hand. The little girl reached out to take it, and both of them entered the house together.

Lily smiled. She was utterly weary. She was hungry, too, but at the moment, too exhausted to eat. Her eyelids were heavy, and she closed them. Silently, she said a grateful thank you and drifted off to sleep.

When she again opened her eyes, Darby was leaning over her. "Can you walk, sweetheart? Or shall I carry you?"

She blinked and nodded. "I'm sure I can." A smile crossed her face and she pushed herself upward.

Darby's huge smile down at her was exactly as it had been the very first time she met him. "I want you to know, my love, how very proud of you I am. Here." He reached down and guided her up, lifting her out of the coach and setting her on her feet.

"Lillianna?" He paused. "Are you all right?"

His voice sounded far away, and she felt herself fading. She heard his shout, just as he lifted her into his arms.