Was it possible she could someday give Joseph a child of his own? Even though he’d expressed his willingness to adopt homeless children, perhaps she’d one day hold their child conceived in love.

Whatever the future brought, she was learning to trust that God was with her no matter where she was and no matter how difficult her situation. She had to remind herself of that oft, especially with fresh rumors regarding her and Joseph’s relationship.

Once word of her engagement to Joseph had spread, the bride-ship women had despised her more than before. Mercy overheard their whispers and knew they believed she’d somehow coerced Joseph into a union. Most embarrassing were the rumors that Joseph felt obligated to marry her because she was expecting his child. She tried to ignore the glares and the cold silences, kept herself busy helping Joseph so that she wouldn’t encounter the women, and trusted Joseph and Mrs. Moresby’s assurances that the gossip would soon go away.

Thankfully, Miss Lawrence had been kind and asked her to live with her in an apartment. It was a temporary living arrangement, one that wouldn’t last for either of them. But for now, Mercy was thankful for a reprieve from the condemnation of the other women, the type of censure she and Joseph were sure to face in London.

They were still waiting to hear back from Dr. Bates regarding Patience. Joseph had sent a telegram over a week ago. With the distance his telegram had to travel, Joseph hadn’t expected a return message from Dr. Bates for some time. Even so, he certainly hoped to have heard from the doctor by now.

Mercy guessed Dr. Bates was having a difficult time discovering what had become of Patience. If Patience had left on the Robert Lowe, it was possible the workhouse didn’t have record of it. Worse still was the possibility Patience had died and been buried in an unmarked grave. Without solid news, or even with bad news, it was no wonder Dr. Bates had delayed.

Mercy had told Joseph only yesterday that perhaps they ought to consider marrying without word of Patience. She longed to be with him all the time, never having to part ways again. Whenever they were together, the passion between them flared with growing intensity. And while she was grateful for Joseph’s care in maintaining her integrity by visiting with her only in public places or with chaperones present, she longed to be with him, only him, and wouldn’t be satisfied until she was.

The babe in her arms squeaked and began sucking her little fist. It wouldn’t be long before Mercy would need to awaken the wee one’s mother to nurse the babe.