Eleanor glanced over her shoulder as she opened the door. “Small children on the side of the road. Here in the middle of nowhere.”

Families of all sorts were experiencing horrible conditions, but who would leave children on the side of a road?

“You cannot be meaning to—”

The carriage had barely stopped when Eleanor jumped down. She strode to the children, who were standing in front a woman lying on the ground. “Good day.” She lowered herself so she was at eye level with them. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

A boy, who appeared to be the oldest because of his height, shook his head. But one of the two girls gazed up at her as if she had seen a savior and nodded. “Our mum can’t walk.”

In fact, the woman looked as if she might be dead. “I can take care of her. If you tell me where you live, I will take you there.”

“Got no home,” the lad muttered. “Mum said we had to go.”

“Your da?” Eleanor thought she knew the answer but had to ask.

Two fat tears rolled down the little girl’s thin face. “They kilt him.”

She would have to discover the whole story later. Right now, she needed to get them all warm. “In that case, there is really only one thing to do. You and your mother will come with me.” She signaled to her footman. “Turner, please carry their mother to the second coach. I’ll bring the children.”

“Is she still alive?” He looked at the body on the ground and whispered.

“I hope so.” She slid a quick glance at the woman. “We will find out soon.”

The mother lay limp in his arms and made no sound as he carried her to the carriage.

“Lady Eleanor.” Mrs. Parks stood in the carriage doorway. “I must protest. Your sister and Lord Kenilworth would never forgive me if something happened to you.”

How could anyone not help these people? Eleanor gave her companion what she hoped was a reassuring smile. She was certain everyone in her family would agree with her decision. “Everything is perfectly fine. We will be on our way momentarily.”

As she approached the second coach, the door opened. “Jobert, I need your help. Turner is bringing their mother. She is unconscious.”

“Yes, my lady.” The maid began clearing off the backward-facing seat. “He can put her here. The seat is large enough to hold the children too.”

Eleanor became increasingly worried about the mother. Her skin was almost blue. “Get her warm. If I am not mistaken, we will come to the Wheelwright Inn in about an hour, maybe a little longer. We can order a hot bath for her and fetch a doctor.”

“That’s a good idea, my lady.” Jobert helped settle the children with blankets as Turner handed them up.