Lottie looked down at Anne's eyes that seemed to plead with her as if Lottie herself could fix this. This gentle soul was caught between the comforting brutality of the Ward family and tantalising potential of the Blackes.

Damn ye Ben Ward! Lottie silently cursed the man she deemed responsible. Damn ye fer makin' me feel this. If ye were a better man, a better father, this poor girl wouldn't be adrift.

"I don't know, dear. The law is the law and yer da broke it. We'll have ta wait an' see." the older woman answered. "Til we know more, ye stay with us. As the doctor said, I am yer guardian."