“I c-cannot feel worthy of such t-trust, Your Grace. If you will p-please excuse me.”
Palm pressed to her chest, she stood.
The gentlemen scrambled to their feet around her. Her father touched her elbow.
“Are you unwell, daughter?” Concern tensed his face.
“Humid air,” she struggled. “I need calm and moist air.”
“Allow me. I know just the place.” Leah leapt to her side, placed a hand around Viola’s waist, and led her away from the picnic.
“Whatever is the matter?” Kendall asked behind Viola.
“’Tis nothing to worry upon, Your Grace,” Dr. Brodure replied. “Just the same touch of asthma that my daughter experiences from time to time.”
Kendall’s reply was lost as Leah led Viola toward a path that angled along the gorge. They walked through the trees to the edge of the ravine. The sound of rushing water, leaves rustling, and the smell of damp, green ferns and sycamore trees engulfed them.
Leah urged Viola to sit on a seat cut into a rocky outcropping. Viola did so with relief, hand pressed to her chest, eyes closed.
The air hung with humidity this close to the river. She took in deep, measured breaths.
Slowly . . . the crushing tightness in her lungs eased, the symptoms of an imminent attack retreating.
Thank goodness she had acted in time.
“Better?” Leah asked.
Viola nodded.
“How goes it?” A familiar voice asked.
Viola opened her eyes to see Malcolm walking toward them, kilt swaying, concern pleating the corners of his eyes.
The sight of him loosened the vise banding Viola’s chest that much more.
“I’m much improved.” She smiled weakly. “Just doing my best impression of a fainting wallflower.”
That earned her a grimacing grin.
Leah frowned at her brother, peering at the path behind him. “Where’s Ethan? I would have thought he would come to assist Miss Brodure.”
“Och, Kendall’s got him cornered, demanding his opinions on theblightof the poor and how, if Her Majesty were to knight Ethan, he would use his position to further Kendall’s politics.”
Malcolm’s scathing tone and the twist of Leah’s mouth left no doubts as to their feelings on Kendall’s ‘politics.’
Voices rose from the folly up the path.
“How did this entire picnic go sideways so quickly?” Leah asked, and then snapped her fingers. “That’s right. A duke is involved. And I thought Westhampton was bad. I owe that man an apology.”
“Go on back tae your guests, Leah. Ye are needed there.” Malcolm nodded toward the folly. “I will ensure that Miss Brodure comes tae no harm. We are out in the open here where anyone can see us, so there will be no scandal in me remaining here.”
Which is how after a whispered exchange between the siblings, twoare ye sures?, and a lingering concerned glance from Leah, Viola found herself in the sole company of Malcolm Penn-Leith.
12
Malcolm stared down at Viola. She sat on the rock bench, pale but breathing more easily.
He hated that Kendall’s tactless words and the anxiety of so many eyes watching had landed her here.
