Angus snorted, and Selina giggled nervously. Callum poured a small amount of the liquid into a glass and took Selina’s place beside Penelope. He put the glass into her hand and when she didn’t seem to notice it, lifted it to her lips. She drank and then coughed, but drank again, on her own this time. Then she leaned back and closed her eyes.
“Does this happen often?” Callum asked, not taking his gaze off Penelope.
“Not often. Not as often as it used to,” Selina said reluctantly. “And when it does, it is usually because of some upset caused by her brother. She just needs a moment to—to gather herself.”
Everyone watched, holding their breath. When Penelope’s eyes opened, Callum was glad to see they were more alert, and she looked about her with surprise, followed by resignation. “Oh,” she said with weary sarcasm, “it wasn’t a nightmare then.”
Callum smiled with relief and said, “And there you are, my bonny lass.”
Chapter Nine
Penelope wondered howlong she had been absent. Taken back in her memory to those dark days after her parents died. It didn’t happen as often as it used to, but when it did, it could be frightening. For her as well as for those around her. She was a woman who knew her own mind, as well as being brave and forthright, and she had no trouble standing up for herself, but when Mortimer was upset with her, she fell to pieces.
It was embarrassing and infuriating, but she couldn’t seem to help it. She felt as if she was back in the past, when the coach had tipped over and her parents had died, and she had found herself alone and solely responsible for her young brother. The realization that she was all he had had been terrifying.
Now she wondered, had she failed him? Surely not. She had done everything in her power to protect and care for him, but when the moment had finally come for her to follow her own dreams and desires, she had taken it. And Mortimer had not gone without. She had scraped together the funds he needed, often going without herself, and yet he was still not satisfied. Where had the sweet little boy gone, the one who had gazed up at her as if she were the moon and the stars to him?
The bond between them had been broken. Perhaps irreparably.
Today, her brother’s fury at her, the cruel and hurtful things he had said, had once again caused her to crumble. That wasbad enough, but Callum had seen her feebleness. How was she to regain her authority as his tutor? And that wasn’t the worst of it. People in the park had been watching, ladies and gentlemen and common folk, all of them reveling in her downfall. They probably believed it was just what a woman like her deserved—How dare she try to claw her way back to respectability? And now they would all be gossiping.
She had worked so hard to put her past behind her, and although it could never be entirely forgotten, she had made some great strides. Now, through one awful moment, she had lost that hard won ground and was back where she started.
Well, it was done now. She must deal with it.
Stiffening her spine, she met Callum MacKenzie’s brown eyes. What was she going to see in them? Pity? Disgust? After she had accepted Lord Muir’s proposal, she had read both in the gaze of people she had thought her friends. But to her surprise, Callum’s were warm with concern, and she felt the turmoil inside her settle a little. Mortimer had decided his needs and wants were more important than hers, and Uncle Bertie only cared for her when she could continue to supply him with funds for his inventions. And yet here was a man she barely knew, looking at her like he was prepared to do anything to make the situation better.
It made her feel confused, rather dizzy, andhappy. A great torrent of happiness such as she had not felt in such a long while swept through her. A warm rush ofgladnessthat he was here at her side.
And—she sat up straighter—it was quite, quite wrong!
Callum was her client, and she never allowed intimacies with her clients. No matter how attractive he was, and how much she wanted right now for him to lean down and capture her lips with his. How she longed to tuck herself into his arms and hold on. It could not happen.
Besides, he was frowning now. He was probably wondering why she was staring at him so foolishly. Penelope took in a deep breath while she tried to regain her equilibrium.
Remember who you are. Remember how much is riding on your business with this man. Even if, after today, you never receive another client request, you can still make Callum MacKenzie the best that he can possibly be. Surely that is a goal to aim for?
She found her voice. “I apologize for my brother. He has made us the subject of gossip, and I have no doubt the tale will soon be everywhere. That is not helpful to either one of us. But I am willing to press on with your lessons, if you are happy to allow me to do so. Perhaps we can start afresh tomorrow, MacKenzie?”
He looked thoughtful, and then, to her relief, he nodded briskly. “I am happy with our arrangement. And as I am already the subject of gossip, a wee bit more hardly matters. Tomorrow it is then, Miss Armstrong.”
Relieved, she managed a smile, which he returned. He really was such a handsome man, and that observation wasnothelpful.
Penelope stood up and looked around her at the room. Where was she again? Oh yes, the Countess of Strathmore’s London home. Selina had risen too, taking her lead from Penelope and preparing to leave, but she looked concerned.
“Are you sure you are well enough?” she said quietly, and then seemed to think better of it when Penelope shot her a warning look. “Of course you are!” She gave a nervous laugh. “What am I thinking? Everything is excellent.”
At that moment, a woman Penelope assumed to be the Countess of Strathmore opened the door and then stood staring at them all in amazement. “Hocking said there was a plague ofpersons in here, but I thought he was joking! Callum, explain yourself.”
“Hocking made a joke?” Callum asked with pretended incredulity. Then, seeing she was not amused, hurried on. “I apologize, Aunt Jennie, but as you know, we were at the park, and Miss Armstrong was indisposed. I knew you would not mind if I brought her here to recover. Which she has.”
The two of them exchanged a look, and then the countess gave Callum the sort of smile that always made Penelope’s heart ache. A loving smile, an understanding smile, the smile of a parent to a child—or in this case, an aunt to a nephew. A smile she would never receive again in her life.
“Miss Armstrong,” the countess spoke warmly, “despite the circumstances of your visit, I am glad you are here. Do tell me how my nephew’s lessons are progressing. Have you pulled him into ship shape, as my husband would say?”
Penelope was still shaken, but this was not the time to appear weak. She wrapped her famed serenity around her inner disquiet and answered confidently.
“The marquess will be in ship shape very soon. A few more lessons and he will be ready to appear at your ball in his honor. I am sure there will be ladies aplenty eager for his addresses.”
