“Yes,” she whispered. “I wanted to make sure everything was…”
Kimpton was out of his chair and sweeping her up in his arms, kissing her. Something Harlowe certainly didn’t need to witness.
Besides, Harlowe had the same sudden urge, rushed out of Kimpton House, and straight to the stables for his horse.
Thirty-Six
T
he cool air was crisp and perfect. Maeve’s picnic was a smashing success. “Mary, would you pour out more tea, please?”
“Aye, Lady Maeve.” Mary’s face flushed with pleasure. She’d taken the request as the great honor Maeve had intended.
This had been an excellent idea. Even with the staid Baird maintaining strict guard near the carriage and Niall pacing the ground nearby.
Maeve accepted her cup from Mary and looked at Melinda. “I was curious about something, Melinda?”
“Wot, ma’am?”
Maeve took a sip of her tea. “Why did you run from me that afternoon near Trotter’s?” The question had been bothering her for days.
“Oh, I weren’t runnin’ from you, m’lady.” She seemed genuinely distressed. “It were the gentleman.”
“Harlowe? Why on earth would you run from—”
“No, no. Not his lordship. The popinjay—”
The hair on Maeve’s neck raised. “Where’s Penny?”
Melinda squinted off in the distance. “She were looking at the water, ma’am.”
Dear heavens. Maeve hurried to her feet and dashed for the Serpentine. What had she been thinking to set their picnic so temptingly near the water yet not close enough to allow for the water’s curiosity?
Penny was standing at the edge.
“Penny!”
“Look, Lady Maeve, I can sees meself.”
Maeve grabbed her arm and shook her. “Don’t ever frighten me like that again. You could fall in and be dragged down to the bottom.”
Astonishment, then hurt, filled her eyes. “But I was jus’ standin’ here.” She jerked her arm free and ran.
Maeve’s own gaze blurred with tears. She’d handled things all wrong. She knew her fear of drowning was irrational. Niall and Baird had been close enough to help if Penny had needed it.But no one had been able to help Caroline.
She owed the child, not only an apology but, an explanation. She marched after her, determined to make things right. She’d just reached the walk that led out of the park when she spotted a large man holding Penny’s arm. A familiar looking man. “Penny!” Maeve took off in a run.
Footsteps pounded behind her.
Penny fought Mr. Jervis’s grip valiantly, but she was too small. He turned and tossed her in the carriage.
“You bastard,” she screamed. “Let her go.” Maeve threw herself at him, beating him with her fists.
“Stop it, you fool woman.” He shook her with a violence that rattled the brains in her head. Still, she kicked and struck out with every breath in her body. “It ain’t you I want. Take off before anyone’s the wiser.”
“Penny. Jump.”
His fist knocked her silly, but she held fast. He wasn’t taking Penny anywhere. Not without her.
