His voice faded into the distance as Mary walked away. She needed to move if she wanted to regain her composure, so she walked across the lawn in the direction of the lake. Her heart had still not fully recovered, its beats vibrating fiercely against her breast.
“Miss Clemens!”
Sighing, Mary thought of quickening her step to prevent the man who called to her from catching up. She really didn’t feel like facing him right now, but at the same time, she was too emotionally exhausted to bother with trying to evade him. So she turned, momentarily startled by his piercing blue gaze and resolute stride. Of all the things she needed right now, turning to goo wasn’t one of them. She straightened her shoulders and braced herself, determined to keep her attraction to him under control.
“What is it?” she said, more forcefully and more curt than she’d intended.
He drew to a halt before her. The breeze tugged at his hair, disturbing it in a haphazard way that made him look even more charming.
Oh bother!
“I want to apologize for upsetting you.” His voice was soft and gentle and oh-so tempting.
“You did not upset me. Peter did.”
“But I stopped you from confronting him, and it is obvious you did not like it.”
She crossed her arms, protecting her body from the effect he had on her senses. But it was a futile effort. Her pulse was already picking up speed, her skin warming in spite of the chill in the air.
“You’re right,” she said, latching on to his words and forcing herself to focus. “You arrived here only yesterday, and already you’re interfering in matters that do not concern you.”
He frowned. “Would you have rather I left the boy on the road?”
“No. Of course not. Don’t be stupid.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Miss Clemens, I do believe you just insulted me.”
“Yes, but you may take solace in knowing it’s not as bad as what Mr. Rivers had to endure.”
“Mr. Rivers?”
“The previous caretaker,” she explained. “I told him he was an ugly old man with a vicious character.”
Mr. Crawford stared at her a moment and then, to her utter stupefaction, he laughed. “Did you really?”
She nodded, and for some absurd reason she could not keep from smiling. “It was the truth,” she said, and Mr. Crawford laughed even harder. “I daresay I should not be chastised for being honest.”
“Oh dear God,” Mr. Crawford choked. “You really are a rare creature, Miss Clemens. Do you know that?”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
He drew a deep breath and brought his mirth under some measure of control. “Oh, it is definitely a compliment.”
“Then I thank you, Mr. Crawford, even though I’m still very cross with you.” It wasn’t really true, but she didn’t want him to think she could be disarmed with a bit of humor. “Peter gave me a terrible scare. He knows he’s not supposed to leave the house or the garden without at least informing someone, but he did so anyway only to act as if he’d done nothing wrong.”
His expression sobered. “I understand why this upset you, but can you not take a moment to think back to when you were a child? Were there not times when all you wanted was to be left alone? When you were angry or upset at the world and nothing seemed fair?” He moved a bit closer, and Mary’s breath hitched in response to the scent of leather and spice that clung to his person. “Peter lost both his parents a few short weeks ago. Life as he knew it was turned upside down from one moment to the next. He needs time, Miss Clemens, though I do agree that he must learn to show some consideration for you and your friends.”
“But he will be more likely to listen if we speak to him calmly,” Mary said.
Mr. Crawford nodded. “Connecting with him might help as well.”
“I’ve thought of that too, but I don’t know how. He doesn’t show any interest in the books I’ve suggested he read or in the games we play with the other children.” She sagged a little beneath the concern she felt for the boy. “Ensuring the comfort and happiness of all the children we’ve taken in is our primary goal. Knowing how miserable Peter is distresses me to no end, especially since I have no idea what to do in order to help him.”
“Would you be willing to let me try?”
Mary stared up at the man she’d only just met the day before and shook her head in wonder. “Do you wish to?”
He held her gaze until her stomach dipped in the middle. “Of course.” The smile that followed swept past any lingering defenses and filled her heart with warmth. “I’m ready to assist in any way I can.”
