“I’m not sure that would be wise.”
“Whyever not?”
“Because you love reading.” He picked up his teacup and set it to his lips. “I’d hate to change that.”
Her answering laugh was instant. “Not a chance, but I shan’t press. If you ever do feel inclined to request an honest opinion of your work, I’m happy to oblige.”
“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.” It would never happen. He’d rather die than let anyone read his stories while knowing he was the one who’d penned them.
A comfortable silence followed before she spoke next. “Your first letter to me was an unexpected surprise. You’ve never attempted to contact me before.”
“You’re right.” His gaze went to Heidi, who was curled into a tiny ball on the carpet. “I did it for Peter.”
“Of course you did.”
His gaze shot toward her just in time to catch the pained look on her face. He could have kicked himself in the shin just then. Putting doubt in her mind was the last thing he wanted. “Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m glad you and I are talking. It’s taken too long to get to this point, but I didn’t simply decide to seek you out for you alone.”
Oh, for the love of God, stop putting your foot in your mouth.
She’d narrowed her gaze and who could blame her?
He prepared to explain, but before he could find the right words she asked, “Was the apology genuine?”
“Of course it was.”
“I want to believe you, but I’m not sure I do.”
“I haven’t lied to you, Emily.” He froze at the realization that he’d foregone the use of the honorific. “Sorry. Slip of the tongue, my lady. I, um…”
Lady Emily stared at him as though trying to work out what might be wrong with his brain. Breaking eye contact, she tilted her head. A crease appeared on her brow. “Whether or not your apology was sincere, I cannot fault you for trying to make a child happy. Who is he to you?”
Callum sighed. “He’s my cousin’s son. He and his wife perished a few months ago in a fire. The will left Peter in my care.”
“Oh dear.” Lady Emily’s hand came to rest over his for a second before she snatched it away as if burned. “I’m so incredibly sorry.” Her eyes glistened. “How absolutely awful. That poor boy.”
Callum flexed his fingers. He could still feel the spark from her touch gently burning beneath his skin.
“My father’s death destroyed me three years ago, and I was already a man. I can’t imagine what it must be like for Peter. We were practically strangers, he and I, until I was asked to come and collect him. He’s my responsibility now, but I don’t know how to help. Nothing seems to offer him comfort, or at least it didn’t until we met you last week while you were out walking.
“His response to Heidi gave me hope. That’s why I’m here. The main reason, at least. Playing with her in the park the other day made an impact on him. He’s started talking more, but much of what he says pertains to future interactions with Heidi.”
“And you worried there wouldn’t be any since we made no additional plans?”
“You didn’t invite us to join you again so I thought you might have considered the outing a one-time occurrence. That’s why I’m here. Because Peter needs this.”
“You could have told me all of this yesterday when we met.” She tilted her head as if in thought. “Why didn’t you?”
“Honestly, I forgot.” He felt monumentally stupid.
She pressed her lips together as though to stifle a laugh. “That’s actually a perfectly sound excuse.”
“Later,” he admitted, “when I finally thought to send another request, I feared you might suspect me of taking advantage. Coming here in person, allowing you to get to know me a little bit better, seemed like a better course of action. One more likely to meet with success.”
“We’re speaking of helping a child.” Her voice was slightly sad, her eyes more so as they stared back at his. “Did you really think I’d refuse?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps not. I’m honestly not sure.”
She was quiet for a long moment, during which Callum prayed he’d not said the wrong thing. He watched as she drank some more tea, then as she worried her lower lip, all while holding his breath.
