“No. They wouldn’t leave without me. They must be around.”
He checked his pocket watch. “They’d better hurry.Princess Alicesails in less than twenty minutes for the Moonlight Trip back to London.”
“Are you going to take it?”
“Yes, that was my tutor’s plan.”
She moved closer to him as a chill seeped into her. “Mother won’t be pleased. It’s not the first time I’ve got lost.”
“May I give you a piece of advice?”
“Do I get to choose?”
“Spend less time studying. Instead, try to enjoy life a little bit more. You won’t regret it. You’re too young to do nothing but study. Live a little. Try different things. Tell lies. Steal something. Kiss a stranger. There’s plenty of time to become a serious adult.”
She waved a hand between them. “You should do the opposite. Read more and spend less time playing pranks on unaware ladies. You won’t regret it, either.”
He lifted a shoulder. “One day. Maybe.”
“Edith.” A familiar voice came from behind Edith.
She turned around to see Mother running towards her with Marianne.
“Mother.” Edith waved in relief.
“Where have you been?” Mother crushed Edith in a hug. “I was frantic with worry.”
“You ninny.” Marianne hugged her, too. “We didn’t see anything of the gardens because we were too busy searching for you.”
“I’m so sorry. I got distracted reading and lost you.” Edith could bet her mother would give her a piece of her mind later when they were alone.
“May I ask who this gentleman is?” Mother angled her head towards Perry.
He bowed from the waist. “Enchanté, madam.”
Enchanté?
“I’m Lord Peregrine St. George.”
Marianne blushed. Mother looked stunned.
“Lord Peregrine, are you the brother of the Earl of Ravenscroft?” Marianne asked.
“I am he, Miss Winkworth.”
“Lord Peregrine was kind enough to escort me here,” Edith said.And shock me.
Mother and Marianne curtsied.
“Thank you for taking care of my daughter, Lord Peregrine,” Mother said.
“It was my pleasure, madam,” Perry said. “Shall we head for the port? I have to boardPrincess Alice.”
“So do we.” Mother took Edith’s arm. “We’ll sail together.”
Perry smiled again, and Edith didn’t mind.
