Page 49 of A Daring Pursuit

There was nothing to say to that.

“Will you tell me about your mother?” He sounded tentative. Almost shy.

Geneva’s insides softened. “She was the gentlest person who ever lived.” Wistfulness infiltrated her. Something she always seemed to experience when she thought of her mother. “There was a fragility about her for as long as I could remember.”

He guided her past the fallen turret. “What makes you believe I…” His voice trailed away.

The question was an excellent one. One she wasn’t certain she could answer, but she understood his curiosity. “There are subtle nuances I’ve noticed that remind me inherently of her. The way you tilt your head, perhaps. Mostly, I sense the same sweetness about you. Your consideration and thoughtfulness.”

He turned a sneer on her, which did nothing to dispel her of the notion. She returned it with a smile sweeter than the coffee she’d drunk.

Turning her attention away, she squinted up at the hazy sun that had muted every morning since she’d arrived in Northumberland and breathed in the briny air that tasted of rain. She stared out at the distance, where dark clouds stirred. “I think what I recall most is that swirling greatcoat. As I said, it seemed a dream. But there are details that are just so… so clear. I was standing outside our flat. I heard Mama say, ‘Take me too.’ He didn’t, obviously. And then there was Mrs. Cornett—”

“Mrs. Cornett?” His voice was colored by an inquisitiveness, not censure or doubt.

“The neighbor residing beneath us. She’s quite elderly now. She said something most curious. That I would soon have my own playmate.”

“I still fail to understand,” he said, shaking his head. “I mean, how do you know the figure in the coat was my father?”

“Ah. I found a missive she’d started, but, sadly, it was unfinished. I found it only recently,” she hurried to say. “It wasaddressed to the previous earl.” A fleeting thought of the ruby locket went through her mind, but she doubted Julius knew anything about that. Why complicate an already complicated situation? It would serve no purpose. Besides, Noah Oshea had already offered to assist her with that little issue.

Julius shook his head. “It all seems so impossible.” He stood at the edge of the cliff looking out to the open sea.

“Would you mind stepping back?” She shivered. “Even if it turns out we are not related, I don’t relish another gruesome event. One was enough, thank you.”

He turned an impish grin on her but did as she asked. “I grew up here, you know. I know these cliffs inside out.”

“Really? This is my first trek out of London. Besides Miss Greensley’s school, of course.”

“It really is spectacular.” He took her hand and tugged her after him to a trail she hadn’t noticed before that led down to the water. “The ocean is an amazing natural phenomenon,” he told her, waving out an arm. “I’d take you down to the beach, but the tide is rising.”

Curiosity gripped her. “How can you tell?”

He indicated a set of jagged rocks that pointed to the stormy sky and the foamy waves crashing against them. She half expected Poseidon himself to lurch from the depths to snatch them both from their perch on the trail. “When the tide is low, you can see the base of the closer rocks where they disappear in the sand.”

The power of the waves left her in awe. “Goodness, it’s quite mesmerizing, isn’t it?”

“Quite.” He turned and led her back up the path toward more stable ground. “So, you’re all alone now?”

Though bristling, she concentrated on her footing for the steep climb. “I have very dear friends.” The words came out defensive.Reminiscent, she thought wryly,of the sneer he justattempted.“You’ve met Lady Abra, but there are others.” They reached the top and she bent over to catch her breath.

“I sense a loyalty about you.”

She came slowly to her full height. “I would do anything for my friends.” She spoke so fiercely, he stopped and looked at her. She lifted her chin and refused to be the first to break eye contact.

A long moment passed, then he turned that impish smile on her again. “I can see that,” he said. “You appeared to be much revered by Lady Abra.”

“Yes.” Her stepmother, not so much. “Lord Westbridge has always treated me—the friendship his daughter and I share—respectfully.”

“How do you—” His face turned red. He started walking again.

His thoughts were not so difficult to discern. “Pay my rent? Buy my food? Keep myself in clothes?”

“Well, er, yes, to be blunt.”

Well, this should be fun, she decided. “I, um, occasionally write articles for the scandal sheets,” she said lightly.

“Never say so!” Genuine surprise had him gaping.

---