Page 28 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
“We came upon him when he was running toward the water,” Lord Inverray said, reaching to pat the boy on the back but stopping. Steven did not like to be touched. “He was a little agitated to be thwarted, but Firthwell proved to be handy with converting political tracts into something useful.”
“But he could have fallen in. He could have been hurt.” She hiccupped and desperately shoved a fist to her mouth. “It would have been all my fault.”
Without a word, Finlay wrapped an arm around her shoulders and turned her away. He led her to a nearby bench and encouraged her to sit. Settling into the spot next to her, he stayed silent while she willed her emotions back into order. Watching Steven continue to frolic on the shoreline under the watchful eye of Lord Inverray, who seemed not at all put out to find himself as a nursemaid, calmed her nerves.
“I’m sorry,” she finally whispered.
“For what?”
Charlotte cringed.“For losing sight of him. For becoming emotional.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him frown. “From my limited experience, children are devilishly quick. I was always ducking my tutor to run off. I’m glad Inverray recognized him and we could intervene before he found trouble.”
“You wouldn’t have had to intervene if I had paid better attention.”
“What exactly were you doing when he ran off?”
She dipped her head. “Two of the girls were upset to witness a sparrowhawk fly off with a squirrel.”
“So you were comforting them?”
“Yes.”
“You weren’t gossiping with Lady Flora or reading a book in the shade?”
Charlotte scowled. “Of course I wasn’t.”
“Of course you weren’t,” Finlay said with a smile. “I would never have believed such behavior of you because you are a dedicated, thoughtful teacher. If I know this of you after such a short acquaintance, I’m certain Inverray and Lady Flora do as well.”
Biting her lip, she looked toward Steven. “I was so frightened.”
“I’m sure.” Finlay squeezed her hand for a fleeting moment before he released it. “But as you can see, Steven is hale. And obviously having a grand time.”
A quick glance revealed the boy standing in the shallows, kicking his legs. For his part, the marquess merely observed the boy, a small smile flirting with his mouth. “We should probably rescue his lordship before Steven soaks the both of them. They’ll be frozen through.”
A wry grin brightened Finlay’s face, and he shook his head. “I’d say he can handle a few more minutes of young Steven’s company.”
“Let’s hope, my lord, or I fear he may decide to sack me, and then who would oversee your next teatime with the distinguished young misses of Little Windmill House?” she said, arching a brow.
He crinkled his forehead in consideration and met her gaze, all seriousness. A moment later, he burst into laughter. Despite herself, she laughed with him.
…
When the color slowly started to stain her cheeks again, Finlay released a pent-up breath. He’d never seen Charlotte so shaken as she had been when she came racing to the shoreline. Although he hadn’t said anything to her, it was obvious the child would have charged into the cold waters if they had not stopped him.
But she was already distraught over losing the boy, and he certainly didn’t want to add to her distress. He could also admit, and only to himself, that it was strangely refreshing to see her disassembled. Charlotte was always so composed. In control. Perfectly stoic. To witness her so frantic, and over one of her young charges, made him want to gather her into his arms and stroke her back in comfort.
“Lady Flora is never going to invite me to accompany her to the park again.”
He smirked. “Ah, so that’s why you’re here. We only cut through the park so Inverray could see his sister.”
“I’m so glad you did. My mind refuses to fathom what could have happened to Steven otherwise.”
He studied her profile. “Are you always this passionate about your charges?”
A frown darkened her expression. “Of course. These children deserve my passion. My attention. The very best I can give them.” Charlotte wrung her hands as she watched Steven launch a new paper vessel Inverray had just constructed for him. “Their lives have been more tragic than you can imagine, and they should no longer have to question that they’ll be safe and loved.”
“Were you a child who felt safe and loved?”
