“They make me sneeze, too.”
“And yet you’re going to get one?” she said in surprise.
His mouth twisted with wry humor. “Of course. Can you imagine my little ‘Yougotacat?’ Debo being happy without one? What are a few sneezes compared with the happiness of my daughter?”
Alice swallowed, touched by his complete willingness to endure discomfort for the sake of his child’s pleasure. For a moment, she couldn’t say anything.
He gazed back at her, his eyes darkening. His eyes dropped to her mouth, then he leaned forward, his expression suddenly intense. “Lady Charlton,” he began.
At that moment the clock in the hall chimed the half hour. Alice jumped, suddenly tense, though why she had no idea. “Speaking of your daughters,” she said hastily, “we’d better go and see what they’re up to. My cook has been preparing a feast to delight a little girl’s heart, and I’d hate us to be late.”
With a rueful look, he rose and held out a hand to help her up. She took it without thinking, though of course she could rise perfectly well unaided.
Neither of them wore gloves, and as they touched, skin to skin, a shiver ran through her: it wasn’t at all unpleasant. Quite the contrary. She released his hand and brushed her skirt down self-consciously.
“Through here.” She led the way to the back gate and the garden.
Lord Tarrant paused at the gate, his gaze taking in the wide expanse of greenery, the winding pathways, bright flower beds and mature trees. “Good lord, I had no idea there was such a large garden behind all these houses. There is no indication of it from the street, though now, I come to think of it, you can see a few treetops. It’s your own private park, isn’t it?”
“Yes, the garden is the reason my maternal grandmother bought the house. She was a countrywoman at heart, but my grandfather was much involved in politics and had to live in London for a good part of the year. This was their compromise.
“I share it with the other house owners.” She gestured to the houses that enclosed the garden square. “Several are owned by the Earl of Salcott, who lives in that large house on the corner. The old earl recently died, so I suppose his son will be taking over. Otherwise few people seem to use the garden except as a backdrop. Lucy comes out here most mornings and says she rarely sees anyone other than the occasional gardener.”
“It’s a beautiful retreat. You’re very lucky.”
“Believe me, I am very aware of it, and very grateful to Grandmama for leaving me the house in her will. Now, shall we seek out your daughters and Lucy?”
“Yes, of course.” He presented his arm, and after a brief hesitation, Alice placed her hand on it. It was warm and strong, and she tried not to be aware of it.
They walked the various pathways, looking for the children, but there was no sign of them. “They can’t wander off,” Alice assured him. “The garden is very secure, and the only exits are through the private houses that enclose the garden. And Lucy is with them.”
He smiled down at her. “I’m not worried. I’m enjoying our time together.”
They rounded a corner and saw a small figure standing alone beneath a large, spreading plane tree, staring up apparently talking to the tree. “That’s Lina.” Lord Tarrant picked up his pace. “What’s she doing on her own?”
They hurried up to her. “Lina, what’s the matter?” he said. The little girl turned, her face distraught. “I’m s-s-sorry, Papa,” she said. “I t-t-tried.” She burst into tears.
Without hesitation her father scooped her up into his arms. Lina clung to him, sobbing and trying to explain in jerky, incoherent phrases. Murmuring soothing reassurances, he held her, smoothing back her hair and rubbing her back while the little girl sobbed herself out.
The sobs slowed, but remnants kept coming in jerky bursts. Lord Tarrant pulled out a handkerchief and dried her face. “Now, do you think you can tell me what has upset you so?”
“I t-tried to s-stop them . . . but D-Debo . . . the cat . . .” She clung to his neck like a little limpet. “P-p-lease don’t send us awaaaay, Papa. We’re not hy-hydons. Truly we’re not.”
“Hydens?” Alice wondered. She glanced up into the tree and saw three faces looking worriedly down. Four faces, actually—Lucy’s, Judy’s and little Deborah’s, and in her arms, a furry-faced ginger cat.
Over the shoulder of his sobbing daughter, Lord Tarrant glanced at Alice, sending her a silent message of apology. She directed her glance upward, and he followed her gaze, closed his eyes briefly and nodded in understanding.
“Hush now, Lina,” he murmured, his voice deep and reassuring. “Of course I’m not going to send you away. I’ve just got you back.”
“P-p-promise?” Lina choked. “Even if we’re h-hydens?”
“Even if you’re hoydens, I promise.” Lord Tarrant dried the fresh burst of tears. “Now stop crying and listen to me, Lina.” He took her chin in his hand and made her look at him.
She inhaled a jagged breath and eyed him with wide, tear-drenched eyes, her mouth trembling.
In a clear, firm voice, audible to the listeners in the trees, he said, “Selina Louise Tarrant, I hereby promise you that I will never send you or your sisters away, no matter what you’ve done. Do you understand me?”
The little girl nodded.
“Good. Now, I suppose all this upset is because your sisters—and Miss Bamber—climbed this tree.”
Lina nodded. “It’s very unladylike. Only the veriest hydens climb trees—hydens are very bad girls. And before, when Grandmama caught us . . .”
“I know, you were sent away to school,” her father said. Alice’s brows shot up. Lord Tarrant nodded in grim acknowledgement. “But that’s never going to happen again.”
He looked up at the other three girls in the tree. “Let me guess, that cat was up the tree.”
Debo nodded and clutched the cat tighter. “He was lonely.”
“More like trying to escape my little monster,” Lord Tarrant murmured to Alice. “And you others followed?”
“It’s my fault, Lord Tarrant,” Lucy called down. “I encouraged the girls to climb the tree. I often sit up here to read. It’s very peaceful. I didn’t realize it was forbidden. I’m sorry. Please don’t blame the girls.”
“It’s very unladylike,” Lina repeated, parrotlike. “Isn’t it, Lady Charlton?”
Lord Tarrant turned to Alice, his eyes glinting with humor. “Well, is it, Lady Charlton?” Alice looked from him to the tear-stained child in his arms.