“Good afternoon, miss.” Mr. Montague stopped in front of her and took off his hat.
“Sir.”
“Apologies for the intrusion, but I’m looking for my charge, a tall boy with dark hair and blue eyes in a dark suit with a green waistcoat. Have you seen him?”
“I…” She glanced at the bush. “No, sir. Sorry.”
Mr. Montague sighed. “Thank you, miss.” He left, muttering under his breath.
“Thank you.” The boy came out of his hiding place when Mr. Montague was out of sight.
Edith frowned. “I never lie. You made me lie.”
“Everyone lies.” The wind ruffled his unfashionably mussed hair, but the style suited him. “Anyway, I should escort you wherever you’re going.”
“Not necessary.” Besides, her destination was debatable.
“A gentleman is supposed to escort a lady, I think.”
“Yes, but I’m not sure gentlemen are supposed to climb trees or lie to their tutors.”
He put a hand on his chest. “Ouch. You hurt me, miss. I’m a sensible soul.”
“You mean sensitive. I don’t believe you’re very sensible.”
“I won’t get offended.” He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “We started off with the wrong foot. May I introduce myself?”
She rose on her tiptoes to see past him if Marianne and Mother were in sight, but he was a tall one. “I have the feeling that, no matter what I answer, you’re going to introduce yourself.”
“I am Peregrine St. George, at your service.” He bowed from the waist, causing his black curls to form a curtain over his face.
St. George. She stopped searching around. “Are you related to the Earl of Ravenscroft?”
“Hell… I mean, yes! Albert, the earl, is my brother.” He offered her his arm. “May I have the honour of escorting you, miss… ?”
Dash it. If Mother learnt Edith had been rude to an earl’s brother, she would never hear the end of it. Also, admittedly, Lord Peregrine was being nice to her.
She slid her arm through his. “I’m Miss Edith Winkworth, my lord.”
“Please, call me Perry. Everyone does.” He smiled as they resumed walking. “Where are you heading?”
“Actually, I lost my mother and sister. I was looking for them.”
He eyed the book. “A wild guess, but did you lose them because you were reading?”
“Yes, I did.” She stopped at a crossing.
These paths looked all the same. Bushes and gravel everywhere.
“Why did you come here if you wanted to read rather than take a walk? People come to the pleasure gardens to promenade.”
“And climb trees?”
He nodded. “Climbing trees puts us in contact with nature.”
“Tell me the truth. What were you doing up there?”
He exhaled. “You lost your mother and sister by accident. I lost my tutor on purpose. I was hiding through the branches, waiting for him to pass.”
