Page 91 of Ghost of the Ton

“Ha!” he said, taking a seat. “I knew I’d get ye to smile. Will I pass for an English gentleman?”

“No.”

His smile disappeared and she placed a hand on his arm.

“I meant no disrespect,” she said. “English gentlemen care only for a pretty face, a title, and a dowry. Whereas you…”

“Whereas I,” he said, taking his hand, “only care for a dowry.” He shook his head. “What must ye think of me?”

“I think you’re very kind to walk me home.”

Mia glanced at his hand, where fresh callouses adorned the skin of his fingers.

“You’re hurt,” she said, rising. “I’ve something that would ease the soreness in your skin.”

She approached the shelves and picked up the jar of calendula salve, then she uncorked the jar and held it out.

“Smell it—it’s a pleasant aroma.”

He sniffed at the contents. “Is that what ye use on Ma? It disnae smell the same.”

“No,” she said, taking down another jar and uncorking it. “I use this for your mother.”

He leaned over and inhaled, then jerked back, his eyes widening. “Devil’s ballocks! What was that?”

“Do you not like it?”

He sniffed, more tentatively. “It’s not unpleasant,” he said, “but it’s like nothing I’ve ever known.”

“What is it like?”

“Warmth,” he said. “And…freshness.”

“Anything else?”

“I dinnae know how to say it without giving offense—but it reminds me of Mrs. McBride’s mutton stew.”

She smiled. “Does Mrs. McBride put rosemary in her stew?”

“Devil take me if I know, lass, but I think she has some in her garden.”

“And it’s the very same garden from which she permitted me to take a few sprigs,” Mia said, corking the jar. “The other thing you can smell is the ginger root.”

“The what?”

“Don’t you recall the ginger that Dr. McIver sent me?”

She caught a flash of resentment in his eyes before the smile returned. “And ye asked him to send it to help Ma?”

She nodded. “The ginger has a warming property that soothes the skin, and the rosemary alleviates aching muscles. I use it when I’m giving your mother a massage.”

He nodded. “Ma mentioned it—she said she’s never felt such relief from the aches in her bones.”

“She’s very kind.”

“No,” he said. “Ye’re the one who’s kind. I wonder if…” He hesitated, his color rising. “I wonder if ye might show me what ye do with it?”

“Do you have an ache that needs soothing?”