Page 88 of The Scottish Duke's Deal

The child blinked then let go of Eleanor’s hand and crept forward. When she was within reach, Lady Fraser bent down and inspected her like a merchant assessing a prized gem.

“Big eyes,” she said. “Just like your father’s.”

“You knew Papa?” Penelope whispered.

“I did,” Lady Fraser answered. “And I can see him in you. I think he’d be proud of how fierce you are.”

Penelope straightened slightly.

“She’s been looking forward to meeting you,” Eleanor said, stepping closer.

Lady Fraser raised an eyebrow. “And have you, Your Grace?”

Eleanor flushed. “Yes. Very much.”

“Hmph. Come, sit.” She waved a hand at the sofa. “Both of you. Let’s pretend we’re three ladies of leisure going on a picnic.”

Eleanor smiled in spite of herself and helped Penelope onto the sofa before sitting beside her. Lady Fraser poured tea into three mismatched cups, dropping two sugar cubes into the smallest before passing it to Penelope.

“Drink it slowly, bonnie lass. This is Highland tea. It’s meant to warm you right to the bones.”

Penelope sipped carefully, nose wrinkling. “Tastes like dirt.”

“That’s how you know it’s good,” Lady Fraser replied. “Now. Tell me what you like to do.”

“Draw birds,” Penelope said promptly. “And paint flowers. And eat cake.”

“Well,” Lady Fraser said with an approving nod. “At least someone in this house has her priorities in order.”

Eleanor laughed, a quiet, surprised sound. It caught her off guard how at ease she felt. She smoothed her skirts and reached for her cup.

“I’ve never seen her so talkative before,” Eleanor said, glancing at Penelope.

“She’s observing,” Lady Fraser replied. “Children do that. They look and listen before they bloom. Ramsay was the same.”

Eleanor tilted her head. “He was?”

Lady Fraser looked toward the fire. “He didn’t speak much when I first brought him back. Just followed me around like a wolf pup with his ribs showing. But I knew better than to push.”

There was a beat of silence.

“I didn’t know that,” Eleanor said softly.

“Not many do.” Lady Fraser sipped her tea. “He wouldn’t want you to. But I suppose it doesn’t matter now. You’ve already seen more of him than most.”

Eleanor’s heart gave a small, traitorous thump. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Oh, don’t play coy. You brought this child into my sitting room like you belonged here. And she let you. Do you know how long it took Ramsay to speak to me in full sentences again? Two years.”

Eleanor’s throat tightened.

“You have a way about you,” Lady Fraser continued. “You don’t command. You invite. That’s rarer than you think.”

She turned her gaze to Penelope, who was now humming softly and drawing invisible shapes across the rug with her foot.

“Look at her. She’s calm. That’s because of you.”

Eleanor swallowed. “She’s been through so much. I just want her to feel safe.”