That made him pause. “And you decided to come here and call me out, alone? What if I had been the blackmailer?”
Penny’s eyes widened. “I suppose Clarissa and I have a bit more in common than I sometimes admit. I’ve gotten used to solving my own problems.”
He shook his head. “Fortunately for you, I want nothing more than to keep Clarissa safe. She means the world to me.”
Penny’s smile softened. “You affect her too.” Then she frowned. “Or perhaps, you had the exact opposite effect. All the guards she carefully keeps up around her have slowly been slipping down but yesterday…” She paused, drawing in a shaky breath, “They all came flying back up.”
Mason clenched his fists under the table. He had to remain his usual cool self. “Her normal walls. She’s always guarded?”
Penny nodded. “She’s never liked to talk about her past…before the orphanage. I know her father is a painful memory, but after all these years, I still don’t know why.” Penny paused pressing her mouth together. “She indicated you might know something about that. And now with this,” she gestured toward the letters, “it’s even more important she opens up.”
His brows went up again. He wasn’t the only one seeking information. “She didn’t tell me much. Just that her father gambled away every penny and then took his own life.”
Penny grimaced. “I’d puzzled out that much myself. Though she must have had some money. She paid for our carriage fare back to London.” Penny’s brow furrowed. “Is she ashamed because he committed suicide? Father Byron was forever telling her Mr. Hershel would burn in hell for such a sin.”
“She said something about him spending her money too.” Mason leaned forward. “Did she have money of her own?” How had she paid for the fare? Something niggled deep inside. He sensed this was important but he didn’t understand why.
Penny shook her head. “Oh. I don’t know.”
He scrubbed his face. He didn’t understand why that would have mattered but then again, she’d specifically mentioned it.
“What do you want with Clarissa?” Penny asked as her fingers gripped the edge of the desk.
That was blessedly simple. “To protect her.”
Penny blinked. “That’s it?”
He shrugged. “She saved my life. It’s the least I could do.” Then he cleared his throat, sensing a potential ally. “I’d marry her if she’d allow it. In that way, she’d have money and protection forever.” With this blackmail hanging over her, marriage was the easiest and best answer. His money, his title, they’d protect her reputation in a way that even Goldthwaite couldn’t.
Penny gasped. “Natty was right after all.”
“Natty?” The little orphan. The way Clarissa held her made him want to tuck Clarissa against his side and keep her there forever.
“So you want to marry Clarissa? After all this time? Because she cared for you when you were ill?”
“Well, to be fair, the marriage idea is relatively new.” As in yesterday. “I know she doesn’t need my financial assistance any longer with your match, but I could still care for her. And I could certainly protect her from this.” Mason waved his hand across the open letters. He left out the part where attraction had slammed into him like a bucking horse.
He scrubbed the back of his neck. But rather than draw her closer, he’d pushed her away yesterday. He supposed he understood Clarissa’s walls. He didn’t really want to explain that she’d been the first person he could remember to touch him with such gentle affection. That he woke in the night aching to feel her touch again.
Penny nodded. “Thank you for sharing.”
“Lady Goldthwaite.” He held up a single finger. “Tell me. What does Clarissa see for her own future?” He gave her another easy smile, wanting her to trust him. “Do I even have a chance of swaying her to be my wife?”
Penny softened, her gaze warm and understanding. “You might. What she wants most is to care for others. Run an orphanage. She talked of being a nurse. Mayhap you should convince her you need her care too.”
He raised a brow. That was it? That would be so easy. Because she needed him. And, because, he did in fact need her too. Quite badly.
Clarissa sat looking out at the grey street. She should be teaching the girls their letters. Instead, they chatted with one another as she played her conversation with Penny over in her mind.
And the events of yesterday. Because she had the nagging feeling she’d handled them both badly.
She’d lied to Baxter about her identity. When all he’d wanted to do was protect her. It wasn’t his fault she wasn’t to be trusted with his affection.
And then Penny. Clarissa had pushed her away too.
She lowered her chin onto her fist.
Three weeks ago, they’d moved into this house with Logan after ruffians had attempted to burn down their home. Logan had rescued them, then brought them to his safe home. He’d also secured financing for the orphanages they wished to open.