Time After Time Read Online Free PDF Page B

girls.’ He glanced at Penelope as he spoke and she felt her cheeks darken, as if he’d sent her a secret message. ‘And I think a game of hide-and-seek in the garden would be most enjoyable.’ Again his heated eyes locked with Penelope’s, and she felt a dull ache form in her belly.
    ‘Well, at least Penelope has some interesting hobbies,’ Harry continued.
    ‘Oh?’ Heath dragged his eyes from Penelope’s.
    ‘She likes to walk, don’t you, cousin? Walks for miles and miles. All over the countryside,’ Harry informed him. ‘Most of the time she’s doing it to visit people, providing charity for neighbours. Otherwise, I think she does it for the exercise. If not, then I really don’t know why she does it.’
    ‘Harry, you are talking about me as if I’m not here,’ Penelope said gently.
    ‘Sorry, cousin! Forgot you were, you had grown so quiet.’
    Heath looked to Penelope, and she averted her eyes only to meet Georgina’s amused blue ones.
    ‘And she paints fabulous works of art,’ Harry added. ‘They should be hung in a museum. Perhaps one day they will be.’
    ‘What do you paint?’ Heath asked.
    ‘Landscapes mainly,’ Penelope replied. ‘A few portraits as well, although they aren’t very good.’
    ‘I’d be happy to sit for you, if it would help perfect your skill,’ Heath offered.
    ‘And she plays croquet rather well, actually.’
    ‘Is that so?’ queried Heath. ‘Perhaps we can play a game one day? Whilst the weather is still fine?’
    ‘Sounds like a grand idea,’ Harry burst out just as Penelope opened her mouth to reply. ‘I will get Georgie to organise a picnic with all our neighbours. Do it soon though, Georgie, won’t you? Before the weather turns.’
    Georgina nodded, watching Heath, whose eyes were fixed firmly and appreciatively on Penelope.
    ‘I think Mr Lockwood has taken a fancy to you,’ Georgina informed Penelope as soon as they were alone. They walked the gardens of the Manor, enjoying the last rose blooms of the season.
    ‘I’m sure you’re mistaken,’ Penelope replied, hoping just the opposite. ‘I think he is only being polite.’
    ‘I see how he looks at you. He doesn’t look like that at me—nor Annie—and he is just as polite with us. No, I do believe, my dear cousin, that you have your very first admirer.’
    Penelope flushed with pleasure as she recalled Heath’s dark brown eyes and how he’d looked at her with such…She couldn’t find the right word. It wasn’t interest. It wasn’t admiration. It was something else entirely.
    ‘You like him too!’ cried Georgina, eyeing Penelope’s coloured cheeks.
    ‘How could I not? You, yourself pointed out how handsome he is. And agreeable. Many times.’
    ‘Yes, I suppose I did,’ Georgina frowned slightly before continuing, ‘but you know, I simply cannot find out anything about his family.’
    ‘It’s a delicate subject,’ Penelope observed. ‘Being an orphan must be difficult, and it’s amazing to hear he has no other kin to speak of, save a brother.’
    ‘Yes, I thought so, too. That’s why I have sent a note to my aunt in London to see what she can find out about Mr Heath Lockwood.’
    ‘Georgina, you didn’t!’
    Georgina shrugged, looping her arm around Penelope’s. ‘Of course I did. Father would not want someone of questionable character staying in our home, I am sure. And as for Mr Lockwood, well, there is no point keeping secrets—if he has any. Everyone knows secrets always come out in the end.’
    Something about the way Georgina said that made Penelope feel uneasy, her stomach performing a small flip in the pit of her belly. But she ignored it, spying a bright orange rose bloom and hurrying across the lawns to inhale its scent. ‘Look!’ she cried, ‘Isn’t it marvellous? I’ve not seen one this colour before.’
    Georgina eyed it sadly. ‘That bush was Mama’s favourite. It hasn’t bloomed since she passed away. I think it has been in mourning,