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needing his signature. Leaning back in his chair, he eased the cramped muscles in his hand and his thoughts wandered to Penelope, as they seemed to do far too often lately.
    In a few days’ time, at Lady Millicent’s coming out ball, he would make sure her dance card stayed full. There were several young men he was aware of that would show her the proper respect, and might even deign to pay her court. He was sure there were many gentlemen among his acquaintances who would help to make the girl’s evening enjoyable. Of course, he would have to impress upon her, without causing the girl distress, that the evening might go better if she wore her spectacles.
    A soft knock brought him from his reverie. Penelope pushed the door open and stopped at the entrance. “Am I disturbing you?”
    At least she asked if she was disturbing him, unlike his sisters who felt free to just sail in anytime they chose. “No, not at all.”
    She came closer to this desk, but didn’t look him directly in the eye. “I am in need of paper and Her Grace suggested I might find it here.”
    “Of course.” He pushed back his chair and opened the center drawer. “How much?”
    She shrugged. “Just a few sheets.”
    “Letters to write?” He smiled at her.
    She finally looked up, her face flushed. “No. I wish to do some drawings.” When he raised his brows in question, she hurried on, “Of my plants.”
    “That’s quite interesting. Then what do you do with them?”
    “I keep them in a journal. Along with notes about where I find the specimens, the quality of the soil. Things like that.”
    Drake leaned back, his index finger and thumb cradling his chin. “My mother tells me your father was a fairly well-known botanist.”
    “Oh yes. He was highly respected in his field. In fact, one time. . .”
    He listened with half an ear, far more interested in how her face lit up when she spoke of her father. He imagined she must have adored the man. It must have been difficult for her to adjust to being alone. A young girl, without parents, suddenly forced to leave everything familiar.
    But the keen intelligence in her eyes and the animation in her body fascinated him. He felt himself being pulled into her world. How wonderful it must be to love your work so much. Too bad such endeavors were closed to females. But women had their roles in life, just as men had theirs.
    Penelope presented an entirely different person when she was speaking on a subject with which she was comfortable. The sweet, shy young miss became a vibrant scientist, anxious to share her findings.
    “And that was why he received the award.” She looked at him expectantly.
    Drake was embarrassed to realize he’d been so busy watching her that he hadn’t heard much of what she’d said.
    “I am sure it was well-deserved,” he murmured.
    “Yes.” Her smile mesmerized him.
    The sunlight had captured the copper strands woven throughout the deep brown of her hair. His hand itched to pull out the hairpins and run his fingers through its shiny thickness. From here he could smell the scent of flowers that he remembered from their dance. Chagrined at being caught staring, he pulled his thoughts back and handed her the paper. “Are you in need of a pen?”
    “No, thank you.” She seemed reluctant to leave, but when he made no further comments, she dipped slightly and turned to leave.
    “If you ever need more paper, or anything. . .”
    Penelope nodded and left the room. It took Drake some time to get back to his work.
    …
    The next day, Penelope took a spoonful of the delicious bergamot ice as she sat with the duchess and the other girls outside Gunter’s Tea Shop. The waiter had just delivered the frozen treats to them, a first for Penelope. The early spring air blew a soft breeze, adding to the chill from the ice. Even though it was cool outside, they’d decided to treat themselves to the delicacy.
    “Are there still more purchases to be made?” Penelope directed her comment