“I need to address the shop,” he said finally, “or likely shops. Althea has worked so hard to build those, and they are not only her passion but her retirement plan.”
Penelope snorted.
Why do my friends’ women find this so amusing?Evan gritted his teeth.
“You need to address the fact that you are in love with her.”
“Yes, yes.” Evan flapped a hand. “That I can handle.” He ignored Penelope’s doubtful moue. “I thought you might have some specific suggestions about balancing her independence and the duties of an earl’s wife.”
“Hmm. Yes. We discussed that.” Michael clasped Penelope’s hand in his between them. “As you suggested, we are hoping to use the new merchantry program you created at the School of Enlightenment to staff the bakery with paths to management and to head baker at the store.”
“Excellent. I am glad to hear that,” Evan said with a smile.
“Yes, ’twill be very helpful. I was not willing to give up the dream of the bakery, even when I capitulated to Michael’s demands of marriage.” She snickered at her husband, and he outright laughed back at her.
“Can you two please temper the newlywed silliness long enough to help me?” Evan teased them with a big grin.
“Probably not.” Penelope shrugged. “But Michael’s point is that you’ve created the very solution you’re looking for, Cheltie.”
His head fell forward as the pieces fell into place.
Penelope giggled. “The rest will take discussion. For Michael and I, the solution is a manager who we trust and can run the bakery for a fortnight at a go, and I am training a sous-baker. We also plan to close the bakery during the quietest times of the year, with notices posted well in advance so customers are not upset. August through Michaelmas, Christmas through January, that sort of thing. But to show your support of her independence, one need look no further than that new program.”
Evan nodded, feeling dumber than he had since secondary school but grateful for good friends.
****
Ignoring Beth’s wishes, Evan decided to visit Althea at her London shop.
He came bearing gifts, knowing her employees would likely take over governance in the face of obvious romance.
It took him a few days to decide on the right gifts, appropriate for her practical nature but still romantic. And then a few days to obtain them. Given her love of the inks and pens from Bath, he considered an inkwell and wax seal set for her desk. Or a new leatherbound journal for her accounting. On the other end of the scale, he knew she adored the few fancy lingerie pieces that Beth had talked her into purchasing. But that was not something she could open in the shop.
Finally, he chose garnet earrings and a pack of hand painted playing cards with—if one looked closely—rather outrageous pictures of lewd acts on them. Both reminded him of the first times he had met her, and the path they’d traveled to date.
He walked in with just over an hour left to closing time, hoping that would make it easier on her staff.
Althea’s back was to him as she fiddled with a display on a table. When neither of the other shop girls approached the newly-arrived customer to ask how they could help, she looked a question at them. Their gazes bounced between her and him.
She turned and frowned for a moment before smoothing her brow and pasting on a smile. “Lord Cheltenham, how kind of you to grace our shop with another visit. How can I help you? Mayhap shampoo for another lady friend?”
“No, thank you. The only lady friend I would want shampoo for has a lifetime’s worth at her fingertips.” He strolled toward her as he spoke. His hand reached out for hers and he bowed low, hat tucked in the crook of his arm. His lips skated across her knuckles, and it jolted in his. He smiled in satisfaction but wiped it from his face before straightening. “My lovely Althea. I come bearing gifts, in the hope that you will give me a few minutes of your time.”
He produced a black velvet bag encrusted with teeny jewels. One of his protégés was a jeweler and made these gift bags with the remnants of jewel cuts to sell, minimizing waste and maximizing profits.
“Hmph. I suppose that is a better start than your last visit.”
Ouch. “I promise. If you allow me, I can do better at the whole visit.” He did not want to show his hand quite yet.
“Right, then. Shall we adjourn to the back room?” Her cheeks pinkened, and he was sure she was remembering their last interlude there. But he had more important things in mind, a frame of reference he’d never thought he would have toward sex.
He gulped and nodded.’Tis now or never. I must convince her to accompany me to the school. Besides showing her proof of my support, the journey shall give me the time to convince her to accept my suit.
Once the door closed behind them, Evan tossed his hat on a pile of boxes and turned to Althea. He daren’t reach for her hands, as he did not want to give her the opportunity to reject him in any way. He needed all yays and no nays or he—known for his worldliness—might lose his nerve.
“I find an apology is always better accompanied with gifts.” He handed the bag over. “And these made me think of you.”
When she shook the bag into her other hand, the playing cards fell out first. She glanced at him, then perused the provocative design on the box.
