Serafina blew out a frustrated breath. The pounding needed to stop. Willow needed her rest, and she needed to get back to work.Surely the man could see the front room had no furniture in it, and the store wasn’t even ready for business. Irritated, Serafina went to the door and was about to tell him through the glass window that she wasn’t open when she saw a familiar face in the distance, across the street: Julian.
Feeling emboldened that Julian was on his way, she unhooked the chain latch and allowed the door to open a few inches. Willow persisted in growling at her feet, still trying to reach the stranger and give him a piece of her puppy mind. Brave dog.
“Forgive me, I seem to have dropped by at a most inconvenient time,” the stranger said, leaning in close to the opening, his dark, deep-set eyes gleaming at her, his thin, moist lips pursed in a simpering smile on his narrow face. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Baron Cornelius Grimsby. And I noticed you and your shop several months ago and found your business most intriguing. In fact, my mother knows your aunts—the Golden Duchesses. Anyway, I was in the area and thought I’d stop by and introduce myself,” he said in a nasally voice.
“Sir, this is hardly proper. I’m expecting my uncle back at any moment,” she lied, wondering where Julian was. She could have sworn it was him she’d seen across Curzon Street only moments ago. But at the moment, she couldn’t see anything beyond the baron and his big hat, both of which were blocking her view of anything else.
“Oh, really?” he drawled. “How odd. I thought I saw your uncle at his club earlier—in a meeting of considerable length and, by all appearances, significant importance.” His brows lifted in exaggerated innocence before he continued, “As I was saying, my mother is quite well acquainted with your dear aunts. I was under the impression you were residing with the Golden Duchesses at present. Truly grand ladies of Society.”
He delivered the compliment with a smirk that made it clear he hoped she’d take it as evidence of a personal connection.
She did not.
The gleam in his eyes and the way he looked at her sent a chill down her back.
“My place of residence is not relevant to this conversation,” she said, firmly, growing more tense as she realized he had braced his foot in the opening of the door and she couldn’t shut it. That was probably why Willow had deepened her guttural growl. “Perhaps your mother can send a calling card to my aunts in the future. Please, remove your foot from the door as I am very busy.”
“I was out on one of my brisk morning walks—so very refreshing for the constitution—when I happened to notice you leaving that lovely mansion with the Golden Duchesses and stepping into a carriage waiting out front. It was rather early to trouble you with a visit, of course, but when Mother later mentioned you were opening a tearoom, I thought I might stopby to say hello and extend an invitation. A carriage ride and a picnic.” He smiled as though the offer were irresistible. “I do hope you don’t mind the impromptu nature of my call.”
“My lord, we have not been formally introduced.”
“A mere formality,” he said.
Serafina shuddered. She had never encountered such persistent behavior. For all his obsequious mannerisms, the shifty expression in his eyes frightened her. There was something almost predatory in the way his small, beady eyes fixed on her. And with his foot wedged in the door, she feared he might simply force his way inside.
A sharp pang of regret hit her. Sheshouldhave followed her family’s rules and asked one of the footmen to escort her. Peter would have easily dispatched this odious man.
Willow barked and growled from her position at Serafina’s feet—brave as a lioness—but the poor pup was injured and far too small to deter a full-grown man who seemed most intent on gaining admittance.
“It is quite chilly, my dear. If I may step inside, we might plan our outing.”
Before Serafina could reply and ask him to leave once and for all, a deep male voice growled from behind the baron. “I think the lady has already said no.”
The owner of that wonderful, comforting voice now stood directly behind Grimsby, his hand firmly on Grimsby’s shoulder.
At the sight of Julian’s tall, solid, broad-shouldered frame, Serafina drew a breath and relaxed a notch. Even Willow stopped barking and growling—perhaps realizing she had an ally in her protection duties.
Grimsby’s face went red, and he spun around to face Julian. “The lady and I were having a pleasant and private conversation, uh…kindly unhand me.”
“I beg to differ on the nature of your conversation,” Julian said, removing his hand but taking a step closer. He was easily a head taller than Grimsby, who stumbled back a step.
“I am Baron Cornelius Grimbsy. Who are you?”
“Kerr. Julian Kerr,” he replied in a deep brogue.
“Hmm. No title?” Grimsby gave him an arched look. “You look a tad familiar. Have we by chance met before?”
“I doubt it. I’m an artist by trade, and I’d remember if I ever had to paint your image. I imagine we travel in different social circles. But Miss Davies is a dear friend, and she doesn’t appear to know you. If you don’t mind, please state your business and then be on your way. It is quite obvious Miss Davies wasn’t expecting you, as she’s already indicated the inappropriateness of your visit here, and your invitation for a carriage ride, for that matter,” Julian said.
Grimsby’s face heated. “And you were…expected?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. “You are intruding on my conversation with the lady.”
“Julian, thank you for coming,” Serafina whispered, smiling in his direction and opening the door to allow him to enter.
“As you can see, Miss Davies was expecting me, and I don’t think what you were attempting qualifies as a conversation,” Julian said, matter-of-factly.
“How dare you! I am a member of the peerage, and I will have you treat me with the respect I’m due,” Grimsby said, his face mottled.
“How dare you, Baron? Trying to barge your way into a closed establishment inappropriately.” Julian countered in a steely tone. “I suggest you do as the young lady asked and vacate the premises.”
