“I’m afraid, My Lady, that I have not.” Chance tried stepping backward but found himself pinned against the wall, the eager Contessa nearly pressing herself against him.
“I was so very happy when I realized you were in attendance tonight. I’ve been meaning to ask you, sir, if you would be willing to take care of me, the same as you are doing for my neighbor?”
“Take care of you?” Chance checked to be sure Aubrey hadn’t left the room before allowing his gaze to fall on the Contessa once again.
“My… garden has been sorely neglected and I would be ever so grateful if you’d direct some of your attention my way… toward my garden, that is.
“Ah,Mademoiselle,” Chance smiled, feeling more pity than anything else for the woman. “I’m afraid I work exclusively for Mrs. Bloomington.”
Ruby red lips pouted. “Such a shame.” But then she slid fingertips of one hand from Chance’s shoulder to elbow. “If you wish alternative employment, the offer remains open.”
Chance chuckled. “Noted.”
“Lady Bambina.”
Chance jerked his head over to see that Aubrey had returned.
“Mrs. Bloomington, I was just having a word with your… gardener.”
Aubrey let out a burst of laughter that resembled a snort. Was hisPrincesseshowing some claws?
“Don’t believe a word he says, he’s been known to fudge the truth on occasion.”
“Oh…?” The countess frowned, obviously confused by her hostess’ bad behavior.
“The reading is about to begin, in the other room,” Aubrey smiled cajolingly but urged the other woman away. She did not revisit Chance until she’d effectively dispatched with Contessa Philomena Reynaldi.
“She doesn’t hold a candle to you,Princesse,” Chance spoke near her ear, pleased beyond measure that she’d been compelled to return.
Aubrey pursed her lips, staring at the floor, and then lifted her chin. “I have a request.”
“Anything,” Chance began. “Except to leave you alone before you’ve heard me out.”
“That’s not it. I realize now that there are no limits to your obstinance.”
“Then ask me anything.” If they were alone, he’d take her in his arms and kiss away her frown. Some days he wondered if he ought to simply resort to that.
Only it would not be fair…
“You are… planting flowers for me.” Green eyes showed appreciation, albeit reluctant.
“You never planted any. It was one of your dreams.”
She swallowed hard. “I didn’t feel much like it at first, and then after a while… It no longer seemed important.”
Chance simply watched her. She’d yearned for flowers two years ago.
“I’ve planted both perennials and annuals. You’ll be able to enjoy them more in a year of so.”
But she was shaking her head. “That’s not it.” And then she bit her lip. “It’s Lancelot. He’s very interested in them and I’d hate to see any of your work go to waste because my dog wanted to dig all of it up. In addition to that, I have no idea which plants could be harmful if Lancelot tried to eat them. I was wondering if you might, incorporate some sort of a fence? To protect both the flowers as well as Lancelot from himself?”
In his mind he was already designing it. “But of course. Anything else?”
She hesitated. “Is it true that you have plans to build a hot house?”
He nodded.
This time she licked her lips before answering. The adjacent room had fallen silent and Chance assumed the reading was about to begin. He could not care less that they were missing it but he sensed her anxiousness to return to her guests. “I—I—Thank you.” She finally said. And then just as quickly as she’d come, she disappeared again.
