He lifted the bottle to his face and inhaled with a grimace. She’d gone too far this time.
But then he nodded sagely. “The perfect gift.” And he caught her gaze with his.
And held it.
What did he see when he studied her so intently? What was he thinking? Was he imagining what it would feel like to press his lips against hers? Charlotte’s breath caught. Did he feel that same pull? The one that nearly caused her to sway into him and bury her face in his neckcloth?
Charlotte reached into her pocket. “You gave this to me by mistake.” It was the handkerchief with faded embroidery.
Staring at it silently, he reached out and placed his hand in hers. As his fingers curled around the fabric, they grazed her palm, in no hurry to break the momentary connection. “Thank you.” His voice sounded gruffer than normal.
But then he shook his head, as though shaking her out of his thoughts. “You’ll want to join Miss Fairchild now. She oughtn’t be alone so long.” A tight smile. “I wouldn’t want there to be any trouble.”
He understood her plight. Of course, he would.
Charlotte nodded and without so much as glancing at him, weaved her way out of the store and across the street.
And just in the nick of time.
Chapter 4
Turmoil
“Get off! Go away!” Miss Fairchild stood outside the pastry shop with her hands in the air, as a medium sized mutt jumped enthusiastically at her skirts. Her eyes pleaded for assistance when she caught sight of Charlotte, who made a mad dash across the road. “He’s going to bite me! Drake, get him off me!”
“Down boy!” Charlotte ordered the excited pup, who’s tail wagged exuberantly at such a fun game. “He only wants your meat pie.” She tried to reassure Miss Fairchild who was shaking and near tears.
Charlotte bent down and wrapped her arms around a scruffy and malodorous neck. “You need a bath, don’t you?” Fighting off a string of wet canine kisses, she dragged the dog away to where a curious passerby shooed him away from the shops. He wasn’t a bad dog, just a little unruly. If only Miss Fairchild hadn’t made such a fuss, she wouldn’t have gotten the pup so riled up.
“Th-th-thank you, Drake.”
Charlotte let out a deep breath. “Haven’t you ever had a dog?”
“Of course not! Why anyone would intentionally keep such a beast is beyond me.”
The momentary guilt Charlotte was feeling disappeared as quickly as it came. Because Charlotte loved dogs—more so, even than a few human’s she knew.
“You’re all right now. He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Charlotte patted the taller girl’s arm.
“I don’t like dogs!” Her mistress wailed. “You took too long in the shop. You should have returned in a more timely fashion.”
“I’m sorry, Sus– Miss.” Charlottehadspent additional time selecting gifts for Lord Mapleton’s mother and sister. She’d not deny she’d taken advantage of the situation.
And she’d chosen a ghastly perfume for Miss Fairchild’s gift.
Quickly locating a handkerchief from a pocket, Charlotte dabbed at Susan’s reddened cheeks and then a few smudges on her sleeve. “I merely wished to be certain your gift was perfect and took rather longer than I ought. Please forgive me.”
She did feel badly. Miss Fairchild might actually like dogs if her parents had allowed her a pet as a child. “He wasn’t going to hurt you, but how could you have known?” Except for the wagging of his tail and the giant smile on his face.
Because contrary to what some people thought, dogs most definitely smiled.
“I didn’t know. But he kept jumping on me. He wouldn’t leave me alone.” A calm began settling on the frightened young woman.
“He wanted your pie.” Charlotte held back a chuckle.
“I’d have gladly given it to him, if I’d known.” Susan sniffed. “Thank you.” She added. “For saving me.”
Relief swept through Charlotte––relief that her mistress was not truly harmed and also that since she’d ‘saved’ Miss Fairchild, she apparently hadn’t placed her job in jeopardy again.
