“And garters,” Duffy agreed happily. “I asked if he will be attending Miss Letty’s gala, and he said yes. And then…”
“Then what happened?” Gigi asked breathlessly.
“He said, ‘See you there.’”
They sighed at the same time.
She touched her friend’s shoulder. “I’m so happy for you.”
“That makes two of us. Now I must get back to the shop.” Duffy winked. “Hopefully, I’ll have more news soon.”
With a smile on her lips, Gigi returned to the dressing room. Mrs. Sommers’s niece and assistant, Mattie, was pinning the bodice for the alteration. Seeing the twinkle in the buxom brunette’s eyes, Gigi sensed that Duffy was not the only one for whom love was in the air.
“You look like the cat that got the cream,” Gigi said lightly.
“I’ve a new follower, milady.” Mattie pinched a pin between her fingers, her eyes dreamy. “But please don’t tell my aunt about it. She’s already cross with me, saying I pay too much attention to beaux and not enough to what I’m doing.”
Eyeing the sharp pin hovering by her decolletage, Gigi cleared her throat.
“Perhaps it is better to focus on the task at hand,” she said. “Don’t worry, I shan’t breathe word of your follower.”
A few minutes later, Gigi was returning to the front of the shop when a small, sandy-haired boy appeared in the corridor. It was Kenny, Mrs. Sommers’s youngest.
Seeing the purpling bruise beneath his eye, she gasped. “What happened, dear?”
“Bullies,” he said succinctly.
“Oh. I’m sorry.” Her heart ached for the little lad even as she inwardly raged at the brutes who’d hurt him. “Your mama knows about it, I assume?”
“She does, milady. But a man must take care of his own problems.”
Seeing the way he threw back his thin shoulders, she was tempted to smile.
“While that is true,” she said with care, “a man must also know when he needs help.”
“I have help,” Kenny said. “I also have this…for you.”
Pulling a crumpled note from his pocket, he handed it to her and scampered off.
“What on earth?” she murmured.
There was no name on the front, and the decorative wax seal did not identify the sender. Brow furrowed, she broke the seal.
Duchess,
* * *
Of all the words in the English language, these are the hardest for me to say: I am sorry. While I don’t deserve another chance, I nonetheless humbly ask for one. I owe you an explanation for my behavior, which I would like to give in person. Would you do me the honor of meeting me outside your home at midnight? If you choose not to come, I will understand and bother you no more.
* * *
I remain your servant,
C
Chapter Fourteen
At a quarter past midnight, Conrad stood in the shadows and watched the front of Bottoms House. He could no longer deny reality.
