“Podsnappery. It means someone who refuses to see the world for what it really is. Your sister floats through, refusing to see things around her in any way but how they benefit her.”
“Is this another of your father’s words, Aggie?”
“Aye. He loved words and spent a great deal of time writing them down, then he’d use them in conversation, which none of his family understood.”
“I love that word,” Mary said. “I must use it when I speak to Phillipa. She’d have no clue what I’m about and think it flattering.”
Aggie snorted. “There is nothing wrong with you, miss, and don’t you let anyone tell you otherwise. You have a lovely figure, and hopefully after today, you’ll show it off a bit better.”
“I still don’t believe I will have a fitting with Dimity and Beth later,” Mary said morosely. “Mother will find a way to ruin it, I’m sure.
“Your mother and sister are a pair of grumbletonians.”
Mary giggled.
“It’s curious to me why you stand up to most people except them when you have no problems doing so with that handsome devil.”
“Which handsome devil?” But Mary knew who Aggie meant. Zach. The man who had been a thorn in her side for many years. From the first time she’d met Zachariel Deville, they’d annoyed, insulted, and disliked each other.
Why then did he kiss you?
“Mr. Zachariel Deville, as you very well know,” Aggie said. “That man would make you a fine husband.”
Mary clipped the side of her foot as she stepped forward and stumbled. Aggie lunged for her and kept her upright.
“Thank you, and I cannot believe you said that!” Mary said.
“Well, all that business between you has to stem from somewhere,” Aggie said with a smug smile.
“It does stem from somewhere. Dislike. The man’s a fool.”With a really nice mouth, and he smelled wonderful.
“I think you protest too much.”
“I think you need to be quiet,” Mary said. She then increased her pace again, leaving her maid behind. Reaching Lolly’s bookstore minutes later, Mary entered.
“Good morning to you, Miss Mary,” Mrs. Lolly said from behind her counter.
Her red hair was styled in an elaborate creation on her head. Pins the color of rubies held it in place. The woman was always striking, and today’s strawberry dress was no different.
“How nice to see you again on such a wretchedly cold morning.”
“And you also, Mrs. Lolly. I seem to be devouring the books I get from here and am in need of more. Plus, I must purchase a gift for a friend’s birthday.”
“I shall leave you to make your selections then. If you need anything, please let either Mr. Lolly or I know.”
“I will, thank you.”
“Do you wish for a sweet, Miss Aggie?”
Mary wandered off while Aggie and Mrs. Lolly chatted. Mr. Lolly, the sparrow to his wife’s peacock, would be about the place also. Opposites really did attract with the Lollys.
Taking the stairs up, she made her way down the rows of books and past the table where you could lay out your selections and read to see if they interested you enough to purchase them. Mary loved the smells in this place and had spent many hours here, even before it had become somewhere she came to collect and exchange information.
Moving to the right, she walked along the tall row of bookshelves. These ones went to the roof. Checking no one was up here, she rolled the ladder along slowly so it did not make a creaking sound and alert anyone on the floor below. Mary then climbed to the top. She knew each of the five titles that butted up to the far wall.
Pressing Flowers with Reverend Clyde, The Vegetable Garden Displayed, The Fruit Grower’s Complete Guide, andHousekeeping with Mrs. Lydia.Mary wasn’t entirely sure how that one had gotten up here.
Running her fingers down the spines, she pulled out the last,The Beginner’s Guide to Snail Farming,and opened the back. It was the book she and Monty decided absolutely no one would wish to read. Tucked into the carefully folded last page was a note. Retrieving it, she reached for her reticule and opened it, dropping the missive inside.
