Her father, who’d been watching the interchange with an indistinct expression, laid his napkin beside his plate and sat back in his chair. “How are things at the mill, Mr. Duffy?”
“Humming along at an incredible pace. So many orders are pouring in, I’ve been forced to stay late most evenings, just to keep up.
“Oh.”–Walsh held up a finger and reached into his jacket pocket–“I’m glad you brought up the mill.” He withdrew a folded scrap of paper and handed it over. “A bladesmith who purchases his metal from us plans to add a line of custom leather sheaths and needs a supplier. I mentioned you as a possible source, and he expressed interest. I hope you don’t mind that I offered to pass along his information.”
“Not at all,” her father said, opening the note. He held it close, narrowing his eyes, then extended his arm, blinking and squinting. “Perhaps it’s me who needs a referral—to your optician,” he added with a chuckle as he tucked the note away. “Thank you for recommending me. I’ll stop by his shop first thing Monday morning.”
“I assure you it was no quid pro quo. After hearing the local cobbler sing praises about the quality of your leather and experiencing it for myself, how could I not?”
Malvinia snickered then promptly clamped a hand to her mouth.
“What’s so humorous?” her mother asked as Caroline worked to hide her amusement; she knew exactly what had tickled her friend.
“Mr. Duffy’s new boots,” Malvinia replied.
“Hogwash,” her father said, puffing up like a toad. “I noticed them when he arrived. They’re perfectly fine boots.”
“Oh, they are!” Malvinia agreed, her head whipping back and forth from one parent to the other, as they both stared down their respective noses at her. “I was recalling when he first bought them. They took some breaking in.”
Caroline’s chest shook with contained laughter. “Forgive us for telling this at your expense,” she said to Walsh, “but it is memorable. He–” A fit of giggles overtook her, and she couldn’t go on.
Malvinia managed to get herself under control. “What she’s trying to say is that Mr. Duffy’s boots weren’t always this comfortable. Last month, when he accompanied us to town, he hobbled down the boardwalk like a man three times his age.” Her glee burst forth in the form of a snort. “But he did it in style!”
Caroline’s parents couldn’t resist the howl of laughter that erupted from her and Malvinia. They began chortling at their poor guest.
Walsh turned as red as the cherry sauce on the remnants of his tart. “I had no idea I’d provided such entertainment.” Thankfully, he commenced laughing with them.
Caroline blotted the tears from her eyes with one hand and patted Walsh’s cuff with the other. “Y– You’re good to let us tease you so, without getting wroth.”
“Yes, you are,” Malvinia agreed. She sat up straight with a startled expression and checked the watch pinned to her bodice. “Oh, dear. Please, excuse me. I promised my mother I would be home by two o’clock, and it’s already a quarter till the hour.”
“Of course,” Caroline’s mother said.
“Thank you for inviting me,” Malvinia blurted as she rose. “I had a lovely time.”
Walsh hastily removed his napkin from his lap. “Do you need help ascending your horse?”
“No. I staked him near the mounting block. Thank you, though. Goodbye.”
The remaining diners sat and stared at each other, their sensibilities still recovering from the social storm that was Malvinia.
Caroline’s mother recovered first. “Would anyone like a second cherry tart?”
Her question was met with shaking heads and hands raised in refusal all around.
“I wish I had room for more,” Walsh replied. “They’re very good.”
Caroline stood and began collecting empty plates.
Her mother waved her off. “Leave them. We can clear them later.”
Before she could retake her seat, Walsh rose. “If your parents won’t be offended, I’d like to go for a stroll in the garden. Will you join me?”
“All right.”
“By all means,” her father said, saluting them with his glass, “go enjoy yourselves. Nettie and I are going to sit a while and bask in this fair weather.”
Caroline set out down the stone path, and Walsh fell in step beside her. “I hope we didn’t offend you with our teasing.”
