“I’ll share the other one when it’s perfected. Meanwhile, I’ll stir in a few blackcurrants in the next batch of toffee and see if it helps or hinders.”
“Don’t forget, Mr. Cole is coming for dinner.”
Amazingly, Beatrice produced the identical grimace as Charlotte.
“Don’t tell me you don’t like him either.”
“Either?” asked Beatrice, sipping her tea. “Why? Who doesn’t like him?”
“Never you mind,” Amity said. “I guess we all do, but Charlotte said the dining room discussion will be boring.”
“Compared to your unexpected adventure last night, you mean?”
“Exactly. I told her she should not compare our dining room to Lord and Lady Peabody’s. I firmly prefer our own. It is relaxing and comfortable, and no snout-noses in sight.”
“Oh dear,” Beatrice remarked. “Someone didn’t enjoy her evening.”
Amity shrugged. “I did, I suppose, once I got used to it and overcame my nervousness. Regardless, it seemed as if everyone were on display and needing to watch their step and their words. Except for the host and hostess, and Lord Pelham.”
Beatrice cocked her head with interest. “Hewas there?”
“Yes, as was the sublime Lady Madeleine.”
Her sister straightened and set down her teacup. “You saw her?”
“Yes.” Amity tried to remain neutral despite having a feeling of distinct animosity toward the beautiful lady.
“Was she exactly as everyone says?” Beatrice asked.
“More so.” Amity shrugged.
“Good lord. Why on earth would Charlotte want to spend an evening competing with the likes of that paragon of all things desirable?”
Amity sighed. “Fortunately for our younger sister, she has a couple of things men desire.” They blinked at each other and started to giggle.
“Bless her heart,” Beatrice said. “She doesn’t realize how adorable she is, while being womanly at the same time.”
“We’re lucky she doesn’t realize yet. If she demands a Season, Father will have to keep the suitors away with a cricket bat.” Then she looked at Beatrice. “I’m rather set with Mr. Cole” —except when she was kissing the Duke of Pelham— “but what about you? You’re as adorableandwomanly as Charlotte. Plus, two years and somehow decades more mature. Have you got your eye on anyone?”
“No. Truthfully, sometimes I despair of having anything or anyone outside this shop.”
Amity was stunned by her sister’s admission. “What? That’s ridiculous. Simply because I didn’t want a Season, doesn’t mean you can’t have a coming out party and attend events. Shall we talk to Father tonight?”
“No, I don’t want to bother. I would have to wait until next April for an appropriate time to coincide with the titled misses being presented to the queen.” Beatrice shook her head of thick brown hair, a shade lighter than Amity’s, and sighed mightily.
“Most of those girls aren’t worrying over the cost of a Season. As soon as I was declared a shopkeeper’s daughter, I would be ostracized anyway. And as you said, I’m about two years older than most, and four years older than many. Why, off the top of my head, I can think of at least four gentry brides who got married at age sixteen in the past few years. If we go by them, then I am firmly over-the-hill.”
At this, Amity laughed. “You are nineteen and perfect. Your life is just starting. What’s more, you are talented.”
“As a toffee-maker? I might as well be a seamstress or a cobbler.”
“Nonsense. Yet if you wish to learn the skill of patisserie, I think Mother would be thrilled. She’s always on about the superior pastries in Paris.”
Beatrice shrugged. “I don’t think so. I’ve never had an interest in baking. I like making toffee, but it doesn’t have the artistry of your chocolate creations or Charlotte’s marzipan sculptures. I am in a rut, I suppose.” She sipped her tea again. “I think running a household and having a husband and children sounds rather heavenly compared to spending my days with treacle and butter.”
The shop bell tinkled, and Amity went out to sell half a pound of chocolates, two marzipan pigs, and another pound of toffee to a very joyful woman, who was grateful for complimentary samples for herself and her three young children.
She could see what Beatrice meant about having a family and had been lucky to find Jeremy quite by happenstance. Having his children would be fulfilling, but she intended to continue making chocolate after her marriage and even after motherhood. It was her passion, and she delighted in watching people enjoy her confections.How could she help Beatrice find a good man?
