“I will let you get back to your day,” she finished as she drew on her gloves.
“On the contrary, Miss Rare-Foure, you have made my day. I assure you.” He almost bit his tongue at his own gushing tone. Waverly would be appalled. Amity blushed becomingly.
“And I thank you also, my lord, for introducing me to good coffee, and to our new collaboration.”
“I may have to keep a steady supply of chocolates at the ready to eat with my coffee,” he quipped as she moved toward the door.
Her maid rose and came to stand behind her mistress, and there was nothing left to say. He couldn’t even tell her he would return to her shop since they’d decided upon the lavender and vanilla chocolate.
Unless...
“I will come by this week to discuss how many chocolates for my party. I want everything to be perfect for the proposal.”
Miss Rare-Foure became all business. “Very good, my lord. I do want this to be perfect for your party. If I am not at the shop when you arrive, either my mother or my sisters are well able to take your order.”
That startled him. He thought she wouldwantto see him again, but perhaps he was being arrogant.
“I hope you will be there,” Henry confessed.
She curtsied again, which nearly made him chuckle except she looked so somber. And beautiful. Then she was gone.
***
DESPITE BEING AWASHin jealousy over the duke’s parting words about wanting everything to be perfect for his proposal, Amity felt like whooping with joy when she and Delia were inside their carriage.
“I am certain he will help,” she declared and slumped back against the seat.
“Of course he will,” Delia said, settling beside her. “He’s half in love with you already.”
“What?” Amity sat up again.
“Simply because I sit a few yards away doesn’t mean I can’t see and hear plainly.”
“You’re supposed to try not to,” Amity reminded her. “But tell me what you thought you saw.”
“And heard,” Delia added. “His Grace has a nice manner about him, but do you think he’s that way with everyone? He’s a duke. He is used to telling people what to do and having them do it quickly. I guarantee he doesn’t usually apologize — not that I know what he was apologizing for, nor do I want to.”
That was just as well because she had no intention of telling Delia about the kiss.
“Anyway, I think you’re wrong,” Amity protested. “I can’t imagine him behaving any differently with anyone else. I have never seen him act in an arrogant manner. When he was with me in the shop, he was very ‘normal.’”
“He was withyouin the shop. I think you’re making my case like a barrister,” Delia said. “And what about at the party you and Miss Charlotte went to? Didn’t he act the part of a true peer of the realm when among the other hoity-toities?”
Amity recalled how he had been a little more distant at the Peabodys’ home and how he left abruptly without looking aback at any of the guests, including her. “I suppose.”
Delia was enjoying the discussion. “My dear girl, can you imagine the duke pouring someone’s coffee like he’s a servant? And stirring in their sugar and milk?” Her maid started to chuckle. “It was priceless. He even wiped the chocolate off your lip like your own personal napkin.” She went off into guffaws of laughter.
“You did notice a lot,” Amity said, leaning back. “Next time, I need to make sure you have more than one penny-dreadful to keep your attention.”
“You and the duke were far more interesting.”
“Delia!” Amity cried, but they both laughed anyway.
Whether the duke liked her more than was proper signified nothing for he had reminded her he wanted his proposal to Lady Madeleine to go as planned. The carriage rolled to a stop outside Rare Confectionery.
“I’ll tell you something, Delia, His Grace had a brilliant idea about pairing coffee and chocolate. I wonder if Rare Confectionery should start selling cups of coffee. No, we don’t have the space, nor the skill, but perhaps we could sell bags of ground beans or even —Dear God in Heaven!” she interrupted herself, looking out the window. “What is going on?”
