At the same time, the Duke of Pelham followed her, his hat, which he must have snatched up from the floor, was perched slightly askew on his head, and he wore but one glove.
Her expression of mortification undoubtedly matched those of the women, who now turned wordlessly and left.
“Sweet Mary,” Amity murmured, rounding upon the Duke of Pelham. “Between you and your lady friend, you are ruining not solely the reputation of our shop but my own, as well. I must ask you to leave at once.”
He looked shocked. “Are you throwing me out of your store?”
“I believe I am.” Although the damage had already been done, Amity needed him to leave.If her mother ever heard of this!She could only hope the customers had been regular people, and not members of the sometimes-viciouston, but she could not be sure.
“I suppose it is for the best,” he agreed. “I must say, it is a strange experience to be thrown out.” He chuckled. “It has never happened before.”
Upon seeing her disapproving expression, he coughed. “Again, I apologize for that indiscretion, but once they had seen us, there was no point in my hiding in the back, was there?”
“No,” she agreed. “Far too late for that.”
“At least we weren’t kissing again,” he offered, a hint of jest in his tone.
“That is not the least bit funny.” Humiliation soaked her from head to toe both at his nonchalance regarding her reputation and at his casual reference to their kiss as if it had been merely another in a series of indiscretions. Probably, it had been insignificant to him.
“All right, I’m going,” he said. “But you will still come to the party and present the chocolates, won’t you?”
“That would be the very last thing Lady Madeleine would wish — to see me in your home, gifting her my confectionery.”
“Don’t you want to bask in the success and give your trade card to my other guests? Won’t it help Rare Confectionery tremendously? And I assure you, Lady Madeleine will be nothing but pleasant at the party. The entire event will be more meaningful if you, the chocolatier, are there.”
Amity considered. He was right about their shop gaining more custom if she were on hand, letting everyone knew who’d produced the chocolates. However, he was probably sorely incorrect about Lady Madeleine. If there was to be trouble, Amity wanted a family member with her.
“I shall come if I may bring my sister, as she very much appreciates your world of luxury.”
“And you do not?” He tilted his head and looked heart-breakingly handsome.
Flustered, she waved her hand dismissively, then realized that might appear rude.
“Naturally, anyone would enjoy it, but I do not covet such a lifestyle. I want only the one I already have.” It was true, she realized, as she said it. She would not give up working with her sisters and her mother, nor creating her chocolates, not even to trade places with Lady Madeleine.Not even if she could have the duke himself!
He nodded, thoughtfully. “Please, by all means, bring your sister, as long as she is not the one who caused this senseless feud in the first place.”
“No, not Beatrice. I promise.” Amity paused but had to tell him. “There is one more thing. I willnotserve Lady Madeleine the chocolates, meaning I do not carry trays at parties.”
“Understood. You will be an honored guest.” He went to the door. “I shall enjoy seeing you again on Friday evening. Let us hope for success.”
After he walked out of the shop, Amity had to ask herself if she honestly hoped for the duke’s success in his pursuit of his ladylove. He seemed like a nice person, and the lady ... did not!
Nevertheless, he was smitten with Lady Madeleine, and, to be fair, perhaps she showed a better side of herself to him. Who knew what had transpired the prior evening during their outing to the opera, or what passionate kisses they might have shared in the confines of his carriage or some secluded alcove at the theatre?
That was not Amity’s business. Her sole interest in the duke should be in bringing the most perfectBraysonsto the party.
***
“WHY CAN’T I GO?” BEATRICEasked later that evening.
“Because you said mean things to Lady Madeleine, and this is to be her engagement party. Besides, I didn’t think you cared for the society of thebeau monde.”
“I wouldn’t mind seeing them and eating their food,” Beatrice mused, while playing a hand of Gleek with Charlotte and their father.
Charlotte giggled, and in truth, Amity would prefer the calm strength of her middle sister by her side, but with Beatrice came the risk of her outspoken manner. In any case, it was out of her hands.
“The duke specifically said I could not bring you. But I must ask if I may borrow your best dress, as he has already seen mine at the Peabodys’ party, and I cannot possibly wear it again so soon.”
