“Oh, dear. Jasmine, you have shocked nice Miss Russell. You must learn to control your words when you are in high dudgeon.”
“I did not initiate this conversation. I am an efficient speaker, even if Miss Russell is not. As for Rebecca, our door is open to her. If you want to keep her away, find something more interesting for her to do.” With a self-satisfied sniff that expressed her view of that likelihood, Miss Neville turned and walked away. Her sister hurried to catch up.
Face burning, Eva collected herself. Well, that had hardly ended as she intended.
Across the street two women still stared. The poor things had probably never heard the wordsexualspoken before. Eva was sure she hadn’t, let alone heard it shouted on a main road in full hearing of passersby. The whole town would probably feed off the story for a week.
She tucked her new muslin against her body and walked on. She hoped Rebecca liked the pattern. This visit to town had cost more than the coin paid for it.
She forced her mind to practical matters. Should she make Rebecca the new dress, or hire a dressmaker?
“We meet again,” a voice said as boots fell into step beside her shoes. “How kind of fate to arrange that.”
She started so badly that she jumped aside, much as she had hopped into a big puddle two weeks ago. The same face looked down at her as had that day.
The careless horseman had returned, looking as handsome and dangerous as ever.
Seeing him up close hardly dimmed his attraction. She took in the details in a daze that created slow motion. The mildest cleft in his chin. The high bones of his cheeks that together with well-formed eyebrows brought attention to his dark, devilishly wicked eyes. The waves of disheveled hair that flattered him more than carefully brushed hair ever could.
He wore a blue coat today and a cravat indifferently tied. He still looked expensive. A gentleman, that was obvious.
“I did not intend to startle you,” he said. “I apologize if my greeting took you unaware.”
His vague smile communicated more than friendliness. He could see how impressed she was. Of course he could, when she gawked at him like a schoolgirl.
“If I am surprised, it is because I am not accustomed to being greeted by men I do not know.”
“Ah, astickler.” He said it like it was a disease. “Wait here, please. Promise you will not move.” After she nodded, he strode back into the shop, and soon emerged with Mr. Duran. Mr. Duran listened to words muttered into his ear as the two of them approached her.
Mr. Duran cleared his throat. “Miss Russell, may I introduce you to Mr. Gareth Fitzallen. He is new to the region and eager to make the acquaintance of its leading citizens and families.”
Mr. Fitzallen bowed. Eva had no choice but to make a quick curtsy. Mr. Duran returned to his shop.
Eva tried to figure out how to shed the beautiful man who had gone to some trouble to obtain an introduction. Not that an introduction by a tradesman really qualified as a properintroduction. Clearly Mr. Fitzallen was not the kind ofsticklerto care about that.
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir, but I am hardly a leading citizen. If you have settled in the region, I am sure our paths will cross again, however, and I look forward to greeting you next time with more courtesy.” Trusting he would hear the dismissal barely hiding in the farewell, she began walking down the lane again.
Those boots once more fell into step beside hers.
“Do you live here in town?” he asked.
“My home is a half mile or so into the country.”
“What a coincidence. So is mine. I am living in the ruin where we first met.”
That was not good news. “Surely there were better houses to let in the county than that one. I would not think it was even inhabitable.”
“It is barely livable. I came to town today to purchase a few items to help make it more so.”
“I would think a gentleman like yourself would require more than barely livable.”
“I desire much more, but in truth require very little. I will make do with livable for now. I am hoping you will take pity on me and direct me to the shops and craftsmen that can be trusted.” He flashed a disarming smile, one designed to make a woman swoon. “See, there was a reason I accosted you so rudely. I know no one else to ask.”
This man knew how to exploit his natural gifts to full effect. Knowing his game did not save her from succumbing. Her heart danced a jig. A joyful, naughty one.Get hold of yourself, you goose.
“I fear if I help you, it will only encourage you further in what is a bad bargain. I warned you the house was derelict inside, yetyou let it anyway. If you did not trust my judgment on that, why should you do so when it comes to shops and craftsmen?”
“I did not let it, as such. It belongs to me, crumbling walls and all. So either I leave it to vagrants and fires, the fate you predicted, or I take possession and attempt to save it. I chose the latter.”
