Felicity put the discarded letter back in the appropriate stack. “All week, more like, and I am at my limit with no end in sight.”
“You poor thing,” he said, ushering her to the pair of armchairs positioned by the fire and calling for a maid to bring some refreshment.
“I do not need tea and cakes,” she said.
But Mr. Johnson waved that away. “Nonsense. You take too much upon yourself, and you need a respite. You are quite pale, you know. It would be a shame to spoil your complexion.”
Felicity nearly laughed at that, for the fellow had managed to say that flimflam with a straight face, as though her complexion was foremost of concern. And as though it hadn’t been spoiled long ago.
“Your concern does you credit, sir,” she said, barely containing a laugh. “I assure you that tea and cakes are by no means a remedy for my ills.”
“It is no wonder that your mind is so burdened when faced with such strenuous work.”
“I would hardly say ledgers and correspondence are strenuous. Tedious, yes. But by no means strenuous.” As she spoke, Felicity eyed the gentleman, wondering if he would seize this opportunity to say that which he’d hinted at for the past few weeks.
Perhaps she ought to be more charitable and feel a modicum of shame for finding humor in the situation, but she hadn’t encouraged his advances nor were his motives by any definition pure. Perhaps if she were in better spirits she might allow this farce to continue, but Mr. Johnson was pulling her away from more important things.
“Ah, me,” she said with a dramatic sigh. The whole thing was ridiculous, yet there was pleasure to be found in it. Affecting her most contrite expression, Felicity prodded the fellow by adding, “There is so very much to do.”
Mr. Johnson shifted in his seat, drawing closer to hers. “I fear it weighs heavily on you, Miss Barrows, but perhaps the solution is right in front of you.”
Covering a chuckle with a cough, she turned a sweet smile in his direction. “And what solution might that be?”
“You need a husband to assist you.”
“That is precisely what my last man of business believed.” And he’d thought himself suited for that role as well, but Felicity was not going to admit that aloud. “However, an employee is far easier to replace than a husband.”
“But you’ve yet to find a man of business who suits your needs.”
Felicity leaned back. “What do you know of that?”
Mr. Johnson leaned forward, taking her hand in his as Felicity’s lids lowered. “Hush now, that is of no importance. I have come today to speak with you concerning a personal matter.”
“My finances?” she asked, unable to resist twitting him.
Patting her hand, he shook his head. “Surely you’ve noticed my marked attentions the past month, and I do feel as though I have reason to hope that your feelings have grown as mine have.”
“Oh, so you do wish to speak of my finances.”
Brows pulled together, Mr. Johnson stared at her. “I wish to ask you for your hand in marriage.”
Which were one and the same, but Felicity did not bother pointing that out. “Whyever would you want my hand? Marriage requires more than a single appendage.”
Mr. Johnson’s eyes narrowed. “You are being obtuse on purpose.”
Felicity gave him an apologetic smile. “I am teasing you, Mr. Johnson. The only way to find joy in life is to laugh at our own expense.”
“I am speaking of love and matrimony. I hardly think now is the time for jests.”
“And I think there is none better.” Especially when faced with such a proposal, but Felicity held back the eye roll lurking beneath the surface and patted his hand in return. “I apologize if I offended you, Mr. Johnson. You were saying?”
The fellow stared at her with a scrunched expression. “That I adore you and wish to spend the rest of my days by your side.”
“You hadn’t actually said either of those things.”
“I am saying them now.”
Felicity clasped her hands in her lap and turned an assessing glance in his direction. “And why do you adore me?”
