She gave him a sideways glance. “You must be joking.”
“Why?”
“Because...” She waved her free hand as if searching for an explanation. A frown puckered her brow. “Are you really serious?The New Principles of Gardening?”
“I can show you, if you like.” He pulled the parcel from under his arm.
“No, no, Mr. Lowell. I shall take your word for it.” And then she laughed and shook her head, and Henry’s heart soared in response to the lyrical sound. “Of all the things I would have expected, from cigar boxes to a new game of chess... I never would have taken you for a botanist.”
“Oh, I’m not, I assure you, which is why I purchased the book.” They turned a street corner and the pavement grew narrower, forcing them closer together. His shoulder brushed hers, producing a thrilling hum along the length of his arm. “I need something with which to pass the time until I’m fully recovered and I’ve always marveled over the beauty of a well-kept garden. After seeing the one at the hospital, I had a moment of inspiration.”
“It sounds as though you have plans to renovate.”
“I’d like to. As with most gardens here in London, mine is not particularly large. My gardener insists I keep it simple, but I do not see why simple must equal dull. I want color and vibrancy, Viola. I want a garden that’s just like...”
You.
In his excitement he’d almost let his tongue run away with him. For although she wasn’t outwardly colorful, her personality definitely was, and it was this, he realized now with startling clarity, that he’d missed since leaving the hospital. Indeed he’d longed for it so much he’d finally resorted to looking at pictures of flowers in a book while dreaming of recreating something of what Viola imparted with her beauty and vigor.
“What?” she asked, curiosity clinging to that single word.
Henry reached for an explanation that wouldn’t serve as an unwanted compliment. The last thing he wished was to push her away now that they were getting along so well. “Like the gardens you see in the villages with roses climbing up cottage walls and marigolds brightening the flowerbeds. I want peonies and... and... those bell-shaped flowers on the long stalks.”
“Foxgloves?”
“Yes!” He glanced at her and saw she was smiling with a trace of wonder in her eyes. “And since I know next to nothing about growing flowers, I thought I’d do some reading and learn what I can. At least then I’ll be able to advise my gardener on what to plant.”
“You are not at all what I first expected,” she mused.
“I hope that’s a good thing.”
She grew pensive, then said, “I have yet to figure that out.”
The comment seemed to jostle the positive mood she’d acquired while they’d walked, reminding him of her earlier comment.Today has been a trying day.
Placing one hand on her forearm, he drew her to a halt. “Viola, you should know that although I plan to pursue you romantically, I first and foremost wish to be your friend.” He spoke plainly, hoping to convey how serious he was about this. “If you ever need my help or simply someone to talk to, you can count on me to listen and offer advice.”
She stared back up at him, and for a long moment he believed she might tell him her troubles. But then she turned away and resumed walking. “I thank you,” she said when he fell into step beside her. “Truly I do.” And then, more hesitantly, “But I fear associating with you would be unwise, not only because of your interest in me, which I still mean to try and dissuade, but because of your reputation. I cannot risk a connection with you because of the negative effect it might have on my reputation and possibly on my businesses as a result. I am sorry.”
Convincing her that every word she’d ever heard was utter nonsense would be no easy task. Pulling her to another halt, he kept his hand on her arm this time, holding her in place and meeting her gaze with extreme determination. “During the time you have known my brother, he must have mentioned his family.”
She tilted her head as if to consider. “Occasionally.”
Henry leaned in a little. Just enough to make her avert her gaze. There was an almost imperceptible shift in her breathing as another flush rose to her cheeks. He smiled, liking the extent to which he affected her. “Did he ever talk about me?”
She blinked and gave a quick nod. “Of course. He is exceedingly fond of you, Mr. Lowell.” She recommenced walking, pulling away from his grasp in the process.
Following her, Henry made no further attempt to touch her. Instead, he said, “Then he must have told you that none of the rumors about me are true.”
“To be honest, we never really discussed it.
Henry frowned. He would not be able to rely on Florian to help him out this time. Apparently winning Viola’s trust would be far more difficult than he had ever imagined. Unless he told her the absolute truth. Now there was an idea worth trying. “What if I were to tell you that every affair I’ve ever had and every scandalous thing I have done was a product of fiction?”
She looked at him. Her eyes widened and her lips parted as if in surprise, but rather than follow her astounded expression with one of complete understanding and tell him that what he said made perfect sense, she laughed. “Come now, Mr. Lowell. You cannot think me dimwitted enough to believe such a tale. A respectable gentleman would never allow the world to think less of him on purpose.” She knit her brow. “Frankly, I am a little offended by your attempt to fool me in such a ridiculous way, though I do admire your determination.”
“Viola.”
“I will allow that your reputation may not be as bad as the gossip suggests, for if it were I would not have enjoyed your company as thoroughly as I have, nor do I think it likely that you would have a cat named Newton or that you would speak of your brother with the sort of affection you showed a couple of days ago in the hospital garden. But to think it completely unblemished would be unwise on my part, I believe.” She slowed her pace and moved toward the steps leading up to the narrowest house on the street. “This is unfortunately where we must part, Mr. Lowell.” She reached inside her pocket and produced a key. “Thank you for your escort and for brightening my day.”
