He didn’t appear to share her humor. “You look like a young man.”
Frowning, she tilted her head. “I’m not sure if I should be glad about that or offended.”
His expression turned increasingly wary and when he spoke next, his voice sounded shaky. “How bad would it be for you if I were to mention your secret to Mr. Hudson?”
“He’d probably sack me, leaving me without an income. My only reason for pretending was so I could get this job. The work available to women is either demeaning or doesn’t pay well. With a younger sister to care for, I have to earn more than what I would as a shop assistant or maid. Working here made that possible, especially once I proved my worth.”
“So it’s fair to say you’d like to prevent me from letting it slip that you’re not Mr. Harry Michaels but rather Miss Harriet Michaels?”
“Very much so.”
Leaning against the stool on which he’d been sitting, he drew a ragged breath. The fear he experienced at knowing he hadn’t revealed himself to a likeminded man but to someone who might choose to use his proclivity against him was understandable. The danger he faced if anyone learned the truth about him could not be disputed.
Sympathizing, Harriet placed her hand on his arm and gently assured him, “Your secret is safe with me, Oliver. I promise not to betray you.”
He pressed his lips together and nodded while staring at her with glistening eyes. “Thank you. I’ll keep your confidence too.”
She nodded her appreciation then grabbed her bag along with her cap. “If it’s all right with you, I’ve got to get going. This make-shift compress I’ve fashioned will only last so long.”
He made a face and appeared to shake off the panic he’d been subjected to. “Can we please speak of something else?”
She grinned as she preceded him through the door. “Name the subject.”
“How about your tendre for Mr. Evans?”
Harriet shot him a disgruntled look. “I can’t imagine what you’re talking about.”
“Can’t you?” Oliver asked. He quietly added, “There’s a reason seeing you with him last night made me jealous.”
Her hand grabbed his arm, drawing him to a halt so she could face him. “I’m sorry, Oliver. Had I truly been male with…that sort of inclination, I’m sure I would have welcomed your interest.”
A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Thank you. I’ve got to say, I still can’t believe you managed to fool me. Now that I’ve had some time to come to terms with the truth and take a better look at you, it’s obvious to me you’re a woman. Your features are simply too delicate.”
“People tend to see what they expect. I counted on that when I showed up dressed in men’s clothes with my hair cropped short and said my name was Harry.” They resumed walking. “I was terribly nervous – wasn’t sure I’d manage to pull it off – but I knew I had to hide my concerns and appear confident if I was going to manage.”
“No one suspected a thing, which is very impressive.”
“You don’t feel betrayed?”
He seemed to reflect on that question a moment. “No. You did what you had to do and for good reason. Who am I to be angry about that? I mean, I’ll not deny being disappointed since I fancied Harry, but you and I are friends first and foremost. I hope that won’t change even if you’re a woman.”
“Of course not. I’ll always value your friendship.”
“And as your friend, I’d love to know how you intend on pursuing Mr. Evans.”
Harriet nearly choked on her own tongue. “I’ve no intention of—”
“Come off it, Harry – and yes, I intend to keep using that name since it suits you – Mr. Evans is handsome and charming.”
“You said he’d never look twice at someone of my station.”
“Aha! So you do have an interest.” When Harriet rolled her eyes he confessed, “That comment was made when I hoped to convince you to give him up in favor of me. I no longer have such a wish.”
She sighed. “It matters not if I find him handsome or charming. He thinks I’m a man and that won’t change.”
“Are you certain?”
“Quite.” It was bad enough that Oliver knew the truth about her. Trusting additional people with it would just increase the risk of everyone else finding out. It wasn’t a chance she would take for any reason – certainly not for a chance at something as hard to come by as love.
