“Mr. Campbell,” I choked. I swallowed hard. “How did you find me?” I felt silly the moment the question escaped me, but it was an honest one.
He laughed under his breath. There was something rather sultry about the sound. His eyes were far more flirtatious than I had ever seen them, and they traced over my features as if he were searching for something important. I felt entirely exposed by his study, and I could hardly meet his gaze.
“I found myself an informant on Milsom Street,” he said. Was he smiling? I checked his mouth. Yes, he was. When had Mr. Campbell learned to smile? My gaze flickered to the bouquet of flowers, then back to his face.
“May I have a word with you inside?” he asked with that soft upturn of his lips.
I shook myself of my confusion, gathering my wits about me. If I was not mistaken, this was nothing short of a courtship call. Surely Mr. Campbell was playing a trick on me. I didn’t trust him at all, especially not with that smile on his face. “I’m afraid you cannot,” I said without a hint of regret.
His eyebrows lifted, but he didn’t appear overly surprised by my impertinence anymore. “Why not? Don’t tell me you have misplaced your chaperone once again. I shall begin to assume you don’t have one at all.”
“I have not misplaced her, but her constitution doesn’t agree with daffodils.” I glanced at the flowers. “They cause her to sneeze and develop horrible rashes.”
Mr. Campbell held my gaze for several seconds, a challenge gleaming in his eyes. Did he believe me? “I am sorry to hear that.” He glanced ruefully at the bouquet.
“Yes, it is a shame.”
He sighed, his eyes lifting. “Forgive me, I should have chosen a different flower.” He retreated back a few paces, and my hands tightened around the doorknob. As soon as I could close the door on him, the better. But instead of turning to leave, he threw the bouquet of flowers toward the stairwell.
It tumbled down a few steps, leaving behind a trail of yellow petals.
My eyes widened.
Mr. Campbell brushed his hands together with a smile, as if to rid them of any remnants of the daffodils. “There. Your chaperone shall be unhindered if I step inside for a moment. And don’t worry—I will be sure to bring a different variety of flowers next time.”
I blinked. Next time? How often did he think he would be welcome to call upon me? He was being awfully presumptuous, especially since I had rejected his offer to dance the night before. I was still certain he was playing a game of some sort, though I didn’t know exactly what sort of mischief he was up to.
Playing along seemed like the only way to find out.
“Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.” I gave a polite smile, which seemed to confuse him. Good. He had been confusing me a great deal lately. “I am about to take a walk with my aunt and brother, but we may receive you another time when we are not otherwise engaged.”
“A walk sounds lovely,” he said with a thoughtful look. “May I join you?”
My voice sputtered in my throat. “Why?”
“Why not?” he countered with a subtle grin.
I didn’t have time to form a reply before Aunt Julia’s voice echoed from behind me. “Does this bonnet make me look like a Christmas pudding?” She froze at the sight of Mr. Campbell. I turned just in time to see the flicker of surprise on her face. The ruffles of her cap contrasted with the sudden flush of pink on her cheeks, and she quickly offered a curtsy. “Mr. Campbell! What a…surprise.”
“Mrs. Cresswell, it is a pleasure to see you. I know you didn’t ask for my opinion, but your bonnet is very complimentary, indeed.” He bowed, and I took the opportunity to glare at the top of his head. His eyes met mine before I managed to wipe the glare from my face. He had never paid any mind to Aunt Julia. He had always acted so far above her—and above me. The sudden attention and charm was alarming to say the least, but Aunt Julia was already devouring it like a Christmas pudding.
She blinked in surprise for a short moment before her features melted into a bashful smile. “The pleasure is mine, to be sure.” She released a sound that was akin to a giggle. My face burned with mortification. “Have you come to call upon Arabella?”
“Indeed.” Mr. Campbell shot a glance in my direction. “She informed me that she was about to join you for a walk. The weather is fine today, is it not?”
“Oh, yes.” Aunt Julia gave an enthusiastic nod. “It’s the perfect day for a stroll through Sydney Gardens. Would you like to join us? My nephew is accompanying us as well.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, deliberately avoiding Mr. Campbell’s gaze. He was looking far too proud of himself, I was sure of it.
“I would be delighted to join you. That is…if Miss Sharp doesn’t have any objection?” His innocent voice grated on my nerves. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to meet his. With my back to Aunt Julia, I didn’t feel the need to control my expression. Idarkened my gaze, but Mr. Campbell was undeterred, a gleam of amusement tucked carefully behind his false sincerity.
“Of course not,” I said in a voice just as false as his smile. “Why would I ever object to that?”
Aunt Julia spoke again, snapping the connection of our gazes in half. “Splendid! Frederick should be down any minute now.” She shuffled forward in the narrow space until she was right beside me. I couldn’t blame her for her excitement; Mr. Campbell was thus far the only gentleman to call upon me during our visit to Bath. When most gentlemen learned that I was renting rooms on Milsom Street, they made assumptions—true ones—about my status and lost interest.
Men were not the only ones sought after for money, even though they liked to make themselves victims over it.
I eyed Mr. Campbell again. Walking with him in public would cause a stir, no doubt. It was no secret that he was among the most eligible bachelors in town, and I was among theleasteligible young ladies. If there was reason to believe an attachment existed between Mr. Campbell and me, gossip would spread faster than Freddy spread butter on his toast.
