Much like Aunt Julia, Freddy strode up behind us before catching sight of Mr. Campbell at the door. “Am I dressed to your standards, Bella?” He wore a yellow and orange paisley waistcoat with a blue jacket, gray hat, and walking stick. He strutted forward with a grin. “I look dashing, do I not?”
I grimaced, my heart jumping to my throat. He had obviously chosen his attire as a joke, but he hadn’t seen Mr. Campbell yet. His grin faltered at the sight of our guest, his cheeks turning white.
Aunt Julia’s jaw dropped. “Dear me,” she whispered. “Mr. Campbell, may I present my nephew, Mr. Frederick Sharp. He often jests with his sister. He doesn’t usually dress so…” her voice trailed off.
“Brilliantly?” Mr. Campbell said. “There is nothing wrong with a daring choice when it comes to fashion.” The smile on his face seemed to put Freddy at ease. “I’m certain Sydney Gardens has seen wilder choices than this.”
Freddy’s shoulders relaxed again, and he laughed. “I don’t doubt it. Shall I wear this simply to mortify my sister?” His eyes slid in my direction with a smirk.
I adjusted my gloves calmly. “You may. But I am the last person anyone should like to start a war with.”
Mr. Campbell nodded, his eyes settling on my face. “I don’t doubt that either.”
Freddy laughed, but I hardly noticed anything but the challenge glinting in Mr. Campbell’s eyes. At least he understood that I wasn’t to be trifled with. And that was precisely what he was doing now, I was certain.
He was trifling with me.
“The sooner you learn that about my sister, the better. I suppose I should go change so as not to provoke her.” Freddy grinned in my direction. He looked ridiculous in his colorful clothing, but Mr. Campbell didn’t seem to mind. I foundthateven stranger than his friendly demeanor. He was known for dressing elegantly and looking down upon anyone who did not. So why was he being so forgiving of Freddy’s appearance?
He was definitely up to something, and I was going to find out what it was. If he thought he was the only one who could play his game, he was mistaken.
“Frederick can meet us outside when he is dressed properly,” Aunt Julia said. “Shall we?”
Mr. Campbell gave a swift nod as he extended his arm toward me. I took it cautiously, certain that I was the only one who caught the smirk on his lips as we started toward the stairwell.
CHAPTER 8
CLARK
“Please keep your distance for a moment, Mrs. Cresswell. I know daffodils pose a great risk to your health.” I bent over to pick up the bouquet I had thrown down the stairs. The poor flowers had mostly retained their shape, though a few petals had been lost in the incident. It had been a necessary sacrifice, if only for the look of shock on Miss Sharp’s face. I might not have been succeeding at wooing her, but at least I was thoroughly entertained.
“My health?” Mrs. Cresswell touched a hand to her chest, pausing her descent. The confusion on her face once again affirmed that her niece was a liar. I shot Miss Sharp a knowing smirk before brushing a few loose petals off the top of the bouquet. Before addressing her aunt, I made sure to correct my expression.
“Your niece informed me that daffodils cause you horrible rashes and fits of sneezing. Had I known prior to my visit, I most certainly would have selected a more bearable flower. But the yellow reminded me of Miss Sharp’s cheerful disposition.” Iglanced at her scowling face again. A dark glare burned behind her eyes.
She was beautiful when she was angry.
Mrs. Cresswell seemed unsure of how to respond. If she denied it, then she would confirm that her niece had lied to me. Her mouth twitched in silence for a moment. “Oh, yes. Yes, I do struggle in the presence of daffodils.” She laughed nervously. “My niece is very thoughtful,verythoughtful indeed, to consider me, just as you are, Mr. Campbell. I am sorry to have given you cause to discard such a lovely bouquet.”
I gave a warm smile. “It is no trouble at all.”
“I am certain Arabella is flattered at the gesture nonetheless.” Mrs. Cresswell sent a quick glance in her niece’s direction, seemingly awaiting her confirmation.
“Indeed.” The word barely made it past Miss Sharp’s lips for how tightly pursed they were.
I studied her face. I had known that gaining her affection was going to be far more difficult than I had anticipated, but she still hadn’t softened at all. Since our first interaction, she had seemed determined to dislike me. If all she wanted was money, wouldn’t she be glad to have my attention? The only conclusion I could draw was that Colin had wounded her pride, and her pride was more powerful than her desire for a fortune. It seemed that she would rather take her chances with other rich men than give Colin a chance to redeem himself.
Her expression was cold as she brushed past me into the open air of Milsom Street. She released her hold on my arm. My challenge from Colin was to capture her heart, but how could I do that if she didn’t seem to have one at all?
In the shade of the building, she opened her lace parasol, resting it over one shoulder as she lazily examined the people and carriages on the street ahead. As we awaited her brother, I stepped up beside her. I sensed her spine stiffen the way it hadwhen she had recognized me at the assembly rooms the night before.
Slowly, her dark eyes lifted to mine. “You missed one.”
“Pardon me?” I raised my eyebrows.
Her eyes flickered toward my waistcoat. “You missed a button.”
I looked down, smoothing a hand down the front of my chest. She was right. Colin would have never missed such a small detail, and it would have vexed him greatly to have a woman notice his neglect. Surely that was why Miss Sharp had pointed it out.
