“Thank you.” I offered her a grateful smile as I secured the button. “You have saved me further embarrassment.”
She frowned, tearing her gaze away from my face.Saving mesurely hadn’t been her intention. I grinned. The more I acted like myself instead of Colin, the more I confused her. What I hoped to gain from her confusion was curiosity.Intrigue.Those were steps in the right direction.
After a short moment, her brother, Frederick Sharp, stepped outside. His new jacket was gray and reserved, and he had abandoned his walking stick, trading the orange and yellow waistcoat for a pale blue one. The young man had an easy smile, with straight dark hair, dark eyes, and a slim, tall frame. He carried himself with a lack of seriousness that reminded me of myself at his age.
“How will you catch any attention wearing that?” I asked as he joined us on the cobblestones.
Frederick sighed, his mouth lifting into a grin. “A pity, is it not? I could have been the talk of the town.”
Miss Sharp scoffed. “The only attention you would have gained would have been from bees mistaking you for a flower.”
Frederick extended his arm to Mrs. Cresswell. “We should be glad that I changed, then. Aunt Julia despises bees.”
Mrs. Cresswell nodded, eyes round. “I know they serve their purpose, but I do have great difficulty maintaining my composure when approached by one. It is one of the reasons I rarely venture outside in warm weather.” She glanced warily at the blue sky.
“I shall protect you, aunt.” Frederick cast a grin in my direction as he led his aunt forward.
I carefully set the bouquet of daffodils on the side of the street. I was certain someone more grateful would gladly scoop them up and put them in a vase at home. If not, they could wither and die in front of Newbury’s, and Miss Sharp could be reminded of me each time she saw them from her window.
I extended my arm. She took it with no small measure of hesitation. We followed several yards behind her aunt and brother, our voices lost in the hustle of Milsom Street. I felt the gazes of several passersby, likely assessing why Colin was walking with Miss Sharp in the middle of the morning. The gossip wouldn’t take long to spread, especially once we reached Sydney Gardens. We would have to pass by the Abbey, the Pump Room, and Great Pulteney Street, which was only the beginning of the scrutiny. Sydney Gardens was the place to see and be seen.
I studied the side of Miss Sharp’s face as we walked. She seemed intent not to look up at me, so I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “If you didn’t want my daffodils, you could have simply told me.”
Her gaze lifted to mine. “I would have, but you don’t seem to listen when I tell you I don’t want things.”
“Such as?”
“Your attention. Your company. Your fortune.” The words spilled out without a hint of hesitation.
Her audacity was alarming, yet also refreshing. I laughed. “I thought youdidwant my fortune. You were quite clear on that matter.”
“I wantafortune, yes, but I no longer want yours.”
“Ah, so you want a fortune that isn’t tainted by a man with a boorish personality?”
“I’m glad you are finally aware of your shortcomings.” I might have been mistaken, but I thought I saw her lips twitch. “To answer your question—yes. I prefer my money untainted. Pristine.”
Bath Abbey loomed ahead, temporarily distracting me with its tall windows and butter-golden stone reflecting the morning sunlight. A pair of ladies in blue walked past, whispering as they stared at Miss Sharp and me. Colin was not often seen with a lady on his arm, but he was confident that he could recover from any rumors that might form. Any guilt I had felt for teaching Miss Sharp a lesson was long gone. My conscience was just as pristine as Miss Sharp liked her money. “If my fortune is tainted, then whose do you now desire?” I asked.
“That is none of your concern, Mr. Campbell.” Her fingers barely touched my arm as we walked, but I felt each one of them brushing against my sleeve.
“Sir William’s?” I guessed.
She stared straight ahead as we turned the corner. “I find Sir William to be an agreeable man. My interest in him has nothing to do with his fortune.”
I scoffed. “I find that difficult to believe.”
“That a man with a fortune could also be agreeable? I assure you, I share your surprise.”
If I were actually Colin, I might have taken offense. Instead, an unwelcome laugh of disbelief burst out of my throat.This woman. Her boldness was unmatched. I suddenly had countless questions about her life, her upbringing, and what had possibly caused her to be so impudent. Did she behave like this with everyone, or only with me?
We walked through the entrance of Sydney Gardens, the winding path leading us past countless trees, bushes, and follies. Pavilions and hedge archways punctuated the various paths, but we remained close behind Mrs. Cresswell and Frederick. I doubted Miss Sharp wanted to be alone with me. Each time she glanced at my face, the sunlight caught the brown of her irises, bringing out streaks of gold. Her rosy lips looked soft despite the harsh expressions she made with them.
Though our conversation had faded, I couldn’t stop looking at her.
Nor did I have any wish to.
“Besides money,” I began, “what else do you like?”
