Page 69 of A Very Bellamy Christmas

Andrew gave an embarrassed chuckle as the other man’s sharp gaze moved to the fan Mrs. Johnson was wrapping and his eyebrows rose. “Something for a special lady?” he teased, but then his eyes widened when they landed on the unfurled fans. “That butterfly fan—did you just buy it?”

“I did.” Andrew hesitated and then added, “I hope you don’t mind, but I bought it for your daughter.”

Needham’s face creased in an expression of surprised pleasure. “That is remarkably handsome of you, Shelton.” He hesitated, an almost sheepish expression taking possession of his harsh features.

“Is something wrong?” Andrew asked.

“No, no. It’s just that my wife has a rather interesting effect on butterflies.”

“Indeed, she does,” Mrs. Johnson chimed in. “Why, I recall when she was just a little girl at the church fete we have every summer. She must have had a dozen of the creatures on her!”

Miss Finley nodded. “I wish they were so attracted to me.”

“It is true,” Needham said at Andrew’s skeptical look. “They love her. If there is one in the area, it will find her.”

“Then you should have the fan,” Andrew said. “I will take the last one for your daughter. It has deer on it.”

“Lucy will love that. She is wild for creatures of all sorts.”

Andrew nodded. “I’ve seen her with the little red squirrel.” The beast had scared the hell out of him when it had thrust its rat-like face out of Lucy’s hair one evening in the drawing room.

“She dotes on Silas,” the viscount agreed.

Andrew turned to Mrs. Johnson. “I will take the deer and give his lordship the butterflies.”

“My wife will love it.” Needham looked delighted. Who would have believed that a businessman who struck terror into the hearts of grown men all over Britain with his hard-nosed bargaining could look so giddy at the thought of a fan?

Andrew felt an unexpected pang of envy. What he was envious of, he was not quite sure.

***

Stacia lightly caressed a delicate silver ring in the shape of a rose. It had been a long, long time since she had coveted something so much. And an even longer time since she had made such an indulgent purchase.

Unfortunately, it was simply too expensive. Besides, she wasn’t at the fete to buy herself a gift. She’d purchased a jar of honey for Miss Ackers so all she needed was a gift for Lady Shaftsbury. And Stacia had already decided on a gift for her.

“I know you like him.”

Stacia looked up from the ring at the sound of Lady Kathryn’s voice. “I beg your pardon?”

The beautiful redhead smiled, her eyes brimming with mischief. “You heard me.”

Stacia returned the ring to its velvet box, unease unfurling in her belly. “I heard you, but I don’t know what you mean.”

“Lord Shelton. You like him. Not just like him, but—”

Stacia took the younger woman’s arm and pulled her away from the small cluster of shoppers at the jewelry table before demanding in a low, unamused voice, “What are you talking about, Lady Kathryn?”

“Shelton. I can see how you feel about him.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” But heat surged up Stacia’s neck and she knew her face was betraying her.

Lady Kathryn leaned closer. “I believe he is not indifferent to you, either.”

Stacia felt a stab of anger at the beautiful young woman’s taunting. “You are talking rubbish! And it is—it is unkind.”

It was Lady Kathryn’s turn to look bewildered. “Unkind? But why would—”

“Just look at me. And then look at him,” Stacia hissed.