Historical Box Set 1-4 Nov 2020 by Sophia James

Author:Sophia James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon Historical
Published: 2020-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Outside the drawing room door, Harriet brushed away the tears that she’d barely been able to control when seeing Redford’s rather lost expression when she’d told him she had no intention of accepting his offer.

She sniffled and found a handkerchief thrust at her. Mr Sand. He gave her a sympathetic glance. ‘I will show you out.’

Mortified, she glared at him. ‘I hope you were not listening in on our private conversation.’

He put a hand to his heart. ‘Would I do such a thing?’

‘Yes.’

He grinned. ‘This way, miss.’ He directed her towards an impressive set of stairs.

‘This is not the way I came in.’

‘His Lordship wouldn’t want you to leave by the servants’ entrance.’

Since she had no idea where the servants’ stairs were, she pressed her lips together and descended to an imposing hall, decorated with chinoiserie wallpaper. It all looked so opulent. But then her father had hidden his financial difficulties beneath a cheerful manner and purchases he could ill afford, but that he was sure would make their fortune. For all she knew, Redford was on the brink of financial ruin. She shuddered at the thought.

She crossed the black and white marble floor where a footman stood ramrod-stiff beside the front door. He opened it as she approached.

Sand reached around him, pulled an umbrella from the stand and opened it for her as she stepped outside.

He shook his head. ‘Can’t understand it, I can’t. You nobs are half-flash, half-foolish.’ He ducked back inside.

Just as well. The tears were starting up again. Thank heavens for the umbrella. If Redford did happen to glance down into the street, her face would be hidden. It would never do for him to think she was not firm in her resolve.

She was. For his sake. She would not have him forced into marriage. Nothing in his reason for making the offer had in anyway suggested he felt more for her than he had felt for his erstwhile fiancée. He deserved to love and be loved.

* * *

When she arrived back at the shop, Mother was standing at door, peering into the street. ‘You did not say you were going out.’

‘I went to Billingsgate.’ She held out the paper-wrapped surprise. It had been a rather long detour, but she had thought of it when she was almost home. ‘It has been ages since we had a feast of whitebait.’

‘Ooh, lovely, dearie.’ Mother beamed. ‘What a nice surprise. Such a good girl you are.’ She retreated upstairs.

Harriet let go a breath. Now life really could go back to normal. She picked up her feather duster and flicked it at a statue of an entwined naked couple.

It was for the best. Truly.

* * *

Over the next two days, Harriet cleaned every shelf and rearranged the tiny window. With nothing left to do, she sat on the stool, her chin in her hand. How different she had felt in Bath. Like a completely different person without a care in the world. Happy. Now the very real prospect of financial disaster stared her in the face.

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