Rose Gardner's Florist by Dee Bonnie

Author:Dee, Bonnie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“Why didn’t you talk to me sooner? I’ll get Rumsfield on the case and he’ll find some solution.” Guy paced Hattie’s sitting room with his usual boundless energy, making it feel as if he were already getting things accomplished. “This fellow sounds like the very devil, so there’s bound to be something to uncover about him.”

“Detective Rumsfield is quite remarkable.” Hattie offered a plate of biscuits to her guests and explained to Candace, “On our behalf, he learned the whereabouts of a missing young woman earlier this summer.”

Candace regarded Guy Hardy nervously, clearly uncomfortable at meeting not only Harriet Glover but her fiancé as well. Guy had wheedled her story from her, and now was on a tear to resolve the situation.

“Rumsfield can dig up dirt on most anyone. You might be able to use what he finds in a court case.” Guy barely paused in his pacing to snatch up a biscuit.

“Court case?” Candace repeated faintly. “I do not desire that sort of publicity. I simply wish to quietly earn my independence.”

“Sometimes these things get messy. You may be in for a fight, so you should have all the facts.” Guy spoke through a mouthful of biscuit, gestured emphatically, and scattered crumbs.

“Darling, you are not setting Miss Sweet at ease,” Hattie pointed out gently. “This is her life. You’ve presented an option, now allow her the courtesy of considering it and making her own decision.”

Guy swallowed, choked and seized a cup of tea. “You’re right, of course. Pardon my overbearing nature, Miss Sweet. I often become too enthusiastic.”

“Which is not always a bad thing,” Hattie murmured.

Rose snorted with laughter, while Candace seemed oblivious of the double meaning.

“Well, you’ve got Will’s solicitor anyway,” Guy continued. “Perhaps you won’t require more aid than that. I can’t imagine why you did not call me right away. I have a solicitor too, you know,” he scolded Rose.

“I didn’t think of it. Mr. Carmody was uppermost in my mind.” She hastily amended, “Because we have been working together in his conservatory.”

“How is that project going, by the way?” Hattie’s eyes asked a different question over the rim of her teacup.

“Quite well. We are nearly ready to begin bedding,” Rose replied. “The plants! Bedding the plants.”

Hattie pressed her lips tight to suppress a grin. “I’m certain you will both be happy with what you create together.”

Rose glared at her while Candace and Guy weren’t looking.

But Hattie seemed to be in an irrepressible mood tonight. “Mr. Carmody is a dear soul. If anyone may be counted on for support and faithfulness, it is he. I believe he has great depths one must deeply plunge into in order to fully know him.”

Guy paused in his pacing to stare at his beloved. “What on earth are you talking about? We are discussing solicitors, not Carmody.”

“Yes, darling. Of course.” Hattie changed the subject. “Miss Sweet, do you have everything you require since you left home with nothing but the clothes on your back? I sympathize with your situation, my dear, as I long ago left my aunt and uncle with very little but my pride.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.