There Goes the Groom: A Victorian Romance (A Romance of Rank Book 3) by Esther Hatch

Author:Esther Hatch [Hatch, Esther]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arbory Press
Published: 2024-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

There was a distinct bounce in Matthew’s step as he made his way out of the milliner’s shop a few days later. The incident in the rain had changed the dynamic of his relationship with Miss Shroud. Matthew had managed to get help with the wheel, and the next few days of deliveries had gone smoothly. He no longer made a conscious effort not to speak to Miss Shroud. Her comment about his looks should have made him more wary, but he focused instead on the fact that she was the type of woman who liked to be liked by people and she wanted to be his friend. With the added protection of her being in love with some man out there, he no longer felt the need to distance himself from her. He just needed to banish the memory of her touching his face and the feel of her tucked into his side.

It had been over a week since Mandy asked for brown ribbon and he’d had no luck getting any scraps in any shade of brown. He looked down at the small parcel in his hand. It wasn’t often that Mandy asked for anything in particular. Mr. and Mrs. Garvis didn’t need to know he had paid for the ribbon this time. Miss Creighton had raised her eyebrows when he actually picked out a ribbon and bought it, instead of asking for scraps.

“Is it for Miss Shroud?” she’d asked.

Matthew had been certain to point out that it wasn’t. Even so, it was strange to hear Miss Shroud’s name on Miss Creighton’s lips. Miss Shroud hadn’t ever come into the millinery when he made deliveries. As far as he knew, they’d never met, but obviously people had been talking about them.

He drove the cart to the bookshop and walked in. Miss Shroud was in the back with an open book in front of her. Mr. Garvis stood behind the counter. “Scarper, welcome.”

Miss Shroud looked up from her book and smiled at him.

It might have been Miss Creighton’s insinuation about buying Miss Shroud a ribbon, but something about that smile struck him differently. Miss Shroud was being friendly with him, just as she was friendly with everyone, but still…

Her smile made him feel welcome, like he belonged. Like a hot pot of tea warming his fingers after being outside in the cold too long.

How long had it been since anyone had made him feel that way? Perhaps it was time that he went back to his family—back to where he belonged.

And yet, even at home, his parents' smiles had never felt like a warm pot of tea.

Maybe he just needed to buy a teapot.

Matthew placed his parcel on the countertop. “I’ve brought your daughter some ribbons from the millinery.”

Mr. Garvis’s face fell and he pushed the package back toward Matthew. “Oh, no. I’m not taking that.”

Matthew tipped his head to one side. “You don’t want me bringing her ribbon?”

“On the contrary. We love that you bring her ribbon, but I’ll not be the one to give it to her.

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