knuckles decisively on the countertop. ‘I’ll recommend this one whatever the consequences.’
‘Consequences?’ she couldn’t resist asking. ‘Are you likely to face those?’
‘Oh, yes. She’s quite a tyrant in her own way.’
‘Of course she is.’
‘But open-minded, too.’ He popped the last of the biscuit into his mouth. ‘I admire that in a person. Being judgemental is such an unattractive quality, don’t you think?’
‘I think it depends. There’s a difference between being judgemental and having high standards. Now, if that’s all, that will be four shillings.’
‘Ribbon?’
‘That costs more.’
‘Ah, but she’s worth it.’
‘Naturally.’ Anna narrowed her eyes, reaching under the counter for a roll of blue ribbon and then coughing loudly as she saw Henrietta’s companion touch her elbow.
‘That sounds nasty.’ Her own customer sounded amused. ‘Perhaps you ought to consult a physician about it.’
‘I’m perfectly well, thank you.’ She narrowed her eyes even further, though it was difficult to do so without actually closing them.
‘I’m relieved to hear it. Otherwise I’d have to suggest a visit to the Pump Rooms to take some of the waters, and it’s not an experience I’d recommend.’
‘Indeed? Then I wonder what you’re doing in Bath, sir?’ She gave the ribbon an aggressive snip with her scissors. ‘Isn’t it the start of the London Season soon? Perhaps you ought to be there, preparing yourself for balls at Almack’s and picnics at Vauxhall Gardens?’
‘Perhaps I should be.’ He gave a careless-looking shrug. ‘But what can a man do when his grandmother summons him?’
‘Your grandmother?’ She paused in the act of curling a ribbon.
‘My special lady, yes.’ The corners of his mouth curved upwards. ‘Who did you think I was talking about?’
‘I...’ She cleared her throat, willing the sudden onslaught of heat across her cheeks to subside. ‘Your wife, perhaps?’
‘Alas, I haven’t found a woman willing to put up with me yet. Hard to believe, isn’t it?’
‘Unfathomable.’ She finished curling the ribbons, trying to ignore an unwelcome frisson of excitement at the words. ‘There you are. I hope that your grandmother enjoys them. They were baked fresh this morning.’
‘Do you bake them yourself?’ He seemed in no hurry to be leaving, extracting a few coins from his coat pocket.
‘I do everything here myself. It’s my shop.’
‘You’re the proprietor?’ He looked impressed.
‘Yes.’
‘And the baker?’
‘And everything else.’ She lifted her chin proudly. ‘I do whatever needs doing.’
‘Then I compliment you, Mrs...?’
‘Miss Fortini.’
‘Miss Fortini.’ He repeated her name, his eyes lingering on her face in a way that made her wish she might plunge her head into a bucket of cold water. ‘Do you have a first name, too?’
‘Doesn’t everyone? But I share it with acquaintances, not customers.’
‘Ah. In that case it’s been a delight talking to you, Miss Fortini.’
‘Quite.’ She inclined her head and then twisted it pointedly to one side, focusing her attention back on Henrietta’s companion. ‘Now have you finished getting recommendations, sir, or did you only come to grace us with your presence again?’
‘Actually I’ve decided I’m not so hungry, after all.’ The irritant spun around with another wolfish grin. ‘However, I’ve just invited your charming assistant here for a walk, what with it being such a beautiful afternoon.’
‘So it is.’ Anna spoke quickly before her ‘charming assistant’ could agree to anything. ‘Unfortunately, as you may or may not have noticed, we have a business to run. Our customers can’t serve themselves.’
‘But we close soon,’ Henrietta interjected. ‘Couldn’t we leave just a little bit early for once?’
‘We still have cleaning up to do.’ Anna shot her a warning look.
‘Then perhaps I might wait and escort Miss Henrietta home? I’d be more than happy to do so.’
‘I’m sure you would.’ Anna gave a tight-lipped smile in return, reluctantly conceding that she’d been outwitted. Her own customer had already picked up his tin and tucked it neatly under his arm, though his expression was noticeably less triumphant than that of his friend. There was actually a small furrow between his brows as if he were displeased about something. It made a striking contrast to the way he’d smiled across the counter a few minutes before. No doubt that had just been a charming mask, one he felt able to drop now that his task as decoy was complete, but if he thought the matter was concluded, then he was very much mistaken. She wasn’t defeated yet!
‘Do you know...?’ She walked around the counter and across the shop floor to place a protective arm around Henrietta’s shoulders. ‘Now that I think of it, an evening stroll sounds most pleasant, after all. We’ll meet you in Sydney Gardens beside the grotto in half an hour, after we’ve tidied. That way we can escort Miss Gardiner home together.’
Samuel marched up and down a picturesque-looking pathway between rows of willow and ash trees, ardently wishing that he’d been out when his old friend had called to visit him that afternoon. As amusing as he’d found his encounter with the pretty and prickly Miss Fortini, his conscience was bothering him quite considerably. No matter how tedious he found life on shore, he should never have gone along with Ralph’s plan. It had felt dishonourable somehow, his behaviour that of a rake, or even worse, his father! This walk struck him as a monumentally bad idea, too, but he was involved now whether he liked it or not. To his own chagrin, it was too late to walk away.
‘I say!’ Ralph called out to him from the bench where he was lounging, arms thrown wide as if he hadn’t a care in the world. ‘Why are you in such a bad mood?’
‘Because I don’t appreciate being dragged into your romantic exploits, that’s why!’ Samuel practically exploded. ‘That whole scene felt underhand. You said it was just a little harmless flirtation, nothing about walks in the park.’
‘Well, I call that very ungrateful. Here I’ve arranged a promenade with two very attractive young ladies and all you can do is complain.’
‘An
