Page 19 of Beauty and the Baker
He was definitely muscular, as she could see the way his linen shirt pulled across his arms and chest. He wore a pair of dark pants and brown boots.
She felt her insides expand and a warmth push from her belly upwards. She had never experienced a feeling like this before. It was such an unfamiliar feeling. She must be more tired than she thought.
He was looking at her with confusion. “Do I know you?” he asked.
“I don’t think so, mister. I don’t know anyone here.” She took a large swallow and stood up as straight as she could. “Don’t make any sudden moves.”
“I swear I know you.”
Georgina gave a nervous laugh. “I don’t imagine how you could.” She jabbed the broom in his direction, using it to punctuate each word. “I heard there was a man sneaking into gardens late at night. Was doing terrible things – peeking in windows.”
“That is terrible. I’m not peeking in windows. I was looking under the bench.” He gave a small laugh and lowered his hands. Just a few minutes prior he was doing the exact same thing to that Mr. Pennyworth.
“What’s so funny?” she said, jabbing the broom handle in his direction once more.
“Are you planning on stabbing me with that?” he asked pointing to the broom.
“Oh!” Georgina rested the broom against the wall. She held onto the coal pan just in case.
“Thank you, “ the man said. He gave her a hard look. “You realize you are covered in flour?”
Georgina touched her head, a cloud of dust exploding where she swiped her locks. “I had an accident.” The man snickered. Georgina glared at him. “What are you doing in here?”
“Would you believe it if I said I was looking for a cat?”
“Can’t be too careful, nowadays.” The man scratched his chin. He had the start of stubble appearing, the black hair a stark contrast against his pale skin. “A cat you said?” The man nodded. “Orange stripes?”
The man looked at her thoughtfully. “No,” he said shaking his head. “Gray and white. And very quick,” he added. “I thought I saw him jump over the fence into the garden here.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Georgina pointed to the small garden shed in the corner of the lot. It was where auntie stored her garden tools. “He went under there.”
The man nodded and walked over before kneeling down and peering under the structure. “Mr. Gladstone, get out of there right now.”
Georgina could hear the cat hiss from under the shed. “I don’t think he is happy with you.”
The man looked back at her, a frown marring his otherwise handsome face. “This is a bother. Cassandra asked me to do one simple thing.” Georgina gave a little giggle. She hadn’t heard anyone else saybotherin years. She tried to quell a bit of disappointment as he said the woman’s name.
Oh, bother, Georgina,she thought to herself.You have no business wondering about things like that. Why would it matter anyway, since you are engaged to another?
The man continued. “She went to the theater tonight. Asked me to keep the cat in the house. First chance he gets, the animal is gone.”
“Maybe he doesn’t like you?” Georgina offered.
The man looked back under the shed and then rolled to his feet. “Why would you say that?”
“If he keeps trying to get away from you. You do seem rather cross at him. You aren’t going to hurt him, are you?” Georgina shoved the coal pan towards him.
The man held his hands out towards her, waving them. “No way, lady. That cat isn’t mine.”
“But here you are. Trying to capture it.”
“Just because he escaped from the house.”
“Uh-huh.” Georgina didn’t look convinced.
“Georgina,” her aunt called from inside.
“You might as well go and see her,” Georgina said. “She talks about you all the time. Says you are one of her best customers.” The man looked confused. “Go on.” She shooed him towards the house.
