Page 54 of The Duchess’ Modiste

Chloe was uncertain what had affected the change between them, but now they were as they had always been, and there was none of that awkwardness. As they walked forward, into the main body of the park where people milled, Chloe was pleased to see that Leo persisted with the easy conversation.

“How is the shop? As busy as ever?”

“Curiously, not today. Perhaps everyone has ordered enough dresses for now. It was something of a relief, for I have time to catch up on all my sewing.” Chloe grimaced, remembering the pile of gowns she had back home to work on. She had to find a way to manage her workload, that was clear now. “It seems I have lost my evening partner who kept me company as I worked.” Chloe purposefully glanced at Leo.

He led her down a path toward the main body of the park, where a string quartet had taken up place in a bandstand, and people were gathered nearby to enjoy the music. In the sunlight, their clothes seemed to shimmer, and bonnets turned left and right, with their wearers eager to chat.

Leo turned his eyes toward the people, that easy smile back in place.

“I may have realized how much I was occupying you as of late,” Leo said. “My presence in your shop may put off the other admirers that are so keen to call.”

“Other admirers?” Chloe remembered the bunches of flowers that had been left for her. “Oh, you are referring to the flowers.”

“I was referring more to the gentlemen that had brought them.” Leo spoke slowly, elongating the moment. “I apologize if I’ve been keeping you away from other gentlemen’s attentions.”

“Oh, good lord, do not apologize for that!” Chloe said eagerly, rather relieved when Leo looked her way, his lips tilting up into the smallest of smiles. “I have met the two gentlemen who brought me flowers yesterday only once before. They were pleasant enough, but quite frankly, I would not want to be anything more than their friend. Lord Appleby is a rather proud fellow, and the conversation was one sided. As for Sir Painter, he was sweet, but was more interested in the way he looked than talking to me.”

“Truly?”

“Oh yes. If I had a penny for every time he adjusted his cravat and tailcoat the day he was in the shop, then I would have no need to work at all.” Chloe’s wit brought a deep laugh from Leo. “Please do not feel as if you have separated me from gentlemen whose good opinion I desire, for that is not the case. There’s only one man whose good opinion I want.”

“And who is that?” Leo brought her up short. The two of them fell still, and Chloe turned her eyes up to Leo, certain her face was flushing red.

This is the moment to speak.

Yet Chloe found her courage was failing her. Her lips parted, ready to tell Leo that his good opinion was the only one she wanted, but as he waited, his eyes never once darting away from her face, Chloe felt another pair of eyes boring into the back of her neck.

Curious at the feeling of being watched, Chloe angled her head, looking at the park. A group nearby that had been listening to the violinists were now pointing her way, whispering.

Chloe had seen enough whispered conversations of late to know what a group looked like when they were speaking of her designs or admiring her gown.Thislooked rather different. For starters, their eyes were not on her pale cream gown, patterned in a soft checkered material that was cinched high on the waist with lace across her neck. No, their eyes were on her face. One seemed to make a joke, that the others laughed at rather loudly, before they turned their backs on her.

“That was odd,” she murmured.

“Chloe? What is it?” Leo asked, trying to get her attention again.

“It is curious, but . . .” She nodded her head at the group. “If I didn’t know any better, I would say they are gossiping about us, Leo.”

“They are not the only ones.” Leo pulled on her arm a little, urging her to turn and look in a different direction. Two ladies were walking past, whispering behind fluttered fans, before most discernibly looking down on Chloe, lifting their noses high. “What is going on?” Leo asked, drawing her away.

“Has something happened? Is my dress torn or do I have something on my face?” Chloe lifted a free hand, brushing her cheek, but there was nothing there. A second later that hand was caught by Leo. His touch was gentle, as he drew her hand away from her face.

“Chloe, there is nothing wrong. On the contrary, you are quite beautiful today.” Leo’s words made Chloe flinch and stand straight, but Leo didn’t seem caught up in the compliment. He was looking elsewhere at the crowds near the bandstand. “Let us check something.” He led her forward, inching nearer to the nearest group. “Lord Wellington, how are you today?”

Chloe curtsied as Leo bowed to the nearest group of two gentlemen and a lady.

“Well,” Lord Wellington spoke tartly and barely greeted them in return, his eyes shooting straight to Chloe.

“Lady Wellington.” Chloe smiled at his wife beside him. “I have good news about your gown. It is nearly complete.”

“Oh, I . . .” She looked nervously to her husband. “I am afraid I will have to rescind the order.”

“Rescind it?” Chloe repeated, feeling her body turning numb. “But the work is nearly complete.”

“Come dear, let us depart.” Lord Wellington took his wife away, followed closely by their companion.

Chloe stared after them, with her lips parted, and her gloved hand clinging that bit tighter to Leo.

“Did I imagine that?” she whispered.

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