“Well now, isn’t this a lovely surprise.” Dimity was waiting for her at the next stall. Of course, Abby had known she’d be there, as they’d been sending each other notes through Hogan.
“Dimity, how wonderful to see you.”
“Lord Raine has no wish for you to—”
“That will do, thank you, Mrs. Secomb,” Abby said, tucking her arm through her friend’s. “I wish to walk with my friend. Please accompany Hogan.”
“Hello, Hogan.” Dimity waggled her fingers at the footman, who replied with a nod. “I like this new assertiveness in you,” Dimity whispered as they walked on. “Mrs. Sourpuss did not look pleased. Now, tell me how things are going for you in the house with those heathens who share your blood?”
Dimity wore a plain beige dress, nothing flattering, but on her it was anything but plain. She exuded courage and beauty, and not for the first time, Abby wondered about her friend’s past. Dimity had shared little of her life, saying only that it was complicated.
“Yes, I am standing up to her and also taking direction from you in my behavior. I am now all that is correct and proper.”
“And how are your brothers coping?”
“They don’t like it, and it’s making them nervous. Michael said that I am a different person in the same body.”
“I bet you’re making them nervous.” Dimity laughed. “Wonderful!”
“I am going to get you back into my household, Dimity.”
“As much as I would love that, I was only your piano teacher three days a week, Abby.”
“And I miss you. Are you all right?” Dimity’s eyes weren’t twinkling as they normally did. “What has happened?”
“Nothing has happened. I miss you also.”
They stopped briefly while Abby got something out of her reticule. “You will take this, and I don’t want to hear a word against it.” She handed over some money.
“You don’t owe me money.” Dimity tried to push it away.
“And yet you will take this as I wish it so, my friend. I owe you more than a few coins, but for now this will have to suffice.” Abby closed them inside her friend’s hands.
“Thank you, Abby, I cannot deny it will go a long way toward alleviating my situation.”
“Have you found more work, Dimity?”
“Not yet, but I have a few prospects which I expect to explore today. Papa has gone away for a while, to teach, so it is just me in the rooms.”
“You must be lonely?”
“Not at all. You know me, I am never without someone to talk to.”
Something niggled about her friend’s overly cheerful expression.
“You will come to me, Dimity, if you need help, won’t you?”
“Of course. Now enough of this talk. Look at those peonies. Come, we must inspect them, as they are your favorite.”
“Well now, if it isn’t the most beautiful woman in all of London.” The young man selling the flowers was smiling at Dimity. Abby had noticed that when her friend was near, men were overly attentive.
“Two of the most beautiful women in London,” Dimity corrected.
“Begging your pardon, two,” the man said quickly.
She waved his words away and moved on while Dimity flirted with him. Picking up a beautiful pink rose, she inhaled the scent and saw him. Daniel Dillinger. He was staring at a table of flowers with an intensity that told her something else was on his mind.
His hat was in one large hand, and his hair ruffled gently in the breeze. The lapel on his dark gray jacket was raised on one side, suggesting he’d donned it in haste. Why was he here? Was he selecting flowers for a woman? Family member? She hoped it was the latter.
He looked a lone figure standing surrounded by people. She wanted to approach, but as she’d lied to him, she doubted he would welcome her. But oh, how she felt the pull to do so. The man made her feel things deep inside.
Shooting a look behind her, she saw that Hogan and Mrs. Secomb were having a heated debate over something, and Dimity was still flirting. Her eyes returned to Daniel in time to see him run a hand over his face, his fingers pressing briefly into his eyes. It was the gesture of someone who was tired, worried, or both. Before she could talk herself out of it, she’d walked down the row and back up the other side to where he stood.
“Hello.”
He turned and had no time to school his thoughts. The devastation she saw there had her lifting a hand