Rose Gardner's Florist (The Providence Street Shops #2) - Bonnie Dee Page 0,14

half of her face. The rest was cast in shadow. She swallowed before speaking.

“My guardian took me in after my parents died of influenza when I was very young. Since my return from school in Paris, he has begun looking at me with….” She shook her head. “That is not quite true. Even before I left for school at age thirteen, the feeling that he observed me in a peculiar way began. His gaze was not at all polite or paternal. Do you understand?”

“I have an uncle who would give me that sort of a look. Nothing came of it beyond some too familiar pats on the backside, but I do understand. Has this man made any improper suggestions?”

Candace shook her head. “But I feel it is only a matter of time. He assures me I needn’t worry about having a debutante season because he already has a husband in mind for me—a mature man who will guard me, guide me, and attend to all of my needs. The implication is that he is referring to himself.”

Miss Sweet pressed her palms to her stomach as if illustrating the spot from which her suspicions rose, or attempting to suppress queasiness. “I am almost twenty. If I can but hold him off until I reach the age of majority, I will gain control of my inheritance and my freedom. But I feel quite certain this man will not allow that.”

“He desires you and your fortune,” Rose said.

Miss Sweet nodded. “Every instinct tells me to run away before I am backed into a corner and cannot escape. But without a reference, it would be difficult to gain employment. My godfather has always paid for my needs, and never allowed me more than a little pocket money. I have saved a little, but am still as financially helpless as a child. Much as I would love to be brave like the suffragettes who go to prison for their cause, I don’t know if I could survive on my own without a penny.”

“Living in this world ain’t… isn’t easy,” Rose agreed. “I worked at a factory since age ten. Even with my whole family pitching in, life was hard.”

Partly because Mum drank away what was due to the landlord and Dad bought beer rather than bread.

“You should have your inheritance,” Rose declared emphatically. “Why should you abandon it to this snake? There must be a way to state your case in court.”

Miss Sweet exhaled and turned so shadow completely obscured her face. “If there is, I haven’t the wherewithal to hire legal counsel. I don’t know how long I can stall Mr. Merker, but I fear a wedding will take place before my twenty-first birthday. Should I refuse, he would find a way to drive me to the altar.”

“I wish I knew of some way to help you. I will try to think of something, but meanwhile, you may visit me at my shop any time you wish to talk, or if you are in fear for your safety.”

Tears welled in Miss Sweet’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Her shoulders shook as she pressed her hand to her mouth to hold back a sob.

Rose rested a hand on her back. “There now. You’ll be all right. Together we will find a way. I have a friend who might recommend a solicitor.”

After regaining her composure, Miss Sweet spoke again. “You cannot know how much it means to me to have a friend to talk with about such a personal matter. My schoolmates at Madame Brodeur’s Académie are scattered far and wide, nor is this a topic I could have discussed with them. We were sheep taught to be obedient, pleasant and polite, perfect young women preparing to become perfect wives. Any one of those friends would advise me to listen to what my guardian suggests, for he must have my best interests at heart.”

“Bollocks! Those girls sound like bleedin’ idiots.” Rose lost her polish entirely.

Miss Sweet’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. Then she began to laugh, a soft chuckle which turned into a gale of laughter verging on hysteria.

Rose grinned. “Feeling better?”

Her new friend gasped for breath. “Yes, I do. Much better. Thank you, Miss Gardener. Your descriptive words express everything that is in my heart in such a refreshingly honest manner.”

A cab had stopped at the stand where they waited. Rose impulsively drew the young woman into a swift hug. “If ever things become too dire, you must promise to come to