Rose Gardner's Florist (The Providence Street Shops #2) - Bonnie Dee Page 0,32
repeated in her brain. It was a tune played on the carousel in the park across the street. Often the strains of the calliope drifted on the breeze to bring the whirling ponies directly into the shop. Her heart felt rather like one of those painted horses now, galloping in mad circles and getting nowhere.
“Maybe not singing, but you are humming. Might it have something to do with your appointment yesterday? Did you find Mr. Carmody’s conservatory quite to your liking?”
Rose answered as if she was not aware of Candace’s teasing tone. “I did. We removed some old tables and as soon as the garden beds are finished, we are very excited to begin planting.”
“Mm-hm.” Candace resumed watering.
Rose feigned a punch to her shoulder. “You are entirely too saucy for an assistant. I must say you too appear to be in a great humor today.”
“Because for the first time in years I feel unfettered.” She exhaled deeply. “Madame’s school was as structured as any military unit, and since returning to London, I’ve done nothing but fear my future. I still have no idea what it holds, but thanks to your kindness, I am out from under Mr. Merker’s roof. I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude for this freedom.”
“Stuff and nonsense. You are doing me a favor. As you can tell after only a couple of days of working here, I desperately needed an assistant. You are a perfect flatmate as well, tidier than I am by far. We will get along wonderfully for so long as you choose to stay.”
Candace’s joy diminished. “But I cannot hide from my guardian forever. He no doubt has detectives or agents searching for me. There will come a day of reckoning, when I must stand against him.”
“I hope you do not mind that I asked Mr. Carmody if his solicitor might help in the matter. Perhaps there is a loophole by which you might claim your inheritance early.”
“On the contrary, I am greatly pleased!” Candace’s skirt brushed against the freshly watered plants, dampening the dress she had borrowed from Rose. “I will appreciate any help as I have no idea what legal recourse is available to me.”
“Then I will telephone Mr. Carmody to set a meeting.”
“Can I trust his discretion? If word of my whereabouts got back to Mr. Merker, he might try to take me by force.”
Rose took her hand and gave a supportive squeeze. “I’m certain you may trust William Carmody and his solicitor, but serving customers might bring unwanted attention. You should work with the flowers in back.”
“I am of most use to you on the floor. No one in this city has seen me since I left for France five years ago, and rarely before that as I was merely a child. I doubt anyone would recognize my face.”
“I fear for you, Candace, nearly as much as you fear for yourself. We should take precautions.”
A customer swept into the store like a strong wind, interrupting their discussion.
Rose recognized Lady Anne Cromwell, Guy Hardy’s former lover and one of the wealthiest widows in London. Her ladyship’s patronage could make a restaurant, or a shop, instantly popular, as her support of Hattie’s millinery had done.
“I simply must have that arrangement in the window. The design is exquisite,” the patrician beauty proclaimed without preamble. “Have it delivered to this address.”
The lad trailing behind her carrying packages hurried to present Rose with Lady Cromwell’s card.
Rose did not usually sell the display bouquet, but she would not turn down this opportunity. “I will telephone the delivery service right away and have it sent over.”
Her ladyship took a long look around the shop. “Very nice. I will be certain to recommend the place. Prospect Street is fast becoming my favorite shopping spot. Tres chic for a once drab neighborhood.”
Rose recognized her ladyship’s chapeau as one of Hattie’s creations and wondered if the woman knew her favorite milliner and her ex-lover were soon to be married. Would that prompt her to end her patronage of the Prospect Street shops? That was a worry for another day and there was nothing to be done about it.
As quickly as she had entered, Lady Anne blew out of the shop, trailing the scent of gardenias behind her.
“Who was that?” Candace stared at the feathered hat bobbing down the street through the front window.
Rose explained the importance of their illustrious visitor without mentioning her ladyship’s affair with Hardy. The young woman’s ignorance of someone as well-known as Lady Anne Cromwell underscored