Rose Gardner's Florist (The Providence Street Shops #2) - Bonnie Dee Page 0,35

care about enough to marry.”

“Aren’t you afraid of bein’ a spinster? You’re already so old!”

“I’m only just twenty-two, hardly a crone.” She refrained from pointing out that Arietta was too young to be wed, then found herself admitting, “Recently I’ve begun seeing a man who is…” How to describe Will in terms Arietta would understand. His intellect would not impress her. His money would. “He is kind, generous, and soft-spoken—all the things Dad and the boys are not. He would never yell or lift a hand in anger.”

Arietta clicked her tongue dismissively. “What sort of man don’t show some temper? Sounds like a limp-wristed dishrag.”

Once again, Rose recalled why she and her sister had nothing in common. “He is not weak, and he treats me with the respect I deserve.”

“Does ‘e own a shop too? Can ‘e set you up so you don’t ‘ave to work no more?”

“I like to work. I love managing my store. If you don’t understand that, then you don’t know me at all,” Rose said crisply, then drew a breath. “I expect you had better get home now. I’ll see you on your wedding day.”

“Awright. Ta, then.” Arietta held the dress box under one arm as Rose saw her to the door. Her sister left without a “thank you” for the gown.

Rose was not surprised.

Candace had been removing dead leaves and flower heads and now joined Rose. “Your sister seems nice. I always wished I had a sibling.”

“You’re welcome to mine.” After only a few days, Rose already felt closer to Candace than to her actual sister. “I shouldn’t complain. Soon enough she’ll be gone, and I suppose I might miss her then.”

“It is still early,” Rose continued. “Would you care to meet my friend Hattie? We might walk over and see if she is at home. I promise you may trust her with your true identity, and she can be a great comfort.”

Chapter Twelve

“Why didn’t you talk to me sooner? I’ll get Rumsfield on the case and he’ll find some solution.” Guy paced Hattie’s sitting room with his usual boundless energy, making it feel as if he were already getting things accomplished. “This fellow sounds like the very devil, so there’s bound to be something to uncover about him.”

“Detective Rumsfield is quite remarkable.” Hattie offered a plate of biscuits to her guests and explained to Candace, “On our behalf, he learned the whereabouts of a missing young woman earlier this summer.”

Candace regarded Guy Hardy nervously, clearly uncomfortable at meeting not only Harriet Glover but her fiancé as well. Guy had wheedled her story from her, and now was on a tear to resolve the situation.

“Rumsfield can dig up dirt on most anyone. You might be able to use what he finds in a court case.” Guy barely paused in his pacing to snatch up a biscuit.

“Court case?” Candace repeated faintly. “I do not desire that sort of publicity. I simply wish to quietly earn my independence.”

“Sometimes these things get messy. You may be in for a fight, so you should have all the facts.” Guy spoke through a mouthful of biscuit, gestured emphatically, and scattered crumbs.

“Darling, you are not setting Miss Sweet at ease,” Hattie pointed out gently. “This is her life. You’ve presented an option, now allow her the courtesy of considering it and making her own decision.”

Guy swallowed, choked and seized a cup of tea. “You’re right, of course. Pardon my overbearing nature, Miss Sweet. I often become too enthusiastic.”

“Which is not always a bad thing,” Hattie murmured.

Rose snorted with laughter, while Candace seemed oblivious of the double meaning.

“Well, you’ve got Will’s solicitor anyway,” Guy continued. “Perhaps you won’t require more aid than that. I can’t imagine why you did not call me right away. I have a solicitor too, you know,” he scolded Rose.

“I didn’t think of it. Mr. Carmody was uppermost in my mind.” She hastily amended, “Because we have been working together in his conservatory.”

“How is that project going, by the way?” Hattie’s eyes asked a different question over the rim of her teacup.

“Quite well. We are nearly ready to begin bedding,” Rose replied. “The plants! Bedding the plants.”

Hattie pressed her lips tight to suppress a grin. “I’m certain you will both be happy with what you create together.”

Rose glared at her while Candace and Guy weren’t looking.

But Hattie seemed to be in an irrepressible mood tonight. “Mr. Carmody is a dear soul. If anyone may be counted on for support and faithfulness, it is he. I believe he