Rose Gardner's Florist (The Providence Street Shops #2) - Bonnie Dee Page 0,37

her away from the odorous city to enjoy some fresh country air. A vision of picnicking by a stream dissolved into a fantasy of moonlit woods and a grove blessed by fairies. A perfect setting for passion, as Harkins had said.

“Enough. Let us review your lesson once more then end the session. I have other tasks awaiting me.”

With a groan, Harkins faced his eraser-smudged papers once more. Will led him through the process and by the end of a quarter hour his pupil seemed to have a marginally better grasp of the equation. After that, Will nearly shoved the chap out the door in his hurry to ready himself to meet with Rose that evening.

Hours passed with aching slowness as Will supervised the builders putting beds in the conservatory and cared for some plants delivered too early from the nursery. Tea passed his lips untasted, and at last he counted down the final minutes until Jennings arrived. The tall, thin man could have easily passed for a stereotypical undertaker from a Dickens story. His bony face and sunken eyes suggested mourning even though he was actually a genial fellow.

At the rear door of the florist’s, Rose greeted them with a smile and an intoxicating whiff of perfume. Or perhaps it was merely the flowers she worked with, Will thought, as she ushered them up the stairs to her flat.

Inside, a doe-eyed brunette stood holding a plate of truffles, the chocolate sort rather than the earthy fungi considered such a delicacy. Rose ushered her forward and introductions were made.

Mr. Jennings’ eyes widened at Miss Candace Sweet’s name. “The missing heiress. Good heavens! Notice of your disappearance has been in the papers.”

“We saw no word mentioned,” Rose said.

“Then you haven’t read today’s Times. The article included an illustration, although I must say the picture does not reflect Miss Sweet’s current appearance.”

“Several years ago, I sat for a photograph to include in a Christmas greeting to my guardian. I was somewhat heavier then.” Miss Sweet rubbed her forehead. “So Mr. Merker is publicly searching for me. How did the article explain the circumstances?”

“It did not hint at foul play, but suggested you had experienced a nervous interlude prior to your disappearance. Let us sit, Miss Sweet, and you may tell me your story,” Jennings said calmly. “I do not take what your guardian suggests at face value.”

Will would have greatly liked to learn more, but this interview should remain between solicitor and client. He excused himself, saying he would wait downstairs.

“I’ll come with you. Unless you wish me to stay, Candace.”

Miss Sweet shook her head. “No, thank you.”

As Rose passed Will to lead the way from the room, the hairs on his arm rose like antenna, vibrating at her presence.

Once they reached the workroom and sat at the table, Rose filled him in on Miss Sweet’s story. “Her parents died when she was young, leaving her to the care of a family friend. Now she is approaching twenty-one and he wants to wed her before he loses control of her fortune. She might protest, refuse him, and fight, but the law can make things difficult for a woman determined to gain her freedom. It is easier to believe her guardian has her best interests at heart, and heaven knows the lengths he might go to make her comply.”

Will shook his head. “Horrifying! It is a disgusting scheme to be perpetrated by one who is meant to treat her as if she were his own child.”

Rose drummed her fingers on the worktable hard enough to drill holes through it. “The law may find Miss Sweet of unsound mind and put her back into the hands of her persecutor.”

“Rest assured, if there is some loophole in the law to be found, Jennings is the man to discover and apply it.” Will attempted to sound reassuring, but the bleakness of the situation was formidable. It made him realize what freedoms he expected as his right, and how others in society were not so fortunate.

He covered Rose’s madly tapping fingers so they stilled. “If Miss Sweet’s guardian finds her and tries to coerce her, I promise I will not stand by and allow it to happen.”

She regarded him solemnly. “Somehow I believe it. You are the most honorable man I believe I’ve ever met.”

The shining intensity in her eyes nearly burned him. Will lowered his gaze as he asked the question he had determined to put forth before the evening was through. “This matter is so dire