Rose Gardner's Florist (The Providence Street Shops #2) - Bonnie Dee Page 0,7

agree to attend only to make an excuse and bow out later? For that is what will happen if you keep insisting. I do not enjoy these sorts of events or engaging in desultory conversation with women with whom I have nothing in common.”

Unless the woman happened to be Miss Rose Gardener. He could not pinpoint what it was about her that had immediately seized his attention. It was not merely her pretty face, for he had seen plenty of those in his lifetime. There was something about her joyful demeanor, the way she carried herself, and how she spoke that attracted him beyond all reason. Will wanted to return to the shop simply to listen to her voice. She might speak on any subject and he would be enthralled.

Mother engaged Father in their argument. “Horace! Tell him he ought to go.”

He looked up from his empty bowl with a gruff, “Hmph.” His hazel eyes, a mirror of Will’s own, darted back and forth between son and wife. “Best do as your mother bids. She is generally right about this sort of thing. It is time you were married and started a family. It’s what one does… isn’t it.”

Will sighed. “Very well. I will attend Lady Smyth’s party and meet these young ladies, but do not expect me to stay for long.”

“A respectable length. You must dance and chat with each of them. Do make an effort, William.” With her goal accomplished, his mother’s harangue subsided, and she spoke more gently. “I comprehend your anxiety in social situations, dear. If you feel ill at ease, find a topic of interest to the lady and allow her to do the talking. It will remove the onus of carrying the conversation from you.”

Good advice. He would be sure to apply it next time he went to the florist’s. Rather than fumbling for something clever to say, he would discover a topic of interest to Miss Gardener. Guy had mentioned her devotion to the suffrage cause. That should do the trick. As it was a cause he agreed with, it should be easy to concur with what she said.

The rest of the meal passed uneventfully. As usual, Mother spoke of her garden club and her prize-winning roses. Will suggested she might try Rose Gardener’s Florist for any supplies she might require for her hobby.

“Why in the world would I go all the way into the city, when everything I need is available in the village?”

Father suddenly interrupted. “Your mother wants the tennis court dug up and turned into a water garden. Rupert and Virginia don’t care about anything other than their horses, but I thought you or Penelope might have an opinion as you both play on occasion.”

“I’d prefer the court remain since Guy and I use it, but I don’t live here. You’ve given me the London house for my own. That in itself is generous enough. Mother should do as she likes.”

“Of course, you must have a say. I told you he would mind, Gwyneth. Find another spot to locate your pond.”

“Waterscape,” she corrected. “A profusion of fountains, one spilling into the next, and culminating in a pond with water lilies. But if William wants the court, naturally we shall keep it.”

A passing thought galvanized him. “Mother, might I transplant one or two of your rosebushes to the conservatory in the London house?”

She laughed. “Don’t be silly. One does not transplant fully mature bushes without risk of killing them. And the conservatory is in no condition to house anything. You must be aware the panes need glazing and a new radiator system ought to be installed. Good gracious, do you pay no attention to your surroundings?”

Truth be told, the most important room in the house was his precious library, which he had expanded into an adjacent room to house his collection. Will had hardly noticed the conservatory falling into disrepair. After having electricity installed throughout the house, he’d neglected any further home improvements.

“I’m afraid I have been derelict in my duties. I haven’t cared for the house as well as I ought. I shall do better.”

Beginning with the conservatory. Tomorrow he would hire workers to bring it up to snuff then ask Miss Gardener for advice on filling it with growing things. He would create an opportunity to communicate with her often for a legitimate reason.

Eager to drive home and begin planning, Will pushed his chair away from the table. “I am sorry. I shan’t be able to stay for a