so quickly between them.
She could remind herself to keep her head. She could fight back the flutters.
But that didn’t change the reality of her circumstances. She was wandering about Vauxhall with a charming man who appeared to be a skilled flirt.
Every girl who was ever compromised probably felt the same way at one time. She would be careful and try not to do anything she later regretted.
“Primrose,” he echoed, as though tasting her name on his lips. “Fitting. It suits you.”
The heat in her face only intensified. “My mother has an interest in floriculture.” One of the few things aside from shopping and gossip and marrying off her daughters that held her interest. “She named all her daughters after her favored flowers.”
“Ah . . . you must have a sister named Lily.”
“Surprisingly, no.”
“Ah.” He nodded. “She didn’t name one of your sisters after the corpse flower, I hope.”
She let loose a short bark of laughter. “There is a corpse flower?”
“Indeed. Smells like a rotting animal.”
“Oh dear. No. I do not have a sister named . . . Corpse.”
“Well, that is a good thing.” He gestured for them to depart the alley. She accepted his proffered arm, nestling her hand in the crook of his elbow.
Together, they stepped back out onto the main row, leaving the murk behind. Instantly she felt more at ease under the glow of lamplight.
They both looked left and right as though they might spot their friends. People strolled and bustled about, but no one she recognized.
His gaze settled on her face. “No sight of them.” One of his shoulders lifted in a fatalistic half shrug. “Do you see your friend?”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t see Olympia anywhere. She’s wearing a bright yellow gown.”
“Ah. Hard to miss, I imagine.”
“Quite so,” she agreed.
“Well. I am certain they are walking about looking for us at this very moment.” He gave her an encouraging smile.
Gone was the surly man from earlier. She rather liked this smiling version of him. There was not a great amount of smiling in her home, and she couldn’t help thinking how very much she liked his quick and ready grin.
She nodded, hoping he was correct. “I am certain, too.”
“Then it is just us.”
Us.
Primrose and a handsome young man. It was something she could never have dreamed up, even in her most far-fetched fantasies. And she did have those. Fantasies aplenty. There was always ample time for daydreaming when left to her devices, as she was most days (and most evenings). She had spent many an afternoon with a book half-read in her lap, gazing out the window, envisioning all the things she might do once she turned ten and six.
She could never have even fantasized this current reality.
A thrilling little shiver raced down her spine as the word us echoed through her mind. She should not feel so delighted at the prospect of them together. She should feel only worry for Olympia. Her friend was out there alone. Although Olympia was a most capable young lady. Her mother didn’t keep her sequestered inside the house like a pet bird in its cage. She’d lived abroad in several different places, spoke multiple languages, and was so much more experienced and worldly than Primrose. Her friend always had a clever rejoinder. Olympia always knew what to do and say in any given situation.
There was consolation in that, at least.
They strolled down the row into the deepening night. “Have you any idea where your friend might have gone?” he asked. “Did you talk of something you wanted to see following the tavern?”
“Ah. Yes!” Prim nodded. Why had she not thought of that before? “I mentioned the acrobats to her!”
His expression brightened. “Well, I know where they are. Come along. It’s this way.”
No true gentleman would soil his gloves with trade.
—Lady Druthers’s Guide to Perfect Deportment and Etiquette
There’s something very attractive about a man who is unafraid of doing the work that needs to be done.
Chapter Seven
A crowd had gathered and it was difficult to see through the mass of bodies.
“Are you certain we are in the right place?” Prim asked, craning her neck in the hopes of obtaining a glimpse at what everyone was watching.
“Yes. Come, this way.” He led her up a small knoll, winding through observers to reach the top. When they arrived at the peak, they turned and looked down at the acrobats. A cheerful tune played from nearby flutists whilst a trio of men tossed flaming batons with great skill.
It was impressive.