Daylight was less threatening. She was more likely to open the door. And then…
Keeping his mind on the current steps in his plan, he halteddecisively outside the solid wooden gate that he suspected led to some kind of service lane. It didn’t.
Opening it, he found himself in a small yard behind the shop. It was paved and well swept, and all around it were pots of beautifully scented flowers and herbs, contrasting vividly with the usually rank London air. Memory tried to distract him: a much younger Juliet kneeling by a flower bed, the sun on her golden hair, as she weeded the soil and cut chosen stems to brighten a house that was not hers. The scents of hyacinths and roses came back to him, mingling with rosemary and sage.
The plan, Kellar.
He knocked on the door, not so loudly that he would startle her, but not too timidly either. He wanted her to hear. Then he stepped politely back, so as not to loom. He had the feeling she would shut the door in his face if he loomed, and then where would the plan be?
The downstairs window showed him a little kitchen with a table and a couple of chairs—probably the back of the shop.
He heard movement beyond the door and caught his breath. A key was inserted into the lock and turned. Two bolts were drawn back. None of it was hurried, not even the opening of the door.
Juliet Silver wore a bright floral-print gown whose principal color was orange. She hadn’t painted her eyebrows or any other parts of her face, which betrayed more than her years. Life had not been kind to Juliet. But a trace of the young woman and her bold courage echoed in that direct, open gaze.
She didn’t even look surprised. “Sebastian. I thought it would be you.”
He took off his hat. “May I come in?”
Everything depended on her answer. Well, not everything. He still had an alternative.
Her eyes remained on his. He had to make an effort not to flex his fingers, ready to push open the door if he had to.
She moved the door suddenly, pulling it wide. “Well, don’t just stand there. I have five minutes before I need to go out.”
No, you don’t.Smiling, he stepped inside and closed the door.
