But he, with his eyes smiling deeply into Inès’s, spoke up. “No. That will not do.”
“What?”Inès was curious. “Please repeat that.”
The lady did.
Inès could not believe the price.
Halsey had a palm up as he shook his head. “My friend,” he said, curling his fabulous lips and showing her those two dimples she could not forget, “will not pay that.”
Inès opened her mouth.
“I won’t allow you to do it,” he said to her. Then, to the merchant, he said, “The lady offers half that.”
I do?She was shocked at his offer, but followed his lead. “S’il vous plaît.I must know the provenance of the instrument.”
“Provenance?” The shopkeeper shrugged. “No papers for it, I tell ye.”
“I see. Well, then, tell me your price again, madam.”
Halsey crossed his arms and braced his two feet as if he were a prize fighter.
His sister Jessica hummed deep in her throat.
Is that a sign of trouble?
The mother said to her son, “Surely, my darling, you are joking. That piece was once a lady’s pride and joy.”
“That was so long ago, Mama. Now it is fit only to hang my hat on.”
Jessica snorted.
Fee hooted.
Their mother shot her daughters quelling gazes. “Sweethearts, we do not make such sounds in public.”
Fee looked as though she would have replied, but her mother gave one shake of her head and the girl was clearly finished objecting.
Inès cleared her throat. “Please tell me your best price, madam.”
“Nine pounds.”
Clearly the shopkeeper had no idea what value she had in the piece that should sell for twice as much. “Sold.”
Halsey narrowed his gaze on Inès in such a fiendish way that she thought he intended to turn her over his knee.
“Wonderful,” said the shopkeeper. “Do you pay now, or…”
“Now,” Inès confirmed with a defiant smirk at Halsey.
The clerk trundled off to the front of her shop. “If ye’ve got the right amount.”
“I do.”
“Oh. Good. And if ye give me yer address, I’ll ’ave me boys bring it to you tomorrow.”
“No need.” Halsey came up right behind Inès. If she flowed backward, even an iota, she would be flush to his warmth. Through her layers of clothing she felt his heat now. Oh, to have a man to stand with her on all occasions. Even this man…
No, no, no.She brushed away the yearning and turned to face him. Near as she was, she had to put her hands to his chest or be guilty of touching his thighs. “I will have it delivered, sir, to my newly rented house before my first salon—”
