Page 103 of Lady Waldrey’s Gardening Almanac for Cultivating Scandal

“What of you?” His eyes drifted to her hand, which still clutched the terrible clock. “Found something to purchase?”

“Indeed.” She smiled widely. “I also need to see if Mr. Harris has fabric for bunting.”

Mr. Harris nodded and disappeared into his maze of shelves. The long-awaited quilts were already draped at the far end of the counter.

“For the picnic?” James guessed.

“Mrs. Penn suggested that she and the other ladies might work on the decorations in the evenings, if I procured the supplies.”

Candace smiled to cover up the illness that roosted in her stomach and threatened to rise up the back of her throat. James frowned as if he knew her smile wasn’t completely genuine.

“Are you having second thoughts about the party?”

“Not at all.”

She set the gaudy clock upon the counter as if she’d always meant to purchase it and rifled through the bolts of fabric that Mr. Harris spread across the polished surface. Candace took a bit longer than necessary selecting the colors she wanted; she needed a moment to collect herself.

Finally, she pointed at the blue, white, and yellow. “These will do nicely. Thank you, Mr. Harris.” She smiled up at James as the shopkeeper rang up her purchases. “Did you find anything?”

“Not today, unfortunately.”

He sounded genuinely disappointed by it, and Candace felt another sharp jab in the direction of her heart. Somehow, she had to overcome this inconvenient emotion. James loved Vera. But no matter how many times she’d told herself that, no matter how many times she’d convinced herself that she’d be happy for them, she knew she was lying.

Candace was selfish—she wanted James for herself, even more than she wanted the happiness of her dearest friends.

And didn’t that just make her the worst kind of person?

She went through the motions of paying for her purchases in a daze, placing the quilts, the bunting, and the ghastly clock into her basket.

“Allow me.”

James gently tugged the now heavy basket from her fingers when she hefted it. She let it go with a wan smile of thanks.

“Where to next?” he asked once they regained the street.

“I was supposed to meet Hortense—” As she said the words, she glanced to the side just in time to see Hortense and Thomas walking the other direction, their heads bent together. It appeared they were having an intense, private discussion.

“It appears she’s been waylaid.” James sounded amused.

She frowned. “Then I’ll be heading back to the house. She’ll figure out where I went.”

“Let me walk you.”

There was no way to refuse, no reason that she could give that wouldn’t arouse his suspicions. Besides, she just had to get through the next couple of months. James was already shopping for rings, which meant he’d propose very soon. They’d be married not long after that, and then Candace could...

What? What would she do after they were married? Cry herself to sleep every night, doubtlessly. Find another of her brother’s country estates to escape to, probably.

“What are you thinking of?” he asked.

They’d already made their way to the main road. The village was cut out of sight by a curve in the road and a grouping of trees. She’d been ruminating in silence far longer than she realized.

Candace looked up at him. He was so handsome. His dark hair was just long enough to curl behind his ear and at his neck. One strong arm held her heavy basket effortlessly. He’d matched his stride to her shorter one—undoubtedly his long legs could walk much faster if he desired.

He was kind, caring, thoughtful.

He was her friend.

The word brought her up short. Suddenly, Candace rethought the entirety of their interaction today. She shouldn’t have pretended not to see him shopping for Vera’s ring, not when she might have offered help. Even if it was personally painful, Candace should help them along. All it would take was a little bit of bravery, especially when the breaking of her own heart was a foregone conclusion. She took a deep breath and mustered a smile.