Page 71 of A Bloom for a Blacksmith

He had said he loved her.

Even now, just thinking of his simple declaration had flutterbies dancing about in her stomach. Her heart beat a bit faster, and she felt all warm and buzzy.

Was this love? Or merely a crush?

Considering she had been the one to climb into his bed the night before, she knew she felt something for him. When he put voice to his concern for her reputation, she remembered feeling rather touched. He seemed to truly care for her.

“I plan to offer the Agremons what I currently pay now for my rent,” he had explained to her earlier that morning, his words accompanied by a puff of white due to the damp chill in the air. “I do not want them thinking I am taking advantage of you.” He had glanced over at her, worry aging his features as he drove his phaeton to the market. “Do you think I am taking advantage of you?”

She remembered that moment of doubt she had experienced at hearing his query. Did she think he was taking advantage? That he had seen an opportunity to improve his living situation with a simple promise of marriage and had jumped at it?

Given he intended to offer the Agremons the same amount of rent as what he was already paying, it wasn’t going to cost him anything more to make the move, and from his description of his current house, she had the impression that living above the bookshop would be a much improved situation for him.

The apartment was certainly quieter, and once the paint odor dissipated, surely it wouldn’t smell as bad as his description of the odors of his current home.

At four o’clock in the morning, as he escorted her into the Covent Garden Market, she had assured him she was in agreement.

“If anyone should discover our arrangement, I would be most worried for you,” Angus had said. “I will not see you ruined because of me.”

He had also claimed he looked forward to improving his living situation. “If we were not doing this, I would be in search of different lodgings. I cannot abide another week living beneath a… a slob and his illegal tenants.”

He still had to speak with the Agremons, though.

Iris had replayed their conversation in her head while she created elaborate bouquets, deciding they were making the right decision. After all, how many couples had the opportunity to live together prior to marriage? To determine if they could? To either grow closer and truly fall in love, or decide they were not meant for one another and part ways?

Then when Angus had appeared at the market to take her to the bookshop, he brought unexpected news. Over breakfast that morning, he had discussed the topic with the Agremons, claiming he wished for their blessing since the offer of the floors above the Antiquarian Quill had been made to Iris in exchange for her work at the bookshop.

When Iris asked what their response had been, she remembered how he’d dipped his head and sighed. “They wish to discuss it with you first.”

Stunned at hearing that particular comment, Iris had spent the rest of the ride wondering why. Either the Agremons were truly concerned for her reputation, or they were considering taking him up on his offer. If she didn’t agree with the plan to have Angus move into her apartment, would they evict her in favor of taking him in as a paying tenant?

Now that she had seen what the painters were doing and learned draperies had been ordered, she wondered how much Stella was spending. Of course they would favor accepting Angus’s plan.

Wouldn’t they?

“I must apologize,” Stella said, pulling Iris from her reverie.

“Ma’am?” So it was true. They were going to accept Angus’s offer. She was sure she was about to be evicted.

“I haven’t yet asked after your health today. Are you in any pain?”

The unexpected query had her giving a start. “Oh, my arm is a bit sore, but it was not a problem at work,” she replied. “Thank you for what did you for it. I think the arnica really helped, as did that glorious bed. I don’t think I’ve ever slept so well.”

“Well, it was the least I could do,” Stella said, setting aside the receipt book. Apparently there had been some sales that day. “So… what do you think of the third floor?”

“Oh, it’s gorgeous,” Iris replied, attempting to tamp down her excitement lest her employer’s next words bring disappointment.

“Did they tell you what they’re going to do tomorrow?” she asked, displaying a brilliant grin.

Iris nodded. “I’ll see to it my crates are pushed into the center of the floor before I leave for work in the morning.”

“I do hope you’re not too vexed at having those men in your apartment.”

Iris shook her head. “Not at all. It’s not as if I own…” She allowed the sentence to trail off.

Stella quickly sobered, her brows furrowing with her concern. “What is it?”

Dipping her head, Iris took a breath and let it out. “Angus… I mean, Mr. Thompson said he spoke with you and Mr. Agremon about a possible living situation. For him.”