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“It is simply that I have known him since we were children.” Chloe shrugged and looked away, hoping to hide another blush.
Do they believe me?
Chloe wasn’t sure how to describe what she truly felt for the man. All she really knew was that she cared for Lord Felton more than she had ever cared for another gentleman. No man was as witty, entertaining, or as trusting as he.
I should not think of him so! He is the son of an earl and a successful lawyer. I am just a seamstress these days.
“Oh, that reminds me.” Chloe prayed her blush had faded as she turned back to face her friends. “Before I go to show the gown to the Duchess, I have some news.”
“What news?” Rosaline said excitedly as she stepped forward.
“I hope it entails us having the rest of the day off.” Elizabeth staggered back to the others’ positions, clutching a hand to her stomach. “Rosaline, you have made me sick with all that spinning.”
“Tush, it is simply familiarizing you with the feeling for when a gentleman spins you around the dance floor at the ball.” Rosaline smiled with glee before turning her focus back to Chloe. “Well? What is your news?”
Chloe clutched tightly to the dress as she looked between her friends. She had thought long about this decision and had decided now was the right time. There had been a time when her father, Baron Maywood, would have been aghast to see his daughter working, but that was a long time ago. They had economized, and he had sent her beautiful letters these last two years saying how proud he was to hear of her work as a seamstress.
Hopefully, he will be proud of this desire too!
“I have decided that though I love working here, and I do wish to continue to make dresses for Maeve, there is something else I wish for my future too.” Chloe could barely contain her smile as her three friends stepped forward.
“She’s leaving us! I knew it.” Marianne cursed under her breath.
“Hold your horses,” Elizabeth said. “Perhaps she is just leaving us for a short while.”
“I bet it’s something worse than that,” Rosaline added in a dramatic tone.
“Perhaps I could tell you all what it is, instead of leaving you to guess,” Chloe said with a mischievous smirk, making her three friends fall still and wait for her next words. “I have decided that I wish to open a shop. A modiste’s shop in London. It will be hard work, but maybe someday I could call myself a modiste to the ton!” Chloe barely had chance to finish her words, before she was lost beneath the excited flailing arms of her friends and the eager cries of good luck.
Chapter 2
Leo
Leo jumped down from the carriage. In his enthusiasm, he didn’t look where he was putting his feet. He was too excited to see the front door of Benjamin’s Buckinghamshire estate open, and the face of little Nathan poking through, so Leo didn’t take the time to put one foot in front of the other. He jumped, then tangled his feet together, slipping on the stones so much that he went flying.
“Uncle Leo!” Nathan cried, running forward.
Leo ended up in a bundle on the ground, face first in the gravel. He laid still for a minute before he laughed at his own foolishness and pushed himself up.
“Leo.” Maeve’s voice was next. Leo looked up enough to see that Nathan was running down the front porch steps toward him, closely followed by Maeve who was laughing softly. “I would have thought you could make it into the house first.”
“Clearly, you do not know me as well as you think you do, sister,” Leo said with a laugh as he jumped to his feet. He wiped off the gravel and specks of dust with ease, so used to falling that the mess was no bother to him. “Nathan!”
The boy bundled himself against Leo’s leg. Leo reached down and picked his nephew up in his arms, noting how big the boy had become since he had last seen him.
“Uncle Leo,” Nathan said again.
“Your words are getting better.” Despite Leo’s praise, Nathan said no more, but threaded his arms around Leo’s neck, burying his face there. Leo chuckled as he turned to face his sister.
“It’s about all he does say. It’s a good thing I don’t get jealous, or I’d wonder why my son is fonder of you than me,” Maeve said in jest and reached for Leo. She stood on her toes and kissed Leo on the cheek in greeting. “You are late.”
“Forgive me.” Leo stepped forward, still carrying Nathan. He looked over the boy in admiration, who was a thorough mix of his parents. He had the fair hair of his father, but his eyes were Maeve’s through and through, with deep brown irises. “I had to stop to pick up the latest paperwork on your book sales, sister.”
Maeve stopped at his side, clearly unable to restrain her look of excitement.
“Oh, is it good news?”
“Do you need to ask?” Leo said, watching as Maeve’s smile grew wider, making those dark eyes sparkle. “It seems the world cannot do without your stories, Maeve. As a published writer, you are making quite the name for yourself. Well, amusingly, a false name for yourself, as you do not use your own name. Come, I’ll let you and Benjamin know the good news inside.” As Leo moved toward the steps, he stubbed his toe. He stumbled, but held tightly onto Nathan still, holding him safely in his arms.
