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Chloe froze, with her hands clenched together, looking round at Rosaline who was watching her. Rosaline waved a finger in her direction, rather like a governess telling off a naughty child.
“I am not that bad.”
“Truly? Then tell me how many times you have rearranged your stand of laces this morning?” Rosaline asked with a laugh, gesturing toward the stand in question.
“Today is the day, Rosaline. I cannot help being nervous!” Chloe reached behind the counter and picked up the sheet of paper Mr. Alfred Baker had sent to her with some advice. She looked over everything on the list, making sure she had done it all, before she looked back to the shop. Some of his advice had seemed a little strange, and she had taken creative license with it at times.
For one, he had encouraged her to keep the finer materials toward the back of the shop, so as not to draw a greedy crowd in through the window. Chloe had decided she would do things a little differently and had placed some of her finest silks in the window regardless.
“Oh! It is time.” Rosalina clapped her hands together as if playing out a tune as the clock behind Chloe struck the ninth hour.
“It is indeed.” Chloe placed down her paper with shaking hands and crossed the shop, reaching for the door. Slowly, she unlocked it, so that the key clicked noisily in the air, then she swung the door open, propping it at an angle with a basket of heavy linens.
One glance out of the shop door showed that it was a hot day, with the sunlight bouncing off the cobbled street of Covent Garden. Few people were around, and the emptiness only made Chloe more nervous. She turned back into the shop, clenching and fiddling with her hands, until Rosaline took her hands and drew her forward.
“Now I am glad I came. I wouldn’t have missed your opening for the world. But had you been here alone. Oh! I dread to think of just how nervous you would have been. Now, come.” Rosaline urged her to stand behind her counter, her voice buoyant and full of energy. “You wait there and see just how many people walk through that door.”
“What if no one comes?” Chloe whispered into the air. “What a grand opening that will make. I will have made nothing more than an ornamental room, rather than a shop.” She clenched her hands another time until Rosaline eyed her, then her hands fell flat. “I am well aware I am fidgeting and restless like a fly, but I cannot be at peace.”
“I’d wager everything I own you will have customers today. Besides, even if customers are few and far between, I know for certain you will have one person walk through that door.” Rosaline gestured to the open door.
“Who?”
“The Duchess’ brother of course!” Rosaline said with a laugh. “Has there been a day that he has not come to help you with this shop? You have spoken of him so much of late, I was a little surprised to not find him here yet this morning.”
Chloe felt her stomach tense as her eyed flittered to the window, searching for any sign of Leo.
He hasn’t come yet.
It was true, Leo had come most days to help her with the shop. She had grown used to expecting his visits, anxious until he was there.
“He has been very helpful,” she said in a whisper. “All that he has done considering the rental agreement, the fees, not to mention aiding me in where to purchase my materials.” She sighed at the vastness of all the work that had to be completed. “I do not know how I would have done it all without him.”
She glanced over her shoulder at a small package nearby, resting under tissue paper. She had bought him a gift to thank him for his hard work, but now she was nervous about her choice.
If he does not come today . . . that gift will remain unopened.
“I hope he comes,” Chloe confessed.
“I wonder why?” Rosaline’s words intrigued Chloe enough that she looked Rosaline’s way.
“Do not cause mischief, Rosaline. That is usually my role.” Chloe added with something of a humored smile.
“I said nothing.” Rosaline held up her hands in innocence. “I am merely recognizing that you talk a lot of Lord Felton these days.”
“Who could not talk of him? I am hardly a gossiper, or one of these light-headed ladies that peruse a scandal sheet every day, but it is only natural to talk of someone who is so . . .” Chloe petered off, aware that Rosaline was now leaning on the counter, resting her chin in her hand, and gazing at Chloe with interest. “Away, and enough mischief, before I swat you as I would a bee.” Chloe waved a hand in her direction.
Rosaline laughed and turned, before freezing as she looked to the door.
“I think your worries about a lack of customers are about to be a thing of the past.”
Chloe darted her gaze back to the door, alarmed to see a group of four ladies hurrying in.
“See? Did I not tell you it would be wonderful!” one of the ladies declared, leading the pack. “Ah, Miss Green, so good to see you again.” She hurried forward and kissed Chloe on the cheek.
“And you.” Chloe recognized her from Maeve’s ball, but she was unable to remember a name. Fortunately, she felt no pressure to respond further, for the lady in question soon grew interested in the shop and left her alone, busying herself with her friends and the silks. Like a magpie to something shiny, the lady kept gasping and running her fingers over the fine silks she had found.
“Ahem.” Rosaline cleared her through and nodded her head in the direction of the door.
