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“She is,” Miss Baker called from the other side of the shop. “Too hard!”
“That is not true. I am simply applying myself.” Chloe shrugged as if it was no big deal, but Leo looked closer at her. He could see there were heavy shadows under her eyes. He stepped closer to her, saddened by the sight.
“I hope you are remembering to sleep?” His proximity had fixed that smile in place on her lips.
“Some of the time.”
“Some?”
“Well, a little. Who has time for sleep?”
“You must make time,” Leo was insistent. “Chloe, you need to look after yourself.”
“Oh, tush. I will look after myself when the work is done.” Chloe stepped away from him, ready to return to her work at the counter, but Leo was determined now. He followed her, stopping on the other side of the counter.
“And what if you drive yourself to exhaustion with all of this hard work?” he asked.
“Then at least I will have some beautiful gowns to show for it.” She lifted her pencil, ready to continue with her designs, yet Leo took the pencil out of her hand. “I was using that.”
“Not anymore.” He pocketed the pencil. At least, he made the appearance of doing so. Knowing Chloe, she would simply go after it, so though he appeared to place it in his pocket, he actually slipped the pencil up his sleeve.
“I am not afraid to take that back, you know.” Chloe folded her arms.
“So, take it back.” He shrugged and held his hands out wide, giving her the opportunity. There was a playful smile to her lips as she rounded the counter, reaching for him.
Behind her, Miss Baker and the young seamstress stood back, whispering amongst themselves.
Chloe reached for the pocket of his tailcoat and delved in a hand, but finding it empty, her movements became harried. She turned the pocket inside out, pulling on his tailcoat.
“Continue like this and you will pull me over,” Leo said playfully.
“Leo! You have hidden it.”
“I will make you a deal.” Leo held up a hand. “Take a walk with me for a while. A short one, to clear your head and take a break from work. Then, I will return your pencil to you.”
Chloe folded her arms and chewed her lip, in clear thought, eyeing him carefully. Leo continued to smile under that stare.
“Very well.” She angled her head at the seamstress. “Can you care for the shop for a short while, Gretchen?”
“Of course, Miss Green. You take your time.” Gretchen smiled, rather eagerly.
Leo was careful to slide the pencil into a different pocket as he walked to the door, hiding it from view. A few seconds later, Chloe had collected a bonnet with pale pink ribbons and a matching shawl, which she wrapped around her elbows before hurrying out of the door with him.
The moment they were outside, Leo sighed with contentment. He and Chloe were alone at last. He offered his arm to her and led her toward the nearest park. As her hand slipped across his arm, that quickening of his heartbeat was back. It felt like an intimate touch, even though really it was as normal as any other kind of formality.
“Do you mind if I speak freely?” Leo asked as they stepped into the park.
“You are asking permission now?” Chloe teased him. “I was not aware we did such things. You can always speak freely with me.”
“Then I will.” He turned his eyes toward hers. “You have done well, very well indeed with the shop.”
“You are kind.”
“I speak the truth.” He nodded with the words, hoping she understood how truthful he was being. “Yet I hate to see you work too hard. A balance must be found.”
“I know.” She sighed with her words. “It will be found; it is just a little hard at present. I so long to do well.” She tilted her head downward, clearly deep in thought. Her free hand fidgeted with the end of her shawl, crinkling it between her fingers.
“You are doing well.” Leo couldn’t resist saying. Looking around and seeing that the park was quite quiet, it imbued him with confidence. With a gloved hand, he lifted his fingers toward her face and gently tapped her chin. She lifted her head suddenly, their pace faltering for a second. “The shadows under your eyes are deep. Make time for rest. This is supposed to be fun, as well as your job.”
