AllFreeNovel
Share Us
For now, it will help me to get on top of the workload.
Chloe sighed with contentment as she looked around the busy shop. It seemed Mr. Baker’s plans had not worked in the end. When Chloe had returned to London after staying with her father, Rosaline had told her all that she had discovered about her father’s interference. Chloe had never known such anger before, but she had found, surprisingly, that it faded fast. The more she thought about Mr. Baker’s action, the more she realized he had acted out of fear, as well as selfishness.
In time, I can forgive him for it.
When he had turned up himself to make an apology, she knew she could not blame him forever.
Chloe even had a plan of how to make Mr. Baker into an ally, rather than an enemy, so such things wouldn’t happen again. Once the number of customers in the shop dwindled a bit, she pulled forward the sketchbook she had been given from Leo and turned the pages. Over the last few days, she had added many new drawings to those pages. So many that Chloe was struggling to discern one drawing from the next. At the back, on a clean page, Chloe had made some notes.
‘To make Mr. Baker an ally.’
She had written down some ideas on how to approach Mr. Baker to embark on a new venture together. If they brought out a line of designs that incorporated both of their ideas, which was stocked at both shops, then it would guarantee footfall to both places. When Chloe had suggested the idea to Rosaline the day before, Rosaline had been overwhelmed, saying repeatedly how she would not have blamed Chloe for despising her father forever, but Chloe did not have such anger in her soul. She’d rather remedy the situation than hold a grudge.
She added a couple more notes to the page, before she grew aware of footsteps behind her. Slowly, Leo appeared from the backroom. He had been working on the books and was drawing up a list of new suppliers, now that some of the merchants Chloe used to work with were no longer interested in doing business.
“I was going to come and ask you how things are going, but I see I do not even have to ask.” Leo stopped at her side, his eyes dancing around the shop. Chloe smiled up at him, feeling the thrill that passed through her body whenever he came near her now.
Since he had appeared in Sussex, they had not been apart for a day. He had even stayed two days with her and her father before returning alongside her to London. Chloe longed to ask him something. They spent so much time together, that she wished to know if they were courting. Yet since their kiss, nothing had been mentioned of courting yet. She had seen him speaking alone with her father when they were in the country, and part of her wondered if he had asked her father for a blessing for a courtship.
“Leo?”
“Yes?” He turned his head to her, with a smile on his cheeks. “Hmm.”
“Hmm what?” Chloe asked, her hands on her hips, curious at the odd sound he had made.
“You have that mischievous look on your face.”
“What mischievous look?” She tried to say defensively.
“As if you were about to ask me something you knew you should not.” He laughed warmly. “Go ahead, ask me, or . . . maybe wait until you do not have so many customers.” As a customer approached the counter, Leo stepped back.
Chloe sighed, wishing he would stay longer so she could ask him her question, but then he passed a hand over her back. It was a subtle thing, merely the brush of his fingers, the promise that this conversation was not over. Chloe tried to tamp down the shiver of excitement his touch sent up her spine, but to little effect. As Leo moved off, she glanced at him standing in the doorway of the backroom, with a smile that said he clearly knew what effect he’d had on her.
How much I love him.
The thought cut through strongly. Now, it felt as if she and Leo had no secrets. Every time they were together, it was open, and easy.
I hope it continues like this!
“Excuse me, I’d like to make an order,” one of the customers asked, claiming Chloe’s attention again. “For two gowns.”
“Two?” Chloe had a feeling she was going to be just as busy as when the shop first opened.
Chapter 28
Leo
“No more work tonight,” Leo pleaded as Chloe closed up the shop.
“No work?” She sounded baffled, turning to face him as she locked the door. “But Leo, there is so much to do. I have all these new designs to work on.” She crossed to the counter and laid a hand on a stack of order sheets, until Leo placed his hand over hers. He noticed with glee the way she gasped at that touch, then blushed.
Have I always had this effect on her? Have I been blinded to it up until now?
“The order sheets will be here tomorrow too.” He moved his hand slightly, adjusting his grasp so he could slide the sheets from under her hand and away across the counter. “Instead, you can spend the evening with me.”
“I spend the evenings with you anyway,” Chloe pointed out with a smile. “You are here every night working on the books whilst I do my work. I’m beginning to wonder if the books need so much attention!”
“Ah, you’ve caught me out. I like spending time with you, and I like having an excuse to do it,” Leo said, stepping toward her. Now things were so open between them, it felt natural to steal a chaste kiss every now and then when they were alone. Now was one of those times, and he could kiss her, but he also knew there would be visitors at the shop door any minute, and he didn’t want to be caught.
