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“You would think I had burned you, Chloe,” he whispered, so quiet that only she could hear him.
“It’s not that, I was just . . . surprised.” Yet her words didn’t seem to do anything. He kept his gaze down on the horse.
Have I upset him?
“Look, are they not beautiful?” Maeve said to her husband as she presented the notebook. The Duke flicked through the pages, agreeing with a hearty nod.
“That they are. As Leo says, it is far more dresses than one woman can have in her wardrobe.”
“On that subject, I have some news.” Chloe sat forward on the settee, deciding it was time to talk of her plans. As much as she loved working for the Duke and Maeve, she could not stay here forever, nor did she wish to. Wherever she went next, she could still produce designs for Maeve.
It’s time for the next challenge!
“What news?” Lord Felton asked at her side. His hand had gone still around the wooden horse, not moving a single muscle as he waited for her answer.
Chloe was aware of his lips that were pressed together, not revealing a flicker of that usual smile.
“I know it will be a challenge, but I’ve decided that I would like to open a shop.” She turned her focus on Maeve, wanting to see her friend’s reaction. “I’d like to try to be a modiste in London.”
Chapter 4
Leo
“A shop?” Leo sat forward with his words, certain that his voice was louder than he had intended.
“Yes. What do you think?” As Chloe spoke, she nervously clasped and unclasped her hands, moving them together and apart once again. She glanced between Leo and the others in the room. For a second, Leo could have sworn she held her breath, waiting for their answer.
“It is a wonderful idea,” Leo said, just as Maeve spoke.
“It’s thrilling!” Maeve moved to her feet, still clutching the gown Chloe had made for her.
“Ha! Maeve, you can barely sit still,” Chloe pointed out, gesturing to how Maeve danced on the spot.
“How can I after hearing this exciting news?” Maeve appealed to her husband who showed his agreement by nodding. He parted his lips to say something, but didn’t manage to say it, for Maeve was too lost in her excitement and continued on. “Where? Where will your shop be? Are you hoping to make gowns for the ton?”
“Oh, slow down, Maeve. For starters, you are thinking ahead of me.” Chloe turned to Leo as she spoke, offering another whisper. When she leaned toward him in this way, he couldn’t help leaning back towards her. “The poor Duke cannot utter a word.” Leo laughed, watching as the Duke attempted to speak again, but Maeve turned to him, speaking over him without realizing it.
“Oh, Benjamin, we must help her.”
“Help me?” Chloe seemed shocked at the idea. She reached for her own teacup off the table and brought it quickly to her lips. Leo watched her intently as she did so, his eyes staying a moment too long on her lips.
He had to snatch his gaze away. It would hardly be the first time he had wondered what it would be like to kiss Chloe, but now was not the time for those thoughts!
“You have plans for your shop?” Leo asked. He turned in his seat, fixing his attention completely on her. When he accidentally bumped his knee against hers, she shifted away. Leo saw it all and felt a deadening lump form in his stomach.
She moves away from me the way a cat would flee a dog.
The thought made him shift uncomfortably, pulling at his collar.
“I have drawn up some ideas,” Chloe said, speaking so quickly that one word ran against another. “Designs for the gowns, designs for how the shop should be laid out.”
“What of the particulars? A shop and a rental contract, for instance,” Leo encouraged her, determined to know more. She offered a rather sad smile at this point.
“I will admit, I have not got that far at this point. Such things are hardly skills of mine.” She looked down at her teacup, as if embarrassed by such a thought.
Yet . . . they are in my skill set!
Leo felt an idea begin to grow.
