Page 81 of The Viscount Who Vexed Me

Queenie snorted. “Really, Flora, why do you bother? She never knows anything.”

It felt like Queenie was judging their friendship based on what gossip Hattie was able to provide. It left her feeling indignant, and she said, “I heard him speak to his mother, however.”

Flora gasped and jerked around, causing the attendant to stumble. “And?” she asked, wide-eyed.

“And...he esteems you.”

“What?” Queenie looked at Flora. “He esteems her? And no one else? Are you certain he didn’t mention anyone else?”

“Queenie!” Flora complained.

Hattie looked Queenie directly in the eye and said, “No, Queenie, no one else. I heard him speak only of Flora.”

Queenie sank back into the settee with a look of disappointment. Another attendant appeared. “Miss Rodham, we are ready to help you into one of your gowns.”

“Fine,” Queenie said, and hauled herself up and disappeared behind another screen.

Hattie stood and moved to Flora’s side.“Flora,”she whispered. “The viscount truly esteems you.”

Flora frowned at her. “You said you didn’t know.”

“I don’t.” Hattie winced, annoyed that she was already tangled up in her lie. “But...but I know the sort of person he likes.”

“How? Does he discuss it with you?”

“Not...not like that.” Why had she opened her mouth? “Really, it’s more of a feeling I have. Based on a few things I’ve heard him say about acquaintances here and there.”

Flora looked dubious. She returned her gaze to her reflection in the mirror.

Hattie inwardly groaned. “He... I think he really does admire you, but I can’t say more than that. I mean, I don’tknowmore than that. But...I know him a bit better than Queenie. After all, I see him several times a week.”

“You do, don’t you?” Flora said. She gave Hattie a look, then turned to the attendant. “This one seems fine. Shall we go to the next?”

As the attendant went behind the screen to prepare the next gown, Flora smiled at Hattie. But her smile didn’t feel genuine. “Thank you, Hattie. You’re so good to me.” She followed the attendant behind the screen.

An hour later, when Flora and Queenie had tried on their gowns and had them fitted—five for Flora, seven for Queenie—the three of them left the shop. They stood on the corner of Bond Street for a few moments—Queenie had a carriage to ferry her off and was taking her time in saying her goodbyes. “Hattie, dearest,” she said just before she climbed into the carriage. “You really should be more helpful to Flora. I think you could if you only put your mind to it.”

Hattie smiled thinly. “I will do my best.” She was really beginning to despise Queenie.

She and Flora turned in the opposite direction. Flora wasn’t very talkative as they walked—she seemed lost in thought. And because Hattie was desperately wondering if she’d offended her somehow, she missed Daniel completely. The two of them almost plowed into him. Where had he come from? He just seemed to appear.

“Well, well,” he said, his gaze on Flora. “What a fortunate day for me.” He tipped his hat.

“Mr. Woodchurch,” Flora said stiffly. “Fancy meeting you on Bond Street.”

“What’s the matter, love? Think I don’t belong here?”

Hattie gasped at the cavalier way he spoke to Flora.

“I didn’t say that, did I?” Flora shot back, and Daniel chuckled darkly.

“What are you doing here, Daniel?” Hattie demanded.

“That’s none of your affair, sister. But I’m not spending my father’s money,” he said, his gaze sliding back to Flora.

Flora lifted her chin. “That’s perhaps becausemyfather is very generous with his money.”

“Oh my—” Hattie started, but Daniel had leaned in close to Flora. “I don’t care.”