“How many times?”
“Several.” To hell with waiting for them to go—he’d smooth that last edge now.
Undeterred, another young lady posed a question. “Did you really capture a pirate?”
“I did,” he said, focusing his attention on the ledge.
The women seemed to sigh as one, except for Lady Tabitha. She merely curved her mouth up a bit. She was clearly the leader of her little clutch of friends.
“Captain, you appear tired with our silly questions,” she said. “Does going about in society bore you?”
“Largely.” He looked at her with not an ounce of interest. “Although I do have friends I like to see at various events.”
“Do you waltz?” asked one young woman.
“Reluctantly,” he said. He wouldn’t tell them it was because he felt waltzing should be reserved for people in love. It was the one romantic thought he’d ever had, and he preferred to keep it to himself.
Lady Tabitha ran her gaze over his shoulders and chest, quite as if he were a roast on the spit. “It appears you prefer to do manly things. You’ve built something for Miss Jones.”
“A ledge for her window.” He reluctantly stood. “So she can display her books. She hopes it will improve sales.”
Lady Tabitha’s smooth forehead wrinkled. “She couldn’t hire a carpenter?”
Stephen shrugged. “I volunteered. We’re neighbors, after all.”
While he looked into Lady Tabitha’s gorgeous but hard face, he was tempted to come up with an excuse to get out of their engagement that evening. But he’d made his promise. He’d do his best to get the Prince Regent to come to the street fair.
“It appears Miss Jones has few customers,” said one of Lady Tabitha’s friends.
“No wonder,” chimed in another. “A lady running a bookshop? It isn’t done.”
“Especially an unfashionable lady,” said Lady Tabitha smoothly. “Yet her assistant is no better. His shoes are an abomination. And so are his waistcoats.”
Stephen frowned. “They’re both exceptionally able people. If anyone can make a bookshop successful, it will be Miss Jones and her assistant. In fact, I think Miss Jones would be helpful tonight at the ball.”
“Do you?” Lady Tabitha hardly batted an eye.
“Yes,” he said. “She could talk to Prinny about books and the history of the street. He’s quite bright beneath his debauched exterior, and her excitement about the street fair will no doubt pique his interest.”
“But is she of good family?” asked one of Lady Tabitha’s friends.
Stephen couldn’t resist a little lecture. “Ladies, in battle, a man’s character is measured not by the depth of his pockets or his bloodlines but by the reach of his heart.”
“Yes, but does that mean she’s of good family?” asked the same young lady.
Stephen stared at her, not sure what to say that wouldn’t be insulting.
But he was saved from answering when Miss Jones walked back into the shop empty-handed. Her cheeks were pink.
Had she overheard any of their conversation?
He hoped not.
Seconds later, he was relieved to see she was embarrassed about something else.
“I’m so sorry,” she told Lady Tabitha, “but I can’t find the journal. I assure you, I realize its value as a piece of history concerning Dreare Street. Otis must have stashed it away in a safe place. When he comes back, I’ll ask him where it is.”
“Will you come to tea when you do find it?” asked Lady Tabitha.
Stephen was taken aback. The lady’s tone was suddenly friendly.
He believed Miss Jones was surprised, too, as she stammered her acceptance.
“Very good, then.” Lady Tabitha opened a fan and began to waft it slowly across her face. “And Miss Jones, I’d love for you to join us tonight. At the ball.”
“Really?” Miss Jones’s eyes lit up with pleasure.
“Yes. Meet us at my aunt’s at half eight.” Lady Tabitha cast a very brief glance at Stephen.
He forced himself to throw her the ghost of a grateful grin. He wasn’t surprised when her mouth curved up again in that self-satisfied way she had about her, like a cat with cream.
Miss Jones seemed to hesitate. “I’m grateful, but I don’t think I should.”
“Why not?” He was suddenly anxious for her to go. He’d be able to tolerate the evening with Lady Tabitha and Lady Duchamp much better with her there.
She lifted one shoulder in a careless shrug. “I’m rather a homebody. I prefer not to go out.”
“You’ll be among friends,” Stephen reminded her.
“Captain, I appreciate your intentions, but I must stand firm.”
He restrained a sigh. She was the most stubborn woman of his acquaintance. “You’re the one who started this whole idea of the street fair,” he reminded her. “And you were distinctly regretful you weren’t part of the activities that took place last night at my house.”
He knew he had her there. He saw her pause.
“Miss Jones,” Lady Tabitha said in a lively manner, “no more discussion. I expect to see you at my aunt’s.”
Stephen was glad Lady Tabitha had shown a rapid improvement in her attitude toward Miss Jones. But he wasn’t a fool. She must have sensed his support of the bookseller and was trying to impress him.
He didn’t care what her motivation was as long as Miss Jones could go to the ball.
“Very well,” said Miss Jones with a shy smile. “Thank you.”
Lady Tabitha shrugged. “Shall we go, ladies?”
They all fell in line and trailed out after her.
But then Lady Tabitha turned around. “Miss Jones,” she said, “I hope you won’t feel awkward about my mentioning this. But the truth is, I don’t want you to feel out of place tonight. Shall I send over an appropriate gown? It would be no trouble.”
“Why, that’s thoughtful of you,” Miss Jones said slowly, as if she had to think about it. “But I can’t ask you to go to such lengths on my behalf. Really.”
“I promise you, it won’t be an inconvenience.” Lady Tabitha waited without smiling.
“All right, then,” Miss Jones said warmly. “I’d appreciate that very much.”
Lady Tabitha turned to him next. “Dear Captain Arrow,” she said in an overly familiar way, “you won’t mind meeting us at the ball, would you? We won’t have room in the carriage. My friends are staying with me until then, and now we have Miss Jones coming, as well.”
“It would be no inconvenience at all.” He made a restrained but polite bow to the departing ladies. “See all of you tonight.”
When they were gone, Miss Jones turned to him. “It’s completely inappropriate that I go,” she insisted.
He laughed. “Why so?”
“I’m not out in society.”
“So? You’ll be the guest of Lady Tabitha and Lady Duchamp.”
She still looked uneasy.
“And you’ll be with
She looked up at him then, unguarded for once. It was as if that thought appealed to her, the idea of being with him. Something inside him twisted near his heart.
Plain and simple, he wanted to kiss her. But would he ever be able to again?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Mere seconds after Lady Tabitha and her cronies left Hodgepodge, Jilly found herself wanting to kiss Captain Arrow.
It was difficult to
