Only too late did he realize how his words could be construed. “About a business matter,” he quickly added.
Her crestfallen expression made him certain he’d imagined the alarm. He felt terrible at the thought that he’d hurt her.
He continued toward her. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.”
Her gaze dropped to the floor, and her cheeks flushed, a familiar pose for her.
While he felt awkward addressing the issue, it seemed best to do so given what her father had said. “I did enjoy your messages.”
She offered a shy smile as she met his gaze. “I confess that I had help.”
“Oh?” Though he already knew, he thought it best to hear her out.
“Lady Harriet assisted me.” She glanced at him from beneath her lashes, then more fully. “She is a dear friend and has a way with words.”
“Indeed, she does.” Then again, he was starting to think everything about Harriet was perfect.
Miss Melbourne sighed. “I told myself I imagined the two of you were holding hands the night of the ball, but that wasn’t the case, was it?”
“No. I...I find myself quite taken with her.”
She sighed again. “I thought that might be true. She is special and deserves happiness. I hope you’re the one to provide it for her.”
“I’m not certain if she’ll allow me the chance.” Not when she’d already told him goodbye.
Her eyes narrowed as if she were pondering something. “Perhaps you need to consider making a bold move.”
He frowned. “How do you mean?”
“You may have heard of our literary league’sFor Better or Worseagenda. It seems to be all the latest gossip.” At his questioning look, she continued, “Do something to catch her notice and help her see you in a new light.”
Joseph smiled. Perhaps that would be the result of his plan to halt Henderson. That made it even more imperative that he do everything in his power to end any threat the man posed to Harriet.
~*~
HARRIET TOLD HERSELFto act normally, but it took another day before she convinced herself to leave the house.
Between her upset over losing Joseph and Reverend Henderson’s threat, she felt ill-prepared to speak to anyone. But she had to move forward.
Joseph had called the previous afternoon, much to her dismay. She’d advised the butler to tell him she wasn’t receiving. The longing she felt for even a glimpse of him suggested it would take more time before she could pretend to forget him.
He’d left a note saying he needed to speak to her about something important.
She’d thought long and hard on the matter and realized there was nothing he could say that would change her situation. The idea of him possibly telling her that he cared for her would break her heart. She wouldn’t be strong enough to turn him away. Neither could she share what had happened, including her scars, inside and out.
However, it was impossible to avoid him forever. He deserved better than that. With a sigh, she acknowledged that she would have to talk to him soon. But first, she needed to determine what to say.
The carriage rolled to a stop outside Fortnum & Mason, a tea and sweet shop. This errand was a start at acting normally. Perhaps forcing herself to venture out would help her prepare to speak with Joseph.
She’d decided against going to the lending library for fear of seeing one of her friends. They’d note her upset and want to help, but that would require telling them about the past. That wasn’t possible. She needed time to bury her emotions again before she saw them.
Visiting the store would allow her to buy a few gifts for her mother’s upcoming birthday and be a step toward normalcy. That was as much as she could manage at the moment.
“This shouldn’t take long, Cora,” Harriet murmured to the maid who accompanied her inside.
“I’ll wait by the door, my lady.”
Harriet nodded and moved forward, pleased to have something to occupy her thoughts other than her worries. A display of tea caught her eye, and she paused to study the options, wondering which ones her mother would enjoy.