Peter cursed. If only he’d known her views. By being an utter gentleman he’d convinced Imogen he hadn’t wanted her. That couldn’t be further from the truth and it was time to show her just how badly she’d misjudged his intentions.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Sir Peter Watson to see you, miss.” The butler’s sudden announcement caught Imogen by surprise. She was not ready at all to greet Peter today or any day.
She rubbed her eyes, wishing she’d remained above stairs this morning. “Could you tell him I am otherwise engaged?”
“I’d like to, miss, but he’s standing right beside me.”
Imogen gulped nervously. It was the height of bad manners to pretend to be busy when a caller came. To be caught at it was far worse.
One set of footsteps came toward her. “Hello Imogen.”
Although she strained her senses, she couldn’t detect another presence with him. “Sir Peter.” She stood quickly, forgetting her lap was full of embroidery yarns she was attempting to straighten as a gift for Teresa Long. “Oh.”
Imogen dropped to her knees, running her hands over the thick, carpeted rug in search of them. She gathered them up, and t
hen struggled to reposition herself on her settee. By the time she lifted her face it was hot with embarrassment.
Peter sat at her side. “You missed a couple.”
He placed them gently on the palm of her hand and covered them with his.
“Thank you.”
Thick tension swirled between them. She wished she could see. If he pitied her then she could forget how badly his nearness affected her. She could pretend the warmth of his hands hadn’t tormented her sleep the night before. When he released her, she could breathe again.
“These are for you.” Damp flower stems were pressed into her hands and the bunch guided to her nose so she could inhale them. “I remember you preferred lavender to lilacs and a modest bunch to excess. The flower seller thought my requirements quite amusing.”
“The lady on Ship Street corner?”
“The very one.”
Imogen buried her nose in the flowers as the simple thrill of receiving a gift made her smile. No one had brought her flowers in quite some time. “Thank you. She always has the freshest flowers.”
“I remember. You told me that last summer.”
The sound of paper crinkling caught her attention and she lifted her face.
Peter took the flowers from her hands gently. “Mr. Perkins, can you place these in water for your mistress? I promise to behave while you are gone.”
Imogen pictured Peter smiling at Mr. Perkins and grinned. Like everyone else she’d met, Perkins was not immune to Sir Peter’s charm. When they were engaged to be married they had often been alone in this room. They would trust Sir Peter more now that he was married. He would never disrespect his wife.
She held out the flowers for her butler to take. “Could you place them in the dining room?”
“Yes, miss.” Perkins hurried away.
Peter caught up her hand in his and squeezed. “Do you want to hear whatever news is in the paper today? There must be something to amuse.”
Imogen jerked her hand back and scrambled to straighten the threads lying in her lap to hide her confusion. Peter should be with his wife, shouldn’t he? She inhaled but detected no trace of lilacs about him this morning, just sandalwood and the faintest hint of the sea. The lure of the news proved too much temptation. “If you have the time.”
He opened her hand and placed a small weighty parcel on her palm. “These are for you as well. I’m sure you’ll recognize them without requiring an explanation.”
Imogen passed the small parcel between her hands, noticing a distinct familiarity in the texture and dimensions. She immediately lifted it to her nose and inhaled the scent of caramels. “Are you attempting to sweeten my mood?”
“Is that even a possibility?”
The teasing response took her by surprise. Imogen didn’t answer. Peter should be happy to have escaped marriage to a blind woman, but he acted as if the situation and her condition were of no importance. She should have questioned Walter about Peter’s life before he had gone out. Peter did not act like a married man yet she couldn’t ask him his situation. She wanted to know what was different about the man at her side.