Page 89 of Lady Waldrey’s Gardening Almanac for Cultivating Scandal

“You shall have to bring him and Seamus over later this week, if you have the time. I told Arthur he could help me explore the old garden folly by the lake when I go look at it.”

James nodded. “The day after next?”

“Yes.” Candace looked about to Vera and Jacqueline, who were studying her intently. “You both are invited on that adventure, as well.”

“No thank you,” Vera said firmly. “Anything abandoned is bound to have spiders and snakes and whatnot. I’d rather stay inside with a book.”

“And you may let me know if you find an injured animal,” the baroness added, “but that would be my only interest in the place.”

“We certainly will, though I fear it won’t be nearly as exciting as that. It’s open to the elements on all sides, so I doubt there will be any spiders, either.”

“I’m not willing to take the chance,” Vera said.

CHAPTER 26- CANDACE

From Flowers and Botany, Volume III-

Though the petals of the crocus appear quite fragile, it is one of the hardiest flowers, which often blooms while snow still covers the earth. The bright flash of purple or yellow against the cold is a reminder that spring is coming and warmer days are fast approaching.

Two days after the dinner party, Candace fidgeted in the parlor that faced the front drive. She examined the books upon the shelves, then the paintings hanging on the walls. She didn’t want to admit that she was waiting, but she was.

When the jingling of livery and crunching of gravel in the drive announced a visitor, she walked to a point at the back of the room where she might look out of the window without being seen from outside. The glossy blue-black of James's carriage flashed past, and Candace pressed a hand to her heart to calm the hitch in her breathing.

Ever since the dinner, she’d been able to think of little else except James's deep voice reciting lines from her ridiculous romance novels. She lay awake at night and remembered the resonant timbre of the outlandish words, somehow made completely new by his recitation.

It was hardly a surprise when Benson announced James and Arthur, but it was a shock to her system all the same. Candace hoped her serene smile covered the jolt of her heart.

She pressed her fingers to her side to keep them from trembling. “Good morning, James, Arthur.”

Candace couldn’t help but notice that James looked particularly attractive that morning. He wore tailored charcoal-colored trousers tucked into polished boots. As they were to go walking, he’d kept his dark coat on over his crisp white shirt. He held his hat in his hand.

He smiled at her, and a fluttering exploded in her stomach; she wondered if she could pass off the disconcerting feeling as illness and postpone. As soon as she had the thought, she batted it away. This outing was of her making. Besides, she’d rather ignore her silly emotions than miss out on a morning with two of her favorite people.

Seamus grunted and flopped down between James and Candace as if fully aware she hadn’t included him in her greeting and was sorely put out at the fact.

“Good morning to you too, Seamus.” She bent down and ruffled a hand through the soft fur on his head. He halfheartedly lifted a paw, encouraging her to redirect her ministrations to his stomach.

James shook his head. “No, you big oaf. We have other things to do this morning than to pet you.”

“He’s not an oaf, Father,” Arthur said. “He’s a good boy.”

“That matter is up for debate, as always. Especially after what he did in the entryway this morning.” James winced, as if just remembering Candace was there.

“It’s not his fault,” Arthur protested. “He was trying to get out.”

“I don’t blame the dog; I blame whoever’s been sneaking him leftovers.”

“I didn’t feed him cheese, I promise.”

Candace pressed her lips together to hide her smile; this was obviously the continuation of a conversation they’d been having on the way over.

“Pea soup isn’t any better, Arthur. It’s ravaged the dog’s insides.”

“I thought vegetables were supposed to be good for us.”

James sighed and looked heavenwards as if for help. “Dogs and people are different. How many times do we need to have this discussion before you remember?”

Arthur stood up straight, his eyes bright with realization. “Maybe I’m more like a dog, then, because pea soup doesn’t agree with my insides, either.”