Page 68 of The Gentlewoman Apprentice

“Samuel,” said Miss Margaret coolly, “what do you know about it?”

“Everything. Miss Grace said that Meg took out her valentines and read through each of them every night and was every day keen for a new one. Grace was the one who put her name in the box and said it was a good thing, else Meg would smither away.”

Miss Margaret laughed at his made0up word.

“How dispiriting that a short missive from an unknown stranger is the best part of my week. I admit to enjoying having a valentine, for his gifts and letters are thoughtful, but my dear Samuel, you are the best part of my week.”

Heat simmered in Peter’s cheeks. So she thought him a thoughtful valentine, did she? That was high praise from a woman so hesitant to share her feelings.

“You still correspond with your valentine and haven’t said a word? Past Easter, and he hasn’t revealed himself?” asked Lady Halverton.

“He committed from the start never to reveal his identity. Perhaps he has a reason for anonymity.” Miss Margaret sipped her drink.

“I do hope it’s nothing nefarious,” the dowager said. “When one believes something must be done in secret, it is a sure indication it should not be done at all. Tell us, what does he send?”

Miss Margaret folded and refolded the napkin in her lap. “Silly poems, letters. He draws pictures and sends little gifts.”

“And you’ve no hint to his identity?” Lady Halverton asked. “No clues in his letters or gifts?”

“Sometimes I think I must know him somehow, but I have not been able to guess.”

Lady Halverton pointed her fork at Miss Margaret. “Have you asked the delivery boy?”

“If he told, he would lose his job,” Miss Margaret said.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Lady Halverton pressed.

Miss Margaret bit her lower lip. “Perhaps.”

“Perhaps? Perhaps?” Lady Halverton turned to Peter. “You must help us discover the identity of Margaret’s secret admirer, you who are with her and see everyone with whom she interacts.”

“Not everyone.” His words went unheeded.

“Have you any guesses, Mr. Sloan?” asked the dowager.

“How should I?” Heat enveloped him like an August afternoon.

“There must be men hovering about Margaret. Who are they?” Lady Halverton had not relinquished her fork and was making stabbing motions in his direction.

Escape was not an option. To Miss Margaret’s playful smile, he said, “From what I have observed, Miss Cooper frequently interacts with Freddy, Giles, Arnold, and Johnathan, my other apprentices. My dear friend Mr. Lucius Ivy visits my shop often and so of course always says hello. Several other men regularly patronize the shop, but the single hovering man is Mr. Quincy.”

Miss Margaret laughed. “Mr. Quincy thinks only of his waistcoats. My valentine, in contrast, is quite observant.”

“Oh.” Lady Halverton made a circle of her mouth. “Very good. Mr. Sloan, you must keep a sharp eye. If he is observant, he must know her well.”

The habitually composed Miss Margaret squirmed and glanced sideways at Peter. “It is mere diversion.”

“If it were a game, you wouldn’t make that face,” Samuel said, triumphant.

“Do you think the roads will dry by tomorrow morning?” Lord Halverton asked. Miss Margaret shot him a grateful look.

The room fell silent, save the muted hiss of rain.

“I shouldn’t think so, no,” said Lady Halverton. “How fortunate, as the weather will give us more time to interrogate our dear Margaret.”

“I dare you to try, Louisa. I have nothing more to say.”

Miss Margaret’s good humor seemed to astonish everyone except Samuel, who said, “You’ll get nothing from her unless you have something she wants.”