Hattie Glover’s Millinery

running. I imagine you would be good at darting back and forth and returning the ball with a hard slam.” Again he matched movement to words, pretending to hit with a racquet. “My friend Carmody has a court, or actually his parents do at their country house. Perhaps we might engage in a match there some day. I should enjoy battling you, Mrs. Glover”
His double meaning was not lost on Hattie, but she ignored it. “You often speak of your friend Mr. Carmody. Has he been a friend since your schooldays?”
“Actually, I came to know Carmody only a few years ago when a mutual friend introduced us. One would expect we would have nothing in common. He is very calm and bookish, while I am more active and restless. But somehow we suit each other. He grounds me when I careen too wildly, and I un-stick him from his solitary ways, forcing him to come out with me for an airing now and then.”
“He sounds like a good friend to have. I would like to have a friend like that.”
“What about your assistant, Rose? You seem fond of her.”
“I am, but she is in my employ so we cannot grow too familiar.” Besides, there are secrets I can never share with anyone.
The waiter returned bearing two plates of enormous sandwiches. Hardy picked up his bread and meat with both hands and bit in with gusto. Hattie carefully cut a bite-sized portion with knife and fork. The sandwich could have served her for an entire week. Not that she was a birdlike eater, but the thing was huge.
After several bites, Hardy paused speak. “I understand Miss Pruett’s situation was shared with you in confidence so you are loath to share details, but I would be happy to assist you by engaging my investigator Mr. Tyron Rumsfield.”
Hattie considered this. He’d already witnessed the girl’s distress, and Hattie trusted he would not gossip about what he’d seen. It would be quite helpful to have him contact a detective on her behalf.
She outlined the situation concisely. “The girl is being forced into a marriage she does not want, and has become enamored with a man her parents know nothing about. I will attempt to help her with the first issue, but I’d like to learn the character of this secret suitor she threatens to elope with.”
“Is he a bounder seeking to land a rich heiress or a fellow truly in love.”
“Precisely.” A weight lifted from her at his immediate comprehension. Simply sharing the burden of responsibility was freeing.
Hardy contemplated as he ate. “I will put Rumsfield on the case. The man is brilliant and can ferret out details based on the flimsiest of information. What is the lover’s name?”
“Randall James. Miss Pruett quite literally bumped into him near a bookseller. I imagine it might have been J.T. Huggett’s shop, also on Providence Street. The meeting may have been an accident, or the fellow did some research of his own into wealthy, eligible young ladies. He may have targeted Miss Pruett to find an opportunity to catch her alone.” She clicked her tongue. “It sounds mad when I say it aloud.”
Hardy pushed his already empty plate aside. “Not at all. Such things aren’t unheard of. Some desperate fortune hunters go to great lengths to perpetrate their deception. On the other hand, the fellow might truly love her but is an unacceptable marital candidate. Then one must decide whether to aid the young lovers or counsel the girl to end the relationship.”
“Romance cannot bridge the gap between two people worlds apart, and Miss Pruett would likely come to grief. I would have advised her so, but feared she would only become more obstinate in her infatuation. If I have some cold truths to present, it might help her come to the conclusion on her own”
Mr. Hardy studied her. “You do not believe in a love that transcends all obstacles, Mrs. Glover?”
“I do not.” She returned his steady gaze. “A person, especially a woman, should enter a relationship with clear-eyed rationality. The world does not suffer fools who operate on blind faith or naïve trust.”
“Well, I pray you will feel secure in placing your trust in me to perform this task. I will not let you down.”
Warmth filled her at his earnest tone. Perhaps Mr. Hardy’s character was not completely meritless after all.
After they had finished their meal, Hardy escorted her to the nearest cab stand and paid the driver to deliver her back to the shop. As they faced each other on the pavement, he gazed into her face, his eyes glowing with intensity. Her insides melted like candle wax at his hungry look, and for a moment she feared and hoped he would kiss her.
But Hardy merely took her hand and pressed it firmly. “Thank you for coming out with me today. I will be in touch soon concerning the matter we discussed.”
“Yes,” she exhaled in a flustered daze. “Yes. Thank you.”
He handed her into the cab. Hattie sat back as the driver put the vehicle into gear. Then she touched her fingertips to her lips, still feeling the phantom pressure of his hand holding hers.

Chapter Six
Guy began to doubt Hattie Glover had ever been a Mrs. She’d neglected mentioning her husband when speaking of her move to London, and seemed only to recall her “marriage” when Guy referenced it. He surmised that some man had betrayed her and cut her deeply. She had left her place of birth, which he noticed she had avoided naming, and reinvented herself in London.
His curiosity roared up, voraciously hungry for the full meal after the meager scraps she’d dropped. It might require some detecting to uncover Mrs. Glover’s true background, but for now, he was simply happy she had eased her guard enough to accept his help. He enjoyed playing the part of a knight errant proving his worthiness through some grand quest and winning his lady’s affections. Not to mention, he was