Hattie Glover’s Millinery

I fear I have offended you. If I have been too forward in my manner, I apologize.”
“Not at all, Mr. Hardy. In fact, you left no impression on me whatsoever.” She looked past his left shoulder at the store window and wished she could throw him through it.
“Ouch! You could freeze fire. I simply wish to know you better. There’s nothing untoward in that.”
At last she forced herself to face him. “Why in the world would you want to know me when I’ve been admittedly rather rude to you?”
He smiled and jabbed a finger in the air. “Ah-ha! So you admit this is not normally the way you treat a customer.”
“Most of my clients are here to buy hats, not attempt to ‘know me better.’ I don’t understand the point of your interest.”
Except she did. He hoped to bed her since everyone knew widows were fair game for a gentleman on the prowl. The Merry Widow operetta suggested most were amorous and scheming, painting every self-sufficient, happily solitary woman with the same brush.
“Perhaps it would help for you to know I have severed connections with the lady friend for whom I purchased the hat. We parted as friends, and there is no encumbrance to keep me from engaging in friendly conversation with you.”
“No encumbrance beyond my desire not to,” she volleyed.
Hardy gave an impatient sigh, as if beginning to wonder why he was trying so hard. Hattie could have told him. It was the thrill of the chase for unwilling quarry.
He moved away from the counter. “Very well, I shall remain merely a paying customer and not attempt to get familiar with you at all. Will you show me another hat? No, wait. I think I’ve spotted the one I simply must have.”
He strode over to a mannequin, swept Mrs. Darrow’s hat off its head, and placed it on his own. The hat was boat-shaped, three-feet long and nearly as wide, and stuffed with an array of fruit, flowers, feathers, and fowls in a chaotic display even Hattie couldn’t coordinate into something attractive. Sequin-studded veiling draped Hardy’s face and through it, he lowered his eyelids in coy flirtation. “Would you find me attractive in something like this?”
“I do not find you attractive at all.” Hattie’s terse remark was ruined by the fact that a snort of laughter escaped her. And then another. And another. Until she was laughing uncontrollably at the spectacle of the gentleman in a gray morning suit and natty spats sporting the outlandish hat.
Hattie couldn’t stop laughing as tears rolled down her cheeks. She hadn’t done so with such unrestrained gusto in years. Not since she was very young.
Inspired by her amusement, Hardy fell into a swaying walk, mimicking a woman wearing long skirts. He nodded toward the left and right, as if greeting friends.
“Such a lovely day for a stroll in the park, isn’t it, Mrs. Pretentious? Wouldn’t miss your soiree for all the tea in China, Lady Upstart.” Then he put his hand to his mouth, speaking to his invisible companion. “As if I’d be caught dead gracing that jumped-up trollop’s home. She used to be an actress before she married a duke, you know.”
Hattie’s laughter subsided as if he’d thrown a brake. Although she often thought those sorts of things about her gossipy customers, his jibes were too pointed and mean. She wiped her damp cheeks and drew a steadying breath. “Please return the hat, Mr. Hardy.”
He did as she bid, a frown creasing his handsome brow. “I’ve offended you again, haven’t I?”
“Not me, but my customers. Despite their shortcomings, I owe them my respect, and ought not to indulge in laughter at their expense. Have you ever been judged for every word you speak or move you make? I believe only a woman can truly understand what that feels like.”
He smoothed his hair, which the hat had ruffled, but could not quite flatten a cowlick in back. “No one escapes this world without judgement. It is people’s nature to talk about one another. I’ll wager I’ve had my share of criticism when I wasn’t aware of it.” He shrugged. “But you’re right to stop me mocking your customers, who might walk in at any moment. That would hardly be good for business.”
“Neither would our engaging in conversation pass unnoticed,” Hattie added. “As you point out, people gossip constantly. A woman in my position must not be seen as flirting with a male customer or risk slander that might ruin her business like that.” She snapped her fingers. “Do you understand?”
A lady must be ever vigilant concerning her reputation. Aunt Elaine’s tightly pressed lips used to part barely enough to make that clipped pronouncement.
Hardy nodded. “In that case, let us go somewhere other than your shop. Might I take you to lunch?”
“I don’t leave the premises for my noon meal.”
“A short stroll in the park then? It’s a lovely day. Surely you may turn the sign to Closed for fifteen minutes.”
“I might be seen walking with you.”
He folded his arms, leaned on the counter, and looked up into her face. “I don’t believe fear for your good name is what stops you from doing what you want. I believe something else holds you back.”
“Then you would be wrong. Besides, why do you assume walking with you is something I wish to do?”
Hardy clapped a hand to his heart and winced dramatically. “You wound me.”
“I am cruel simply because I am not interested in spending time with you?”
He drummed his fingers on the glass countertop leaving little smudges she would have to wipe away later. “Tell you what. Take one walk with me. One very short walk. And if you still feel the same, I promise not to pester you again. You may consider this gnat thoroughly swatted.”
Hattie avoided the desire to wipe away those smudges right in front of him. “I told you. I can’t leave the shop unattended.”
“Even if you lock up?”
“Even if I lock up.”
“But you have your assistant to watch the