Читать книгу Mrs Boots - Deborah Carr - Страница 10

Later, as she lay back against her pillows in a quiet moment of solitude before being called for supper, Florence went over her day spent with Mr Boot. She had enjoyed herself in his company. She sighed happily, thinking of their next outing together. This time they would see the west of the island. For some reason she wanted him to love her homeland as much as she. She wasn’t sure exactly why this need was so great in her, but she felt almost panic to show him as much as possible before the time came for him to return to the mainland.

She had never expected to meet a man with whom she felt this much at ease, or who intrigued her so much. She thought about the little he had told her about his work as a druggist. It all sounded fascinating. Florence loved her job and knowing that she made the Rowes’ customers lives that much happier through the books and art supplies that they sold to them was an added bonus.

Maybe that was what connected them: their work. Hers catered for the customers’ spirits, their creative side, either by helping them escape in a novel, or providing them with books on how to make something, while Mr Boot’s business took care of their physical health. They were two sides of a coin that served the people living near them. The thought made her very happy.

Amy knocked on her door and opened it before waiting to be given permission. ‘Father has asked that you come downstairs.’

Florence glanced at her small mantel clock. It was one her grandmother had left to her and Amy, which her sister hadn’t wanted. ‘It’s earlier than usual tonight,’ she said, wishing she could be left a little while longer with her thoughts.

‘I have a feeling he and Mother wish to speak to you about something.’

Her stomach contracted slightly. On her return she had asked that she be allowed tomorrow off from work to accompany Mr Boot to La Corbière, but having already taken today away from the shop, she couldn’t imagine her father would agree. She hoped he would though. Mr Boot only had one week left on the island and she wasn’t looking forward to returning to find entertainment without his refreshing banter.

She checked her hair in the mirror and smoothed down her skirt. ‘I’ll be along directly,’ she said, wanting a moment to collect herself.

Florence entered the small living room and was taken aback to see Mr Boot standing between her parents.

‘Oh, I …’

‘I hope you don’t mind me calling on you so very soon after bidding you farewell this afternoon.’ He gave her a polite nod. ‘I was hoping to persuade Mr Rowe to allow you time away from the shop again tomorrow.’ He looked at her father, apologetically.

Her father didn’t look as cross about the prospect as Florence would have assumed. In fact, she thought, he seemed to be rather pleased.

‘No, not at all,’ she said, unable to hide her smile.

‘Mr Boot has advised me that he’s received a letter from home and must make plans to return to Nottingham a couple of days earlier than he had planned.’

Her mood plummeting, Florence had to concentrate on not showing her disappointment. ‘Nothing is wrong with Jane, I hope, Mr Boot?’

He shook her head. ‘No, Jane is well, I’m relieved to say. However, there is a business matter that needs my attention. My return has therefore had to be brought forward. Rather inconvenient, I’m afraid. It cannot, however, be helped.’

‘That is a shame,’ she said, not allowing herself to show her disappointment at hearing this news.

He cleared his throat. ‘I have come today in the hope that we might take another outing tomorrow. If, of course, it’s not too soon after our busy day out today?’

‘No, of course not,’ she said, without stopping to at least look as if she was considering his invitation. She gave her father an appealing smile. ‘Father? Would you mind me taking the day off from work?’

Her father moved next to Florence and rested his right hand on her shoulder. ‘I have given Mr Boot permission to go out with you tomorrow.’

She couldn’t hide her surprise. Her father must like Mr Boot very much to allow her another day off immediately after the one she took today. ‘Thank you, Father,’ she said, trying not to show her delight.

‘I have a fancy to see the new lighthouse at La Corbière.’

Florence only vaguely heard him. She was too stunned by her father’s permission for another day off to truly take in what Mr Boot had said.

He cleared his throat nervously when she didn’t answer straight away. ‘Only if you wish to accompany me, Miss Rowe. Please feel free to say if you’d rather not.’ He passed his leather gloves from one hand to the other.

Horrified to have given him the wrong idea, Florence shook her head. ‘Not at all, Mr Boot,’ she said, trying her best not to sound too enthusiastic. ‘I would very much like to accompany you to the lighthouse tomorrow. Thank you for asking me.’ Her mother had a particular abhorrence of women having an unladylike enthusiasm for anything, and found it extremely distasteful.

She waited in the living room as her father showed Mr Boot to the door.

Her mother didn’t appear happy at Florence agreeing to go on another outing with Mr Boot. She wasn’t sure why, so felt compelled to ask her.

‘Do you mind me accompanying Mr Boot on outings, Mother?’

Florence followed her mother as she walked into the kitchen, pulling the straps of her apron carefully over her head and tying it around her waist. She clattered about in the kitchen, not needing words to convey her feelings.

‘Mother, is something the matter?’

‘Nothing is the matter,’ her father said, joining them. ‘Your mother probably would like some help with the supper, or a little peace to continue with its preparation.’

‘Peace would be my preferred choice,’ her mother snapped without turning to address them.

Her father waved for her to follow him back to the living room. Florence shared her concerns.

‘Your mother has nothing against Mr Boot,’ he assured her as they sat opposite each other on the comfortable armchairs in front of the unlit fire. ‘How could anyone have an issue with such a pleasant man?’

Florence couldn’t say. ‘Why then does she appear upset that I am to see him again? Is it something I’ve done?’ If it was, she had no idea what it could be.

He leant forward and lowered his voice. ‘She likes Albert. I suspect your mother is anxious that your affections will gravitate from him to Mr Boot. After all, Mr Boot is quite a bit older than you and you must have noticed his occasional pain when he moved.’

She had but couldn’t understand what that had to do with anything. He was kind, entertaining and very good company. Surely that was what she needed from a man, not worrying about his age or the fact that once in a while he suffered pain in his legs.

‘Albert and I are merely friends, Father,’ she explained. ‘I only let Mother think that we might end up courting, because it stops her fretting that I’ll end up being a lonely spinster. Although, I can’t imagine ever being lonely, and I have no issue with remaining a spinster, whatever Mother says.’ As soon as the words left her lips, she wished she could recall them. She hated being rude to her parents and loved her mother, never intending to speak badly about her. ‘That is to say …’

Her father rested his hand on her shoulder. ‘Don’t concern yourself. I don’t like to think of your mother being misled. However, for the time being or until you’ve had a chance to change your mind about Albert’s prospects as a husband, maybe allowing her to believe that you have a fondness for him is the best option. .’

‘You prefer Albert over Mr Boot, Father?’

He considered her question for a moment. ‘I don’t believe it’s a case of liking one man more than the other. I am only concerned that you, as with your siblings, choose to be with someone who makes you happy, be it Albert or Mr Boot.’

Florence was relieved to hear him say as much. Although she barely knew Mr Boot, she could not deny to herself that there was something appealing about him as well as his business ethics. Her disappointment at hearing about his earlier than anticipated return to Nottingham had given her quite a jolt. It made her realise that she was enjoying his company even more than she had ever supposed she might.