Page 53 of A Bloom for a Blacksmith
“Iris tells me you sent Mr. Thompson to Lambeth Pier for the granite.”
Darius gave a start and barked a laugh. “That means he must have met her at the market,” he said in a whisper, grinning.
“He brought her here on his phaeton,” Stella whispered.
Glancing over at the young woman, Darius sobered. “I’ll get started on Jacob O’Connor’s marker on the morrow,” he said. “But I need to know what she wants carved on it.”
Stella moved behind the counter and pulled out the pen and ink and a bookmark. “Iris, could you join us?” she called out.
Iris set aside the book she had been dusting and hurried to the counter, her eyes round with worry. “Has something happened?”
“Mr. Thompson will be bringing me the granite block for your brother’s gravestone on the morrow, and I wish to get started with the carving,” Darius replied. “Could you write down for me exactly what you’d like it to say?”
Iris nodded. “I already have, Mr. Agremon.” She pulled a folded paper from her pocket and handed it to him. “I’ll pay whatever it costs.”
“You’ll pay nothing, actually,” he replied. “Your brother’s marker will be my first attempt at carving granite. Although I don’t expect it to go badly, it’s not fair to charge you for my learning experience,” he added.
“But I should at the very least pay for the granite.”
“It’s a pittance,” he replied.
She sighed. “That’s very kind of you, sir.”
“You can say that if it turns out to your liking,” he said, giving her a nod. He turned to Stella. “Would you object to leaving early today? I think Miss O’Connor has the shop well in hand.”
Stella gave a start. “I have one thing I need to finish in the office, and then I’ll bolt the back door and get my shawl,” she said, already heading to the back of the shop.
When she was out of sight, Iris said, “Will she be all right, sir? She seemed so vexed after Lord Woodhurst took his leave.”
“Did you happen to hear any of their conversation?”
About to respond, Iris seemed to hesitate. “I wasn’t really paying attention, but I did hear him mention something about Ancient Greek and Cambridge,” she admitted. “And then he seemed most excited about the Agremon Steamer. Something about the betting books at his club and whether or not the vehicle would work.”
Barking a laugh, Darius rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t aware word had made it to White’s,” he said, referring to a men’s club in St. James’s Street. “Boodles has known for some time,” he added, referring to one of the other men’s clubs. “But only because I made sure of it.”
“It seems rather unfair that others will make money off your invention when they had nothing to do with its creation.”
“Agreed, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have some blunt on the bets,” he said, his lips quirking.
“You do?” she asked in surprise.
“Of course. I rarely gamble, but when I do, I bet on myself.”
Stella joined them, handing her shawl to Darius so he could drape it around her shoulders. “You’re gambling?” she asked with surprise.
“I wouldn’t call it that when it’s a sure thing,” he said, giving Iris a wink. “She’ll see you on the morrow. Don’t forget to lock the front door at closing time,” he said, directing his comment to Iris.
“I won’t, sir,” she replied.
Chapter Twenty-Six
An Unwelcome Visitor
A few minutes later
Iris watched the Agremons depart before returning to the bookshelf. She had already emptied all of one box of books and had started on another when the shelves were filled. Deciding it best she wait for instructions from Stella before installing books on the other side of the bookcase, she searched for a book on the British aristocracy.
She was determined to learn what she could about Lord Woodhurst. What had been in the letter than had Stella so upset?
