Chapter 10 #2
Aunt Julia appeared equally appalled and intrigued by the conversation she was witnessing. Mr. Campbell stepped forward and offered me his arm. “I hope our picnic is engaging enough for the time being.”
I wanted to ask about the pineapple, but decided that such a comment was better left for later when Aunt Julia was no longer within earshot.
With my hand resting lightly on his arm, Mr. Campbell led me through a long corridor toward the back door of the house.
Sunlight poured down on the walled garden, but there were a few spots of shade beneath the trees in the enclosed space.
A narrow gravel path led toward a wooden bench with a trellis and climbing white roses.
On a spot of grass beneath a tree was a large rug topped with pillows, a basket, and a tray with lemonade and water.
Mr. Campbell ushered Aunt Julia to the bench, where a maid seemed to have been hiding behind the roses.
She stepped out with a tray of food and lemonade, placing it on the bench beside Aunt Julia.
I watched in awe as the maid withdrew a fan, poised to cool Aunt Julia should she make such a request. My aunt’s eyes drifted toward me, round with delight.
“I hope you find my servants attentive and well-trained,” Mr. Campbell said in a low voice as we continued our walk toward the rug.
I shot him a curious look before remembering what I had said to him the day before about liking large estates with well-trained, attentive servants. “Oh, yes. I must say they have impressed me thus far. Let us hope they continue to.”
Mr. Campbell turned away before I could see his reaction.
Besides the pineapple, I had also mentioned something about diamonds, rubies, the opera, watercolor, and sorbets.
I hadn’t been in earnest, of course, but Mr. Campbell seemed to be taking my words seriously.
Or at least he was playing along with my game.
As we sat down on the rug, I noticed a set of watercolor paints and rolled canvases beside the picnic basket.
Had he truly planned all of this for me in less than a day?
I looked up at him as I adjusted my skirts around my ankles, feeling suddenly shy.
Perhaps I should have told him about the things I actually liked.
Instead, I was stuck pretending to have ‘fine taste,’ as he had called it.
I felt Mr. Campbell’s gaze on my face as I studied the spread of food and paint and tasseled pillows in front of me. I had never been presented with such an elaborate display before. No one had ever tried to impress me in such an obvious way. I hardly knew what to say or think.
“What lovely tassels.” I pointed at the nearest pillow.
Mr. Campbell’s eyebrows shot up. He was obviously unimpressed with my compliment, but it had been the only thing to come to mind. His lips twitched. “I’m glad you appreciate them. They don’t often receive the admiration they deserve.”
I gave a swift nod. “I have never found myself overlooking such small details. I am quite discerning, you know.”
Mr. Campbell smiled again, but it was fleeting. “I shall keep that in mind.”
I stared at him with misgiving as he lifted a glass and filled it with lemonade from the pitcher.
I still didn’t believe that this entire ordeal was genuine, but I could think of no reason for him to be putting on a ruse.
He met my gaze as he handed the glass to me.
I took a sip, my mouth puckering with the tartness.
It was still much better than the mineral water Aunt Julia had given me that morning.
My gaze traveled to the bench where she sat with her own small picnic.
That was a thoughtful detail. All of it was thoughtful.
She was too far away to hear our conversation, so I turned to Mr. Campbell with a question.
“I trust my pineapple is in that basket?”
He poured himself a glass of lemonade with a rueful smile. “Unfortunately, I have yet to obtain one. I hope you will allow me more than a day to do so.”
I glanced heavenward. “I suppose I didn’t specify how long it should take.”
“I am most grateful for your patience.” Mr. Campbell reached for the basket and opened the latch. He withdrew an assortment of fruit, small pastries, sandwiches, and cheeses. My mouth watered at the sight.
I tore my gaze away. I had to keep my wits about me. “In the meantime, how should I know your intentions are genuine?”
He paused, a tray of sweets suspended halfway between the basket and the rug. “Is this not enough?”
I paused. There was surely a fine line between challenging his pursuit and acting entitled to it. But I hadn’t seen any success until I had started acting aloof. Wouldn’t it be best to continue? My mind raced. “It’s a promising start, to be sure.”
He lowered the tray abruptly to the rug, and one of the miniature cakes rolled off the edge.
I reached for it at the same moment he did.
Our hands touched lightly, a trail of warmth spreading up my fingertips.
The sensation lasted only a brief moment before I jerked my hand away.
Mr. Campbell met my gaze. For a strange reason, my cheeks heated.
It was a hot day, yes, but not that hot.
Unsure of where to look, I glanced up at the back of the house.
Sunlight glared on the windows, but I thought I saw a man’s face behind one of them. A jolt of surprise struck my chest. I squinted, and before I could catch another glimpse, the curtains closed abruptly.