Chapter Ten #2
Her heart ached to think of Benedict alone in such a place, having to hide who he really was, the moments when he’d wished for a familiar face or a comforting voice.
She couldn’t believe the weight he had carried alone for so long.
She was grateful he trusted her enough to share it now, but she also wished she could take away the sadness.
She glimpsed another shop across the street, the windows bright, inviting and cheerful. ‘Come with me,’ she said, and took his hand to tug him with her.
‘Where are we going?’ He laughed.
‘Some place where no one can help but feel happy, even if just for a few moments,’ she said, and pulled him into the sweet-shop.
She pushed open the heavy door and bells rang out, mingling with the rich, heady scent of sugar, vanilla and caramel.
Shelves climbed towards the ceiling lined with rows of glass jars and ornate tins brimming with confections: sugared ginger, boiled sweets in every colour, striped peppermint sticks and sugared almonds spilling out like little pastel jewels.
The counter gleamed with ceramic bowls filled with fudge, toffee and caramels.
There was magic there, just like in the bookshop.
‘Sweets,’ he said, his face filled with amazement as he gazed around.
‘A bit of toffee always cheers me right up,’ she said.
‘You always just know the right thing, don’t you, Jane?’ Their glance was like a secret just between the two of them.
‘Maybe our childhoods were not all we could have wished for,’ she said. ‘But we can pretend to have them back again, just for a moment. Here, try this!’
They dashed down the aisles together as if they were indeed children again, eyes wide with delight, reaching for jars filled with sticky toffees and swirled lollipops.
He took a bite of chocolate-edged caramel and Jane noticed a smudge of the sticky sweet clinging to the tip of his nose.
She laughed and, without even thinking about it, she reached up.
Her fingertips brushed softly against his skin as she wiped the chocolate away.
He leaned into her touch, completely at ease in the moment.
The world around her blurred for a second; there was only the warmth between them, the simple joy of being with someone.
When she returned home with packets of lemon drops, she was sure she would still feel the echo of that simple happiness, that perfection.
It was something she knew she would hold onto in lonely hours, once he had gone back to his English life.
The Newport light was growing golden when they emerged from the shop, laden with parcels of sweets.
‘Jellies are the best sweets of all,’ Benedict said, popping one into his mouth.
Jane laughed, feeling so light she could float with it. ‘Of course not! It’s the chocolate almonds.’ They went past a milliner’s shop, so occupied with arguing about the relative merit of sweets they didn’t hear the bells of the doors jingle as it opened and closed.
‘Your Grace,’ someone said in shocked tones. ‘My goodness. Imagine seeing you here.’
Regina Van Joort. Jane felt her heart sink, the brightness darken just a bit.
She turned to see Regina and Florence Livingston just emerging with striped hatboxes in their gloved hands.
They stared curiously between Jane and Benedict, and she wondered what gossip would race around the drawing rooms now.
Regina was all lace ruffles and satin ribbons, like a Dresden shepherdess, if china figurines could smirk. Jane ducked her head, wondering if chocolate was smeared on her cheek on top of everything else.
‘Miss Van Joort. Miss Livingston,’ she managed to say. ‘How do you do?’
Florence looked rather unsure, shifting on her kid shoes, but Regina kept smiling, ignoring Jane as she focused on Benedict.
‘I do hope you are enjoying your stay here in Newport, Your Grace,’ Regina said.
‘You must join my family for a little bridge party soon, and perhaps a tour of the historic sites one day. Van Joorts have been in Newport for decades; we know everything that should be seen. It is older than many think.’
‘I have already been most charmingly welcomed, thank you, Miss Van Joort,’ Benedict said. ‘Books, sweets…all of the highest quality.’ He held up his parcels.
‘Sweets,’ Regina murmured. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Jane. ‘How adorable.’
‘I shall have to ask my aunt about her calendar for bridge,’ he said dismissively, and took Jane’s arm to stroll away after politely tipping his hat. Jane couldn’t resist peeking back over her shoulder to see the expressions on Regina’s and Florence’s faces.
‘Regina will be quite consternated,’ she said with a laugh.
‘Will she?’ Benedict said, a puzzled little frown on his face, as if Newport was suddenly a real town, not mere social theatre. ‘But I hardly know her.’
‘She wants to impress you, of course. Yet you were impressed by candy, not how old her family name is. Remember our talks about American ladies and their courtships?’
He smiled, a quick flash of sunlight. ‘But, Jane, nothing else does matter when there are lemon drops to be had—and someone to share them with…’