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basis, but the tidy nest egg she was managing to acquire gave her a sense of security.
    Never, ever again would she be alone and penniless.
    She was a woman who had made her way in the world and no one could take that away from her.
     
     
    Freshly scrubbed and attired in dry clothing, Fredrick realized that he was starving. With a last glance in the mirror to check that his cravat was precisely knotted and his curls tamed, he left the room.
    He closed the door behind him, his heart giving a sudden leap as he watched Mrs. Walker marching down the hallway.
    For some unfathomable reason, he had been unable to thrust the thought of the woman from his mind. Strange, considering he was a man who never allowed himself to be distracted. How could he have possibly made such a success of his business if he could not concentrate fully on his goals?
    On this evening, however, it did not matter how often he sternly turned his thoughts to his upcoming confrontation with his father, his mind refused to cooperate. Instead of plotting out a strategy, he had brooded upon the perfection of a sweet Madonna countenance and tender curves hidden beneath layers of ugly wool.
    Mrs. Walker was not the first woman he had ever desired, but she was by far the most intriguing.
    That aloof disdain. The air of unshakable command. The delicious femininity disguised beneath a layer of ice.
    It was a challenge that no man could resist. Especially a man who preferred to earn his rewards rather than having them handed to him on a silver platter.
    Unfortunately, his first attempt to discover the means of slipping beneath her fierce composure had accomplished nothing. Rather than the maid he had been expecting to tend to his needs, it was the surly Quinn who had brought up his bath and stoked the fire. The elderly man had made it clear that he had no intention of gossiping about his employer, at least nothing beyond confirming to Fredrick that the woman held men in contempt, and most particularly those from London.
    It seemed, however, that his luck was just about to take a turn for the better, he told himself as he deliberately moved to block the narrow corridor.
    With a scowl Mrs. Walker came to a reluctant halt, her expression revealing she was not nearly so pleased as himself with the stroke of fortune.
    “Ah, Mrs. Walker.”
    He slowly smiled, his gaze dipping down to discover she had changed her gown to one of a pale grey. Unfortunately, it was even less flattering than the brown monstrosity. The woman might be an extraordinary businesswoman, but her taste in clothing could leave a man limp at a hundred paces. Which was no doubt the object of the hideous gowns.
    Thankfully, it took a great deal more to make Fredrick limp. Instead his cock hardened as lurid images of stripping off the thick wool to discover the satin beneath danced through his head.
    “Good evening, sir.”
    “There was no need to escort me to dinner. Not that I am complaining, mind you. I appreciate any opportunity to be in the company of a beautiful woman. Still, it does seem we should at least be properly introduced before we proceed any further.” He performed his most elegant bow. “Fredrick Smith at your service. And you, I presume, must be Mrs. Walker, the proprietress of this fine establishment?”
    The blue eyes glittered with an artic chill. “I am. And as proprietress I have a number of duties awaiting my attention. So if you will kindly move aside?”
    “I will just as soon as you answer a simple question for me.”
    “What question?”
    Fredrick took a step forward, startled to discover that beneath the scent of starch and wax was a lovely hint of roses.
    A startling new piece to add to the puzzle of Mrs. Walker.
    “To my knowledge we have never encountered one another before today. So precisely why have you taken me in such great dislike?”
    The cool dignity never faltered. “You are mistaken, Mr. Smith. I do not like or dislike you. You are merely a guest at my inn