Page 124 of The Wolf of Mayfair
“It is all for you. Anything your heart desires, anything you want, crave, or need, will be yours.”
As if to demonstrate that very promise, he inclined his head.
A young lad hastened over at a pace that sent his wool cap tottering on his head.
He held up a small red-and-green cloth, tied with a pink ribbon. “Roasted chestnuts for ye, Your Ladyship.” The child flashed a crooked smile.
Helia fell to a knee. “Why, thank you very much, good sir. Tell me,” she said as she loosened the ribbon. “Are you the fine maker of these sweets?”
He pulled at his tattered lapels. “Indeed I am, Yer Ladyship.”
Helia helped herself to one. She chewed the earthy, rich-tasting goody and closed her eyes. “It is more magnificent than I could have imagined.”
The four-foot-three-inch fellow grew several inches more under that high praise.
“Your parents must be very proud of your accomplishments ...?”
The lad shifted back and forth in his boots. “Ye want anything else, Yer Ladyship?”
Helia nodded. “Do you know, I do. My husband ...” She glanced up at the taciturn figure above them.
The child lifted his gaze and instantly blanched.
“Lord Wingrave and I have been searching for someone to make toasted chestnuts as good as yours. Isn’t that right, husband?” Helia gave her husband a stern look.
“No,” he muttered.
She narrowed her eyes.
“Maybe?” he rejoined, this time.
Helia shook her head and mouthed, “Try again.”
“Yes,” he gritted out.
Helia beamed and recalled the terrified lad’s focus. “You have such talent for this. What is your name?”
“Knox.”
“Mr. Knox,” she continued.
“Just Knox, my lady.”
“Very well, Knox. I can only imagine the wonders you’ll do in a kitchen. That is, if you are searching for employment?”
The boy choked. “Y-Yer Ladyship?” he squeaked.
Helia sighed. “It is as I feared—you are already employed in someone’s kitchens, no doubt a baker—”
“No! Don’t got no work. That is, no regular work.” He puffed his chest out. “It’d be an ’onor to work in yer kitchens, Yer Ladyship.” He dared a peek at Anthony. “And yers, Yer Lordship.”
Helia clapped her hands around the chestnuts. “Splendid!” She proceeded to give him directions to the waiting carriage, along with a message to deliver the driver.
Knox frantically bowed. “Ye willna regret this, Yer Ladyship. Oi promise.”
She scoffed. “Of course I won’t. I know a thing or two about delectable sweets. Isn’t that right, husband?” She directed that up to a stonily silent Anthony, giving him another chance.
He grunted; his hard features remained impassive.
