When Marrying a Scoundrel by Kathryn Smith

someone opened such an establishment, where ladies could relax and refresh themselves at some time during their shopping excursion?
    It hadn’t taken long for them to start planning. After all, Sadie had made no secret about wanting her own shop, and Vienne’s instinct for business said Bond Street wasthe perfect location. Things were changing in the West End. Women were changing, and they were demanding shops change with them. Smart shopkeepers knew what side of their bread had the thickest butter. Vienne knew shopping, and she knew business, so Sadie decided to trust her own instincts and went looking for property to rent.
    And that search had led her here—to a sweet little shop in a creamy stucco building with a large bay window. The rent was high but worth it, and Sadie had no doubt she could pay it and a staff, and still turn a profit. Her regular clientele alone could keep her afloat, and then some.
    Thanks to Vienne’s business sense, Sadie had invested most of the money given to her by the Earl of Garret, and now had a sizable nest egg. Rather than sitting on it any longer, she was going to use that money—which she no longer felt guilty about keeping—to realize her dreams.
    It was a lovely day, the early afternoon sun warm but not uncomfortably so. Gray clouds threatened on the horizon, but for now the rain was held at bay by a sweet breeze and an otherwise perfect summer day. Soon, the Season would wind down and most of the crowd would leave town for the country. Her life would return to some semblance of normalcy.
    Perhaps most would find this the wrong time to open a business, when most of her clientele would be elsewhere, but she needed time to set up, to make changes to theinterior. She wanted to be settled, work out the kinks, and have a rhythm established before next Season struck. Better prepared than surprised, she believed.
    Sadie was early for her meeting—intentionally so. Anxious now that she was so close to seeing her dream a reality, she stood outside the shop and studied every visible inch of storefront, searching for a flaw. There had to be a flaw—something that would ruin this endeavor. Something always happened to add a bitter taste to her happiness.
    Vienne often called her a pessimist, but how could she be anything else when life itself had taught her such a lesson?
    Peering inside the window at the clean, posh space, Sadie caught sight of her reflection in the glass. She looked tired and pale, hollow around the eyes. She hadn’t slept well the night before. Thoughts of Jack kept her awake for hours. So many feelings were tied to her life with—and without—him that she felt as though she’d been put through a gigantic, emotional butter churn. Unfortunately she also looked it. Not even the rich peacock blue of her tailored walking jacket could camouflage her fatigue. She’d paired it with a flounced bronze skirt and matching hat, the wide brim of which was pinned up on one side and decorated with peacock feathers. Usually calling attention to the clothes rather than the face served her well, but not today.
    “Damn you, Jack,” she whispered at the wan woman staring back at her.
    “Christ,” came a voice from behind her. “You have got to be joking.”
    Sadie froze as malicious fate seized the heart in her chest. It was beyond cruel that she should feel any joy at the sound of Jack’s voice, but that awful flutter was there all the same. She looked up, too cowardly to turn, and met his gaze in the glass. He stood just behind her, looking far too right in his gentlemanly clothes. Vertical furrows cut deep between his scowling brows and his lips were pursed just enough to call attention to the thin grooves around them. When had those lines carved themselves in his beautiful face? Had it taken years to etch them, or had they sprung up quickly—after he discovered that she had given up waiting for him?
    She hoped it was the latter. She hoped he searched for her and wondered where