“Miss Trewlove.” Her yellow frock reminded him of the sun cascading over a field of clover. With so little effort, she seemed able to brighten the dullest day.

Moving up to the counter, she set a piece of paper on top of it. “These are the sweets I’d like to have on hand for Friday’s reading time.”

Mrs. Flowers—he now knew the woman’s name thanks to Miss Trewlove and regretted that he’d been remiss in introducing himself. It was such a small thing to call someone by name, but he’d seen an immediate change in the clerk as though she’d been greeted by royalty—took the paper and read it over. “Ooh, strawberry bonbons. They’ll delight the little tykes.”

“I thought they might.”

“They’ll make a mess with them, though.”

“I’ll have damp linens on hand for cleaning sticky fingers.”

“But if they get your books dirty—”

“I’d rather they look at them with dirty fingers than not look at them at all.”

He couldn’t imagine his own mother having that attitude. As a lad, he’d been bathed and placed in fresh clothes anytime he came in from outside or just before he was presented to her in the afternoon, so she could ask him how he’d occupied his time. He suspected Miss Trewlove would give her children more than half an hour a day, that she wouldn’t have to ask how they’d spent their day because she would be involved in their play, their studies, their lives. She would embrace them, never causing them to doubt they were loved.

“Then I’ll have this order filled and delivered to you before noon on Friday. Is there anything else I can get for you?”

“Think I’ll just have a look.” She eased over until she was standing near enough that he could smell the fragrance of oranges. “Have you a sweet tooth, Mr. Sommersby?”

“On occasion. I’m not really certain what I’m in the mood for, however.”

“I favor toffee myself.”

“Hmm. I haven’t had that since I was lad. I’ll take a dozen toffees, Mrs. Flowers.”

“Very good, sir.”

“I’ll have the same,” Miss Trewlove said.

“Put them on my tab, Mrs. Flowers.”

“Please don’t. You’re going to start rumors flying about.”