Free A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink Page B

only held out a hand, indicating she should follow Mr. Lancaster. He was already well ahead of them, almost invisible in the dim recesses of the shop. Helen hurried forward, following the sound of his voice as it rang through the dimly lit rooms.
    “We have company, Lawrence. Bring the tape and scissors, will you?”
    The store was cluttered with rolls of fabric and pieces of parchment depicting various costumes. They lay atop tables and were pinned to the walls in odd places. When they reached the back of the store, Mr. Lancaster pulled out a chair from underneath a table, indicating that she should sit. When she did, he handed her a piece of parchment and a quill.
    “Write down everything you need. Be specific now, or you never know what you’ll end up with.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.
    Looking down at the paper, she began pondering how to word her request. Griffin, standing near her shoulder, cast ashadow across the parchment, and she looked up, suddenly shy about her needs. Raising her eyebrows, she met his gaze.
    “What?” He looked around like the answer to her gesture was in the cluttered room. “You want me to leave?”
    “You don’t have to
leave.
You could simply… move to the front of the store or farther to the back.”
    He sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Very well.”
    He walked toward the front of the shop as Helen turned back to the table, bending her head to the parchment as she wrote. She had already given consideration the things she would need. With Griffin gone, she wrote in a flurry, citing the things that needed replacing and the special instructions for her new attire.
    Finally, her hand cramping from all the writing, she slid the list to Mr. Lancaster.
    He surveyed it with concentration before raising his eyes to hers. “My dear girl, are you quite sure?”
    She nodded. “I know it seems strange, but it’s necessary to be able to defend myself. And if there’s one thing my father taught me, it’s to depend only on myself, wherever possible.”
    Mr. Lancaster’s eyes softened. “Your father sounds very wise.” He leaned in, speaking in a low voice. “Though, if I maysay, the Channing brothers are a safe place to put your money when the chips are down. If anyone can protect you, it will be them.”
    She smiled. “Thank you. But I’d just as soon be able to protect myself.”
    He nodded, seeming to find deeper meaning to her words. “Of course.”
    She stood. “May I ask how soon you’ll be able to deliver the items?”
    Mr. Lancaster looked around, the oil lamp on the table causing his bald head to shine. “Lawrence!” He lowered his voice to a mutter. “Where in God’s name is he?”
    A tall, stout man appeared a moment later as if conjured by Mr. Lancaster’s voice.
    “I was looking for the good scissors and the tape you left by the machine upstairs,” he grumbled.
    Mr. Lancaster looked at him. “Are the reinforcements available tonight?”
    “I believe we can count on them.”
    Mr. Lancaster nodded with satisfaction, looking back to Helen. “We will make delivery tomorrow afternoon. I assume you’re staying at the Channing house?”
    “Yes, but, are you certain? How will you get it all done?”
    Mother’s seamstresses had taken at least a week for the first fitting of a dress.
    Mr. Lancaster tipped his head. “Miss Cartwright, Lawrence and I have a number of… ah… resources we call on in times like these. Desperate times, aren’t they?”
    She nodded slowly. “I suppose they are.”
    He met her gaze. “You will have your things tomorrow.”
    She smiled. “Thank you.”
    He stood. “And now, we need to get you behind the screen and take some measurements.”
    He led her to the back of the shop and a large fabric-covered dressing screen. With both Lawrence and Mr. Lancaster measuring her every which way, there was no room for inhibitions. By the time she left the store an hour later, she felt as if she’d known both men forever. It