Poppy sat in the tea shop and clasped her fingers together. She had no money for tea, or scones, or any of the delicious little treats she had seen other people eating. Around her sat several well-dressed patrons. This was not a tea shop for the likes of her. This was for people who had money they could spend on fripperies.
"May I take your order?"
"I am waiting for someone, but thank you."
The lady looked doubtful, and who could blame her. Poppy had been seated for some time, and looked as out of place as she felt. She had been driven around the park once and then deposited here and told to wait for Lord Dangerous. However, now it was becoming uncomfortable, as she was sure the staff thought she was sitting here to avoid the cold weather.
Getting to her feet, Poppy decided enough was enough. She could not sit a second longer and have people cast pitying looks her way, and staff glower at her. She had her pride, what was left of it, and she needed no one's pity. Lifting her chin, she walked to the door, opened it, and stepped outside.
"I told you to wait in there."
Lord Dangerous was on the step below her, about to enter the shop. Their faces were now a few inches apart. The breath whooshed from Poppy's lungs as their eyes met. She willed herself not to look away, even though she wanted to.
"I have no wish to wait in there."
He was imposing. His hat made him tall, and his shoulders were wide, and he had that air of money and power that Poppy was not fond of. She saw a small scar in the shape of a sickle on his right cheekbone, so faint it was almost gone.
"Why?"
"Because."
"That is not an answer."
She refused to drop her eyes; the man had probably been intimidating those he considered beneath him since birth.
"It is the only one you are getting."
He smiled then. It reached his eyes and showed her a neat row of white teeth. He had a dimple, Poppy realized, in his left cheek, and it just added to his appeal, which was annoying, as surely it should make him appear boyish.
"Miss March, will you sit with me for a while and listen to what I have to say?"
"I have sat in there long enough, and have no wish to now do so any longer, and most especially not alone with you."
He placed a hand on his chest and looked solemn. However, on closer inspection his eyes appeared to laughing at her.
"Your reputation is safe, I assure you."
Poppy did not like being the brunt of people's jokes, and perhaps she was a tad prickly about this matter at the moment due to her circumstances, but her pride had taken something of a beating, and she had no wish for this man to poke at it further.
"Do you think because I am poor my reputation is not as important as one of your debutantes', my lord?"
He was silent for several seconds, and Poppy dug her toes deep into her boots to stop them from shuffling as he continued to look steadily at her.
"That is not the first time in our brief acquaintance that you have alluded to my snobbery, Miss March. I find I like it even less the second time. Furthermore, I do not collect debutantes." His voice rose slightly on the last word.
"Of course you do not collect debutantes, it was simply a figure of speech."
"May I suggest you think more before you figure your speech in the future. Now, I am finished with this silly conversation and wish for nourishment, so move back inside if you please."
"I don't-"
Poppy did not want to go back inside, but it seemed she had little choice in the matter, as he was now nudging her through the door with gentle force.
"Have you had tea?" he said, holding out a chair for her.
Poppy noticed that people were looking at her differently now. The serving staff were bustling toward their table, and she hated that because she was with him, Lord Dangerous, suddenly she was worthy of their time and not their pity.
"No, I have not."
"Why?"
He settled himself across from her, and she saw his question was genuine.
"I had tea this morning," Poppy lied.
"So did I, but I'm sure there is room in my morning for more than one cup."
"I am full."
He studied her and she saw the moment he realized why she had not ordered anything.
"Forgive me, I had not realized."
"Don't you dare pity me because I did not wish to spend my money on tea in this high-priced establishment. I am no different from many who do not have the funds to sit about all day taking tea. I need nothing from you but that you help Lady Revel."
He turned away from her as one of the staff approached, a young lady who simpered, smiled, and batted her eyelashes until Poppy wanted to slap her. When she left, Lord Dangerous once again looked at her.