Delaney grinned. There was no way to be unhappy talking about candy. “A sweet shop.”
“Nocturne Falls already has one of those.” Elenora’s nostrils flared in annoyance. “Those Kellers are so…unpleasant.”
“That’s not a sweet shop. That’s a candy store.”
Her brow furrowed. “What’s the difference?”
“I’m talking about a place where everything is made right there. Nothing prepackaged, nothing out of a factory. All of it handmade in small batches. All of it fresh and interesting and local. Premium sweets.”
Elenora’s interest seemed piqued. “This is something you could do?”
“I could. I can. I do it now in my own kitchen.”
Elenora went silent for a few seconds, then her shrewd gaze tapered. “I thought you’d be blonde. I know Eternamate has a policy about matching people based on characteristics, but I told Ms. Poirot my grandson likes blondes. His last three girlfriends were all fair-haired beauties.”
“Yes, I met Piper.”
“Did you?” Elenora paused, somehow straightening further. “Do say. How did that go?”
“About as well as could be expected. She didn’t take the break up well, did she?”
“No.” Elenora tapped one slender finger on her chin. “Back to the blonde issue. How would you feel about becoming one?”
“I’m sorry, what?” Delaney wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly.
“My girl in town is very good. I’m sure she could fit you in if I called—”
“No. Thank you.” So much for the connection Delaney thought she’d been making. A tiny bit of anger stiffened her spine. “I’m not changing my hair color for a man.” She leaned in. “And since those last three girlfriends couldn’t get Hugh to commit, maybe blondes really aren’t his thing.”
Elenora’s mouth opened, and for a moment, Delaney thought she’d just blown it. Then Elenora laughed. “You’ve got ambition and guts, child. I’ll give you that.” She added sugar to her tea. “Hugh could use a little of that in his life. Someone to stir things up. Get him out of that lab.”
“Lab?” Delaney ate her little sandwich. The eggs she had for breakfast hadn’t really been enough.
“I’m sure he hasn’t shown it to you. It’s in his basement.”
“No, he hasn’t.” What on earth did he do down there that was off limits? Curiosity burned in her like a batch of hot sugar. “What kind of lab is it?”
The older woman barked out a very unladylike laugh. “You think he shares that with me?” She reached for another petit four, and a bracelet slipped from the wrist of her lace jacket. A large, familiar pendant dangled from it.
Delaney stared at it. “That’s a pretty little charm. Is it a family thing? Looks like the same one Hugh wears on a chain.”
“You could say it’s a family crest of sorts.” A sly look crept into Elenora’s eyes. “You’ve seen my grandson without his shirt.”
“No. I saw him in his robe in the kitchen this afternoon and noticed it.”
She nodded like she didn’t quite believe Delaney’s explanation. “It’s our family emblem.” She put her hand on her lap below the table, hiding the charm from further scrutiny. “As I’m sure you can understand, it’s very important to me that Hugh be happy. I believe you can bring him that happiness. I want you to do whatever it takes to make him fall in love with you.”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean.” If the woman was hinting that Delaney sleep with him, well, that was kind of an icky thing for a grandmother to suggest.
“I’m not sure I do either. And if I knew what it was going to take, I’d tell you.” She sat back and sighed. “What I do know is men are simple creatures. They like to be complimented. To feel powerful. And, especially important, to feel useful.”
Delaney nodded. “I appreciate your advice. I will do my best.” Not really. But what else was she going to say? Hey, I’m just hiding out from the mob, so don’t get your hopes up. “Thirty days isn’t a long time.”
Elenora nodded thoughtfully. “Then perhaps more incentive is needed. Get him to propose and set a date for the wedding before that time is up and you’ll have your sweet shop. I’ll finance everything you need from the building to the supplies, right down to the pretty little boxes with your name on them, if that’s what you want.”
Boxes with her name on them. Delaney’s heart stuttered at the offer. But it meant manipulating Hugh into marrying her. She forced herself to smile, even though the thought of using another person that way made her a little ill. “That’s a very generous offer, Mrs. Ellingham.”
“So you’ll think about it?”
“Yes.” It was probably all she’d think about. Her dream was being dangled in front of her like a sugar-crusted carrot.
“Excellent. Let’s finish our tea, shall we?”
Hugh shook his head. “She can’t stay here.”
“Ready to give up the daylight hours, are you?” Stanhill took a seat on one of the lab’s metal stools.
“No.” Hugh paced in front of his work table, the lunch Stanhill had brought down completely ignored. “But that woman is…bothering me.”
“You mean the way she forced you to kiss her.”