“By all means.”
Mrs. Hayward beheld me. “I should like to have a dinner party and invite our neighbours so you may become acquainted with them.”
I clinched my facial muscles to forestall a frown. “That is most considerate of you, but pray do not go to any bother on my account.”
“Nonsense, it is my pleasure.”
With a chuckle, Hayward shook his head. “If I know Darcy, my dear, a dinner party with him as guest of honour is the last thing he would want. I fancy he would prefer to meet our neighbours one at a time, or at least one family at a time.” When he met my gaze, I nodded my thanks.
“Indeed?” She quirked an eyebrow at me. “In that case, we shall thrust no more than one household of friends upon you at once.”
“That sounds ideal, thank you.”
The following day, Hayward and I took his carriage into Salisbury, where he acquainted me with the local blacksmith, surgeon, and postmaster. The shoemaker’s shop displayed a sign indicating they would be closed until Monday. I made a mental note to return and query the cobbler; maybe he could assist in identifying the suspect who used the name King.
We spent an amusing hour sipping ale at The Haunch of Venison, a quaint tavern on Minster Street. With no little pride, the affable proprietor exhibited his prized possession, a mummified hand. He spun an unlikely yarn of the hand’s origin and further bent our ears with tales of ghosts who haunted the grounds.
Later, when my friend lingered in the tannery to inspect the saddles, I parted from him to enter the nearby haberdashery. I often purchased small gifts for Georgiana when I travelled, and I strolled the aisles with her in mind. A display of colourful scarves drew my notice. Georgiana might like one of them, but which one?
“Good day, sir. I am Mr. Crew. May I be of assistance?”
I shifted towards the short, smartly dressed man whose hair receded high above his forehead. “Perhaps. I hope to find an item my fifteen-year-old sister would find desirable. Which of these do you think would be the most suitable?” I indicated two striking silk scarves, one in a green-and-yellow floral pattern, the other in blue-and-white stripes.
“Ah, both of those are pretty. Is your sister dark-haired like you?”
“No, her hair is blonde.”
He spread both scarves out on the table. “I think either one would make a delightful gift. It is a shame my female clerk is not in today, for she has exquisite taste in these matters.” His gaze locked upon a sight behind me. “Ah, pray allow me a moment, and I shall have an answer for you.”
Before I could articulate a response, he snatched the two scarves and strode towards a female who browsed an aisle with gloves and handkerchiefs. Did he mean to intrude upon another customer for such a trifling matter? If he had voiced that intention, I should have forestalled him.
Out of curiosity, I took a meandering course to acquire a clear view of the lady and the haberdasher from a sheltered position behind a group of cloaks.
“Good day, Miss Bennet. Are you in need of assistance?”
The lady beamed at the manager. “Good day, Mr. Crew. No, thank you. I am passing the time whilst I await my cousin, who stopped at the post office.”
The radiant smile Miss Bennet directed at Mr. Crew illuminated far more than herself; indeed, her presence brightened the area like the warming rays of the sun emerging through dark clouds on a bleak day. I found myself in the inexplicable state of envying the man for being the recipient of her attention. Her dulcet voice—confident, yet distinctly feminine—in combination with the captivating picture she made, summoned me closer as might a siren’s call.
Miss Bennet’s charms defied her unremarkable features. Her small nose lacked character, she stood at an unfashionably short height, and with her average-sized bosom and narrow hips, she lacked the symmetry and curves of the ideal female form. And her attire, of a commonplace cut and mediocre fabric, did nothing to embellish her looks. Yet her sparkling brown, or maybe hazel, irises had a fascinating allure, even from six yards or so away. I had to lock my feet in place to resist the inclination to shorten the distance; if I ventured any nearer, I should be caught staring.
“Ah, in that case I should appreciate your opinion of these two scarves.” Mr. Crew held them up for her perusal. “Which would you choose for a fifteen-year-old blonde lady?”
“Both of these are lovely and elegant, so I imagine she would be pleased to receive either.” Her expressive brows shifted to emphasise her speech in a most charming manner. “If the young lady has blue eyes, I should choose the striped scarf, and if she has brown or green eyes, the green-and-yellow one.”
I had become so engrossed in the melodious tone of her speech, it took a moment for the gist of her words to strike me. Why had that point not occurred to me? The blue one would enhance the colour of Georgiana’s eyes. Moreover, what explained my peculiar attraction to this lady, a stranger? Never before had I experienced anything similar to this phenomenon.
“Thank you very much.” Mr. Crew bowed to her. “I appreciate your help.”
“The pleasure is mine.” She glanced towards the window. “Ah, I see my cousin has finished his business, so I must go.” With a nod, she quit the shop in a light, graceful gait.
In her absence, the room faded to a dull lustre. Rather than indulge my disposition to follow Miss Bennet’s progress until she moved out of sight, I lowered my head to feign interest in the display of snuff boxes before me as Mr. Crew approached. I ought to be thankful she left before I drew attention to myself.
“Well, sir, I have an answer for you.” Mr. Crew wore a triumphant grin.
“Yes, I heard the lady’s response. But I wish you had not disturbed her on my account.”
Mr. Crew’s hand fluttered at me. “Pray, sir, think nothing of it. I should not have approached just any customer. I have known Miss Bennet for many years, and I knew she would not mind my question. She is one of the most amiable ladies of my acquaintance.”
