The young footman turned. “Your Grace, is there something you need?”
“Yes. I’m taking the young ladies into Warrington this morning.”
“Shall I go with you?”
Richmond nodded. “Yes. And there’s a special errand I’d like you to do while in the village. Go to the bookstore and ask Mr. Bentley for a copy ofFrankenstein.”
“Of course. Anything else?”
“Yes. Ensure he takes any additional copies he has in stock off the shelf. I don’t want Miss Bainbridge to see the book there.”
Colin nodded. “I understand, Your Grace. I’ll go and have the carriage brought around.”
Richmond was well-pleased. He’d be able to give Emma a novel she wanted for her birthday, and she wouldn’t have a clue that he was orchestrating the gift. He wanted her day to be perfect. She deserved nothing less.
It wasn’t long before Sophia and Julia came rushing down the stairs to where he waited in the foyer. “Richmond! What a happy surprise,” Sophia said, hugging him.
Emma and Charlotte appeared at the top of the stairs, and he bounded up them and scooped his sister into his arms.
“Richmond, I can walk.”
“I don’t want you to tire yourself on the stairs.”
The carriage was waiting outside, and Richmond handed them inside before he climbed in. The morning was pleasantly warm with a burst of brilliant sunshine. It was a short ride into Warrington when the carriage stopped in front of the modiste shop.
Richmond handed each young lady down. “New ribbons are definitely in order for the birthday dinner, don’t you agree, Sophia and Miss Julia?”
Julia and Sophia squealed and rushed into the shop while he helped Charlotte make her way inside.
“Your Grace, lovely to see you again,” Mrs. Dillion said. “Your order is ready.”
Richmond nodded.
“Your order? What does she mean?” Charlotte asked.
Mrs. Dillion plucked two stunning dresses off the rack and brought them to Charlotte and Emma. “Every young lady needs a new dress for their birthday.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Richmond, what have you done?” she asked as she stared at the pale pink confection the modiste held up. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it,” he said and then pointed to the pale green dress. “Miss Bainbridge, what do you think of yours?”
“What? Why—” Emma sputtered.
“Because every young lady deserves to feel beautiful,” he said.
Julia and Sophia oohed over the dresses. “They’re stunning,” they said.
“I’m glad you think so,” Richmond said, nodding to Mrs. Dillion’s assistant. The young woman brought forth two more dresses.
“For us?” the girls exclaimed.
He nodded. “Of course. You don’t think I’d forget you two, do you?”
Sophia rushed to her brother and hugged him tightly. “Oh Richmond, you’re the best brother. Thank you so very much.”
“Your Grace, thank you,” Julia said. “I adore the dress.”
Richmond turned to Emma. “Miss Bainbridge, is your dress to your liking?”
