“I am fine.” Grace coughed as though she’d choked on something in the air and jutted her chin to a defensive angle. “Your face is pinking a bit too. I am sure it is nothing more than our brisk walk. London’s stale air kept us from exerting ourselves properly. We must take more strolls to improve our endurance and health.”
Joy narrowed her eyes. Rarely did anything slip past her. “Stay away from the card tables, sister. Your words say one thing, but your face says quite another.”
Grace ignored her and increased their already spirited pace. “Shall we try Mettlestone’s for baubles for the children? Their shop rarely disappoints.”
“Even if we don’t find anything that suits, it would be rude not to stop in and visit with Mr. Herbert and Mrs. Beatrice. We haven’t seen them since last summer.”
Grace quite agreed. All the sisters loved Mr. and Mrs. Mettlestone, better known as Mr. Herbert and Mrs. Beatrice. The shopkeepers were always such a joy.
As soon as the bell above the door merrily jangled at their entrance, a cheerful crow followed. “Mrs. Beatrice, come to the front! Lady Grace and Lady Joy are here!”
Grace gave Mr. Herbert a jaunty curtsy even though she knew that might make some frown. She didn’t care. The dear old shopkeeper deserved every modicum of friendship and politeness. “Mr. Herbert! How are you, dear sir? Joy and I could not wait another day to come in for a visit.”
The round little man’s rosy cheeks plumped even more. Balding and possessing the sort of smile that made it impossible not to smile back at him, Mr. Herbert clapped his pudgy hands. “I am quite well, dear ladies, but not as well and lovely as the pair of you.” He turned and peered over the tops of his wire-rimmed spectacles at the curtained-off doorway behind the counter. “Mrs. Beatrice! Come to the front, my darling! We have treasured guests.” He turned back to them and lowered his voice. “Bless my dear wife’s soul. I fear her ability to hear is becoming impaired, but please do not mention it.”
Grace and Joy both shook their heads and pressed a finger to their lips. Mr. Herbert’s confidence was safe with them.
An equally round, yet a tad shorter, and silvery-haired woman burst through the curtains of the doorway, paused a hairsbreadth of a moment, then gleefully clapped her hands. “Lady Grace! Lady Joy! I was hoping we would soon be blessed with a visit.” She swatted her husband’s shoulder. “Mr. Herbert! Why did you not tell me the ladies were here?”
He caught her hand and kissed it, then said with all seriousness, “Forgive me, my darling. I was so delighted to see the ladies that I simply forgot.”
She forgave him with a loving smile and a touch of his cheek. “Not to worry, my dear one. Not to worry. The main thing is I know they are here now.” As Mrs. Beatrice turned back to them, Grace held her breath to keep from laughing at Mr. Herbert wiping his brow with an exaggerated sweep of his hand and a comical wiggle of his head.
“And how is the rest of the family?” Mrs. Beatrice asked as she folded her hands atop the shelf of her plump middle.
“Of course, you knew Blessing and Fortuity are married now,” Grace said, “but did Fortuity think to write and let you know about little Quill? He is just now two months old.”
Mrs. Beatrice hurried over to a shelf and snatched down a book, beaming with happiness as she brought it forward. “Yes! When her latest novels arrived, she included a note that told us all about him, Master Quill Ravenglass. I adore that name.” She hugged the book as if it were a babe. “And what about little Miss Aurora? Is she walking by now?”
“Almost,” Joy said. “She loves to toddle around while holding on to your fingers.”
“Any more banns to be read anytime soon?” Mr. Herbert asked with a waggle of his bushy brows. “By my count, there are still five sisters yet to marry.”
“Much to Chance’s disappointment—no.” Grace glanced not once but twice out the large front shop window as a familiar figure, tall and dark, passed in front of it and approached the door.Drat. Drat. Drat.She was trapped more surely than poor Hector had been snarled in the woodbine. Heaven help her. The children were with him too.
The welcoming bell jangled, and the trio entered. The duke’s broad shoulders filled the doorway, blocking any sunlight tryingto enter with him. Or, at least, it seemed that way. Perhaps it was his black cutaway coat that made him appear so large, just as his buff pantaloons and tall, well-polished boots stressed his long legs. Young Connor wore identical dress, and little Sissy outshone them both in a soft pink confection with a matching bonnet.
Grace held her breath, praying the children wouldn’t reveal they already knew her. She backed up a step without even realizing she did so.
Joy drew closer and whispered, “Is that—”
“Your Grace,” Mrs. Beatrice said to the duke as she proffered the perfect curtsy. With a gracious wave of her hand, she motioned at Grace and Joy. “What auspicious timing—allow me to introduce you to Lady Grace and Lady Joy Abarough, sisters to the Duke of Broadmere and your neighbors to the north of your property.”
Grace managed an awkward curtsy, noting that Joy did little better, since she appeared to be studying the man to report to the rest of their sisters once they returned home. Serendipity would be sorely put out that she had missed this meeting, as she prided herself on keeping up with the very lateston dit.
The duke removed his hat and returned a polite nod to them both. “A pleasure, ladies. Allow me to introduce you to Lord Connor and Lady Susannah, my brother and sister.”
Impressive,Grace thought, somewhat amending her opinion of the odious duke. Perhaps he was not such an ogre after all. Few men would have bothered to introduce the children. She aimed a better curtsy at the young twins. “Lord Connor, Lady Susannah, it is a pleasure to meet you both.”
Joy curtsied to them as well.
Connor squared his shoulders, marched forward, and took hold of Grace’s gloved hand. “I am very happy to make your acquaintance, Lady Grace. Very happy indeed.” The child heldhis gracious yet somber expression with admirable control, not giving away their prior meeting in any way.
Grace accepted his overture with a regal nod while stealing a glance at Sissy. The girl was just as well behaved. No one would ever guess about their adventurous first meeting. Upon returning her attention to the duke, Grace realized the recognition flashing in his dark eyes was not nearly as controlled. She immediately looked away, turning back to Mrs. Beatrice. “Do go ahead and take care of His Grace, since Joy and I are uncertain about what to get for Aurora and Quill.”
“Yes, do,” Joy said in a tone that alarmed Grace. Her sister had a nose for secrets, and she’d picked up on the scent. “We are more than happy to browse. You have so much from which to choose.”
“We don’t mind waiting,” Connor said to Grace. “After all, you ladies were here first.” He turned and shot a pointed look up at his brother. “Right, Wolfe?”
