“In that case, I intend to buy quite a few things,” Elizabeth informed him.She glanced at Jonathan from beneath her lowered lashes.
As always, his clothes were immaculate and in excellent taste.He wore a royal blue waistcoat and jacket with fawn-colored breeches.His shirt was white, as were his stockings.
She noticed that his attention was focused on the scenery outside the carriage window as if he were trying to look at anything but her.His brows were drawn down in a heavy scowl, and she could tell he wouldn’t make good company today.
The carriage stopped in front of Gafton House—a linen-draper’s shop—and the place Elizabeth liked best.Before she went to America, she used to visit Gafton House several times a year.She had even invited the proprietor, Mrs.Hepplewhite, out to Briercliff to bring her dresses and fabric.
A tiny bell rang as they entered through dark green double doors.Two long counters stretched the length of the first room where the clerks waited on the patrons; today there wasn’t a single space in front of them.The shop was packed with customers.
Brightly colored bolts of cloth were stored behind the counter in bins along with other accessories.
“Evidently, everyone is doing their last-minute shopping for the Season.I would be happy to stay home and avoid this crunch,” she said with a smile.
“Nice try,” Jonathan shot back, “but it won’t work.”
At the back of the first room was an archway with two glass windows that stretched from top to bottom.It was from there that Mrs.Hepplewhite emerged as she headed to the front of the store.
“Lady Elizabeth,” said Mrs.Hepplewhite, who hurried over and took her hand.“It is so good to see you again, my dear.You have been away much too long.”She turned to look at Jonathan with open curiosity.“And is this the reason you’ve been away?I’ll be crushed if you’ve gotten married and I didn’t make your gown.”
Elizabeth blushed bright red.She could see the muscle in Jonathan’s jaw tighten.“This is Jonathan Hird, Earl of Longdale and a good family friend.”
“It is nice to meet you, Lord Longdale,” Mrs.Hepplewhite said, nodding.“I hope I’ll be making that wedding gown soon.”
“Yes, you will be making a wedding gown, but I assure you, I’ll not be the groom,” Jonathan said, his voice cold and hard.He turned to Elizabeth.“Can I trust you to select the appropriate gowns?If so, I shall come to collect you later.”
Elizabeth didn’t bother to answer.
“I’m going to take Elizabeth to the back room and assist her myself, so she shouldn’t be longer than a few hours at most,” Mrs.Hepplewhite said, breaking the icy silence.
“Elizabeth?”Jonathan waited, impatience plain on his face.
“I’m a grown woman, Jonathan.I think I can manage to select my own ball gowns,” Elizabeth informed him primly.
“Then I shall fetch you in three hours.”
Once he was outside, Jonathan breathed a sigh of relief.He wasn’t going to survive this task, he thought as he climbed into his carriage and gave his driver instructions to take him to White’s.His bloody head was already pounding.Dealing with pirates was easier than dealing with Elizabeth Trent.
His carriage had stopped.Jonathan looked out the window and found several carriages were backed up, waiting to pull up in front of White’s.
He tapped on the carriage, then opened the door and stepped out on the sidewalk.He looked up at the coachman.“I’ll walk from here.Come back in three hours.”
Jonathan strolled down the street.It felt good to stretch his legs as he walked the block and a half.He passed the large bay window that White’s had built in the middle of the club.Jonathan looked up as he passed the window and sure enough, Beau Brummell, dressed in his most elegant attire, sat with the Duke of Argyll and Sir Lumley Skeffington, watching the passersby.It was a game to Brummell that they never acknowledged anyone who walked by the window.But this time was different as all three men nodded at Jonathan.
As Jonathan climbed the steps of the gentlemen’s club, all he could think of were the endless balls he would be forced to attend, the first being next week.He hated the bloody affairs.Now, he had to contact friends to let them know that he and Elizabeth were in town, so the invitations would start flooding in.Maybe he’d be lucky and find Elizabeth a husband at the first party.Then they wouldn’t have to go to any more.However, his conscience told him, not bloody likely.
Inside the club, Jonathan looked around the oak-paneled room to see who he knew.He saw Lords Alvanley and Sefton, who were seated with George Ragget, the club’s owner.
Jonathan moved into the next room where the games were played and the betting book was found.He was just getting ready to join in a poker game when someone called his name.
“Is that the Earl of Longdale?Or am I too far into my cups?”
Jonathan stopped and turned around.“You’ve always drunk too much, ol’ boy,” he said to Ian Duffy, the Earl of Radnor.
“Come.”Ian waved from his table.“Join me.”
When Jonathan reached the table, he clasped Ian’s hand and slapped him on the shoulder.Then he sat down at the private table in the corner flanked by two blood red wingback chairs.
After Jonathan ordered bourbon, he gazed back at his longtime drinking buddy.“You haven’t changed a bit.”
