“One is allowed to visit more than one person per excursion, Your Grace.” She smiled and gestured to the woman behind her, who appeared to be in her early thirties. “I required a lady’smaid today, and luckily, Miss Lucas was available. I am afraid I can’t stay long. In fact, I was about to visit the modiste for a new dress.”
“Let me come with you. I believe Miss Lucas can act as a chaperone.”
Joanna nodded. “Certainly. As long as it’s all right with you, Father?”
The man smiled and waved them along. “Yes, of course. Have fun, both of you. It was a pleasure to see you again, Your Grace.” He bowed to the duke before leaving the room.
Evan turned his gaze to Joanna and smiled. “Shall we?”
CHAPTER 14
Joanna felt a little breathless as the duke escorted her out of her house, with Mary Lucas trailing behind. She hadn’t expected to see him so soon, and now everything felt like it was moving very fast. She was officially entering society again and on the arm of a duke, no less. It felt surreal.
“It’s quite fortunate that I was able to see you today,” she said as they got into the duke’s carriage. “Mrs. Lucas was only able to spare her daughter because I assured her that Mary would be well compensated as my lady’s maid. She is only working part-time, of course. But, well, I do need one to act as chaperone at least. She will also be helpful for getting me ready for balls.” Once all of them were inside the carriage, it started to move down the London street.
She was nervous. She didn’t feel comfortable asking him to pay for things even though he already said he would sponsor her this Season. Sure, she was used to accepting luxuries from Penelope, but that was her friend offering gifts, not Joanna asking for them.
Luckily, Evan understood what she was saying. “I told you I would sponsor you, and I intend to keep my word. I will be happy to pay for you to have afull-timelady’s maid.”
Her mouth hung open as she gawked at him, speechless. She hadn’t expected that.
He smirked. “It seems you are at a loss for words, Miss Thorne. I didn’t know that was possible.”
“I assure you, it is not necessary for me to have a lady’s maid full time,” she said. “I hardly leave the house as it is, and I am quite capable of dressing myself.”
“You will be leaving the house much more often once we are officially courting,” he said. “It will not be long before invitations start arriving at your doorstep, sent by every nosy busybody in theton, wondering how, exactly, you caught the eye of a duke.”
Joanna giggled at his description, but she could not deny it. That did seem like something that would happen. “I still don’t see why I can’t dress myself.”
“Because a maid will help you, and I am happy to pay for one to work full time for you. Let me do this, Miss Thorne. I need to hold up my end of the bargain, and I don’t do anything halfway.”
She was sure that was true. Employing Jane full time would be helpful, especially if she did get invited to a million different events, like Evan predicted. Getting invited to tea and parties,just to be gawked at like a strange novelty, was not her idea of a good time. But she would still accept those invitations, if only to help her sister ease into society during the next Season.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said. “Your help is much appreciated.”
“All I ask is you stop getting flustered when I pay for your expenses,” he said, arching an eyebrow. “We already made a deal. Don’t act surprised when I keep my word.”
The carriage pulled to a stop, and the driver opened the door for them. Joanna looked at the elegant modiste shop in front of her. It was one of the best modistes in London. She never would have been able to shop here, even before her family lost its fortune.
“I will be with you two shortly,” Evan said as they got out of the carriage. “I have a small business matter to attend to in the bank across the street first.”
She nodded. “Of course, Your Grace.” She felt a little lost when he left, wondering if she should wait until he returned before she entered the shop.Don’t be silly. Women usually shop for dresses without men present. It should not matter just because he’s paying.
Joanna squared her shoulders and took a deep breath before entering the modiste. The seamstress was busy behind the front desk, writing notes on a piece of paper. The store didn’t have any customers, and Joanna looked around at all the bolts of fine fabric, all in the trendiest colors and patterns for the Season.
The woman looked up at Joanna, looked at her dress, and rolled her eyes before looking at her notes again. Joanna frowned and looked down at the afternoon dress she was wearing. She had gotten it from Penelope last year. It wasn’t her best dress, especially because it was a couple of years out of season, but it certainly wasn’t her worst either.
“Good afternoon, ma’am,” Joanna told the shopkeeper. “When you get a moment, I require your assistance. I would like a ball gown.”
“I am very busy, miss,” the woman said. “But perhaps I can make time. Can you tell me your name?”
“Miss Thorne.”
The woman’s head snapped up. “Did you say Thorne?” She gave Joanna an incredulous look. “Your father is the Viscount of Folly?”
She felt her cheeks flush bright red. “I-I suppose so.” She avoided reading the scandal sheets when she could because she dreaded seeing her father’s name mentioned. She didn’t know this was their nickname for him, but she supposed it made sense.
“We don’t want your business,” she said, her lip curling in disgust. “Do you think we work for free? We are a respectable establishment, and unlike your father, we must pay our expenses on time. You expect us to make you a dress when you can’t pay for it?”
