“All right.”She bit back a smile at his shocked expression.“You said to let you take care of me.”
“Yes, but I didn’t think you would actually do it.”He stood, grabbed a potato off his plate, and stuffed it in his mouth.“Go get your things, and I will find one of the lads.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The market atthe Garden was always a crush on Sundays.But she was strangely relaxed as she meandered next to Matthew.He walked confidently through the crowd with her son’s hand firmly grasped in his.She had grabbed her shopping basket from the house, but it was still empty.Every place Matthew had purchased goods from, he had simply had them delivered.He knew everyone by name, and the vendors always replied, “Of course, Mr.Reeves.It’ll be delivered today.”
Robert pointed to a stall that had a myriad of birds in cages.These were not the kind one ate for dinner; no, these had colorful plumage and curved beaks of bright yellow.There was also a pair of lovebirds, dove gray, sitting next to one another on the little swing in their cage.Matthew picked Robert up in his arms so he could see better.
“Any juicy tips in your box this morning?”Matthew asked her.
“Yes, but you’ll have to read Tuesday’s edition to find out what they were,” she teased.
“Look at the green one!Its hair is so tall.”Robert pointed.
“Those are his feathers, darling.That’s how they grow so long.”She looked up at Matthew.“There was one unusual note in the box.A request to dine at the Marchioness of Rollinsford’s home on Wednesday evening.”
Matthew glanced over at her.“Your grandmother invited you to dine?Why is that strange?”
“Well, for one thing, I haven’t spoken to her in six years.”
“Oh.Will you go?”
“I don’t know.I admit I am curious as to why she has summoned me.”They moved past the birds and down the aisle to a large vegetable stand.She picked up a shiny green apple and handed it to Robert.Matthew tossed a coin to the vendor.“Perhaps you would accompany me?It didn’t say I couldn’t bring a guest.”She bit her bottom lip and waited for him to laugh.These were the type of people he actively avoided.
Matthew set Robert down on his feet but kept his hand in a firm grasp.He stepped close and cupped her cheek.“Of course, if that’s what you wish.”
“Thank you.”She turned her head and kissed his palm.Then they walked on.“I truly can’t fathom why she is reaching out.Or why I am even considering going.She summarily cut me out of her life.Just as she had cut out my mother.”Elizabeth frowned.
“Why are you accepting her invitation?”Matthew asked.
“Curiosity, I suppose.I can’t help myself.Even if it is terrible, the dinner party could provide some good fodder for the gossip column.Nigel is going to faint when he hears.”
Matthew reached out and grabbed the collar of a boy of about eleven who’d slipped between her and the candle stand.“Oy, just what do you think you’re doing, lad?”
The boy struggled against his strong grip until Matthew brought them face-to-face.Then the boy froze.“S-sorry.Mr.Reeves.I didna know it was you.I swear.”His dirty hair was covered by a threadbare cap, and his brown eyes were wide as saucers.
“Give the lady back her watch,” Matthew ordered.
“Surely.Of course.”He pulled her watch from the inner pocket of his jacket and, hand trembling, held it out.
“Oh, my goodness.”She snatched it from the boy’s grubby hand.“That was my father’s watch.”
“I’m sorry.Mr.Reeves, I didna know she was with you.Please don’t tell Seaton.”The boy’s eyes shined with fear.
“It’s all right.Just be more careful.Remember to watch for the fine ladies.They can afford to replace.Stick to the ones who have servants following them around.Those types make the best targets.”He let go of the boy’s collar, and the lad disappeared, weaving through the crowd.
Elizabeth pinned her watch back at her waist.“He didn’t even break the clasp,” she muttered.
“Sorry about that.These boys work the market.It’s how they earn money to eat,” Matthew said.
“How did you even know he had snatched my watch?”
He shrugged.“I’m familiar with the technique and the watch is the only thing on you of value.”
“What about my coin purse?”
Matthew pulled her embroidered purse from the inside of his jacket.“I took it for safekeeping while we are in the market.I was going to give back.”
