She huffed an unladylike breath. The duke clearly intended to ignore her edict and call her by whatever name he wished. More insulting, he’d just asked her to help choose a bauble for some unnamed woman, likely his mistress.
Even so, she could not take her gaze from him. He was the most handsome man she’d ever beheld. No wonder woman threw themselves at him. The fact made him completely wrong for her. Annie would never entertain a rogue, let alone marry one.
Completely ridiculous. His Grace had not, nor would he ever, show an interest in her. She must be addlepated. This was all her fault. Had Annie gone to the haberdasher’s and joined her cousins, she would not be in this situation. She glanced toward the door to where her footman stood, then looked back to the duke.
“Your Grace, I fear I would not be the best judge of which piece your lady would prefer.”
“There is only one way to find out.” His smile broadened, and he nodded toward the necklace display. “Shall we?”
Her stomach fluttered and cheeks warmed at the way he gazed at her. She swallowed, hard. “Very well,” Annie said, before moving toward the display. No harm would come from her selecting a necklace. Even if it was for a woman of ill repute. Once she helped the duke, he would disappear from her life. God willing, he would take the strange feelings he elicited in her with him.
Tearing her gaze from his, she forced herself to focus on the necklaces. “Does she have a favorite stone?”
“I am remiss in the fact that I do not know. However, her eyes are the shade of sapphires.”
Annie bit back a sharp reply and moved her attention to the sapphire necklaces. She’d never met a mistress, but heard they enjoyed gaudy jewelry. The sorts of things they could sell in a pinch should they find themselves without a benefactor and low on funds.
Her eye settled on a necklace made of thick gold with a large sapphire at the design’s peak and at least three dozen smaller ones dispersed throughout the design. She pointed at the necklace in the display case. “Perhaps…” her words trailed off as she dashed her finger down two rows. “This one.”
It had occurred to her last minute that his woman may be a widow. Or God help the lady, perhaps she was a debutante, and he was courting her. Either way, the gaudy necklace may not do at all. Regardless, Annie did not care what he gave his paramour. She simply wanted to be done with this.
He stepped closer and peered over her shoulder. The scent of him wrapped around her—bergamot and mint, and something entirely too masculine. Before she could stop herself, she inhaled deeply.
What the devil was wrong with her?
“You have my compliments, Lady Ann. That is the perfect bauble for this particular lady.” The duke’s breath brushed her ear, sending a shiver through her.
The shop door opened before she could process what had happened and her cousins spilled into the small space. “Are you nearly finished, Annie?” Lilli called out, then came to a quick halt. Her gaze went to the duke’s.
Henrietta and Eva stood a few paces behind her, their attention also firmly ensconced on the duke.
Annie forced a bright smile, then moved toward her cousins as if the duke did not exist. “Mr. Farthington should have it ready in a dash.”
Lilli narrowed her gaze on Annie, then turned to the duke and smiled. “Please excuse our rudeness, Your Grace. In our haste, we did not realize that others may be inside the shop.”
“Do not fret over it, Lady Lilliana.” He took her hand and dropped a quick kiss to her knuckles. “It is always a pleasure to cross paths with you.”
“Always the charmer are you not?” A small laugh escaped her.
“Dear me,” he said, placing his hand on his chest and looking innocent. “I would not want to give your companions a poor impression of me.”
“Never that,” Lilli said, her voice teasing. “On that note, allow me to introduce you to my cousins.” Lilli turned to face them. “I am honored to present Miss Henrietta Sutton and Miss Evangelina Payne.” Lilli’s gaze shifted to Annie. “I trust you have already met Lady Annabelle Lindlow?”
The duke nodded his conformation then bowed. “It is an honor, Miss Payne. Miss Sutton.”
Lilli waved her hand toward the duke. “It is my pleasure to introduce the Duke of Rutland.”
Henrietta and Eva dipped into curtsies. “The honor is ours, Your Grace.”
Annie eyed Lilli suspiciously. How did her vivacious cousin know the duke? More importantly, why did Annie care?
Before she could ponder the thoughts, Mr. Farthington emerged from the back room.
“Your Grace, how may I be of service?” Mr. Farthington asked as he pushed his spectacles further up his nose.
The duke leaned on his walking stick. “Please see to the ladies first.”
“Indeed, yes. It will take but a moment, Your Grace.” Mr. Farthington stepped up to the counter. The rose quartz in his weathered hand. “Lady Annabelle, I do trust this meets your expectations.” He said, then held the necklace out for her approval.
