Downstairs, she accepted her pelisse from Gordon, their butler, as he opened the door. “Shall I give the countess a message, my lady?”
“Mama is aware we are going,” Bella said. “But yes, please tell her I wanted to get an early start and did not wish to interrupt her company.” Bella found herself fidgety when she was made to sit with some of her mother’s company. The conversations were always dull—mostly about flowers or who recently married and who they were related to, to the point of nausea. If the guest was a closer friend of her mother’s, it might be about the latest scandal that had hit the tabloids, admittedly something more interesting. Bella was not willing to risk her morning.
“Very good, my lady,” Gordon said, sketching a small bow and closing the door behind the two girls.
Bella and Mary hurried down the steps to the waiting carriage.
It was almost December, and part of the reason Bella had come to town was to purchase something special for her mother and father. They frowned on excessive spending, but never minded the small gifts she found for Christmastide. Mama had begun to play the pianoforte more and more lately, and Bella thought some sheet music would be nice. With that in mind, she opened the door to the corner bookstore and walked in. A bell rang as the door closed behind the two ladies.
“Have you acquired any sheet music, Mr. Greene? Mama has begun to play the pianoforte again and enjoys it. I thought a marvelous piece of music would be a delightful addition to her collection.” Spying a small leather-bound copy ofPride and Prejudice, she scooped it up, handing it to Mr. Greene to wrap it up before Mary could see it. “This looks like a perfect book to add to my collection,” she said, giving an exaggerated wink at the bookstore proprietor. Mr. Greene smiled and nodded, accustomed to the antics and friendliness of Lady Bella and her maid.
“I think I have just the piece! Right this way, Lady Bella,” he said, leading her to the back row of the store. “I just received this score a week ago. It is by Mr. Beethoven. Your mother will surely enjoy playing it. His pieces never stay in here for long, and with the holidays upon us, I am certain this will be purchased quickly.”
Bella scanned the parchment. The musical arrangement looked glorious, but she would have to wait until after she gifted it to Mama before she played it herself. It was important to keep the surprise.
The doorbell jangled and Mr. Greene returned to the front, leaving her to browse the back shelves. Bella could not resist and pushed some books out of the way, clearing a small path to see the unknown visitor. He was tall with dark hair to his shoulders, and even though she was certain he could not see her, it appeared as if his brown eyes beheld her in their gaze.Surely not,she told herself. She looked behind her and caught Mary with her appreciative grin pasted on her face. “Mary!” she whispered. “Look away.”
“Nay! He’s a fine-looking one, milady.” Her voice grew sad. “’Tis a sad situation about his father, the duke.”
Bella shuddered, recalling the horrific coaching accident her parents had described to her. The Duke of Newcastle had perished in the accident and his son, the Marquess of Hertford, had been badly injured. “Thatis Slade?” Bella knew she should not address him such, but Slade and his family had country homes here in Dover that were close. She looked down to hide her blush as she realized he was looking at her.
“Ahem.”
A man’s voice sounded from behind her, and she whirled to see Slade . . . Lord Drake smiling at her. She noticed the black band on his arm and was reminded of his family’s mourning.
“I thought it was you, Lady Bella,” he said, sketching a bow. “Are you here to buy those gothic novels Tabetha enjoys?”
Caught! Drat. “I may get such a novel, my lord,” Bella said sweetly. “I thought I recognized you when you entered. My condolences to your family, my lord. ’Tis terrible circumstances that made you return, but ’tis nice to see you in Dover.”
His look turned somber. “You as well, Lady Bella. Please send my greetings to your brother Percy. How is he doing these days?”
“Percy is to be married on the Twelfth Night to Lady Emmeline Rogers,” Bella replied, excitedly giving her brother’s good news. “You should call on him.”
“I do not believe I recall Lady Emmeline Rogers. Is she from Dover?” he asked.
“She is from Sussex. Percy met her in London in the early spring,” she replied. “We all adore her. She seems nothing but laughter and sunshine.”
“We cannot have too much of that. I am eager to meet this fabulous lady that will become your sister,” Slade responded, grinning.
He looked around, seemingly unfamiliar with where the books were in the bookstore. “Can I help you find something, Lord Drake?”
“Actually, yes. I am trying to locate a flower book for my mother. I thought it could cheer her up. And if you point me to one of the latest gothic romances, I should pick it up for Tabetha.”
Bella laughed. “Your sister would love that!” She inclined her head. “Here are the gardening books. There may be several books to consider for your mother.” She showed the section of books in front of her, startled that she had chosen that very row to watch him from. “The novel you seek for Tabetha is two rows up. Please tell her I asked about her and I should like to call on her soon if she is up to having visitors.”
She gazed up at him.He is so handsome. Lord Slade Drake had always been handsome in her eyes, but time had magnified his appeal. While he wore his hair longer than the current style, she loved the delicious way the dark wavy curls hit his shoulder. He had not bothered to put it into a que. Slade had always marched to the beat of his own drummer. It was one of his many attractive qualities, even though she had no illusions he had ever noticed her.
Percy had attended Eton with Slade. The two of them became good friends. Over time, their families had occasionally spent time together.
Bella had maintained a friendship with Tabetha, his younger sister. She would need to find a reason to call on Tabetha.She had met no one this Season who could compete with Slade and wished it to end soon. But now . . .
Mary walked up from behind her before she was ready to leave.
“I suppose we should go,” she said begrudgingly.
“I have to be on my way as well,” Slade said. “May I escort you to the front?”
Slade stepped backand silently watched Lady Bella Stewart and her maid exit the bookstore, each carrying a small brown wrapped package under their arms. The bell on the door jingled behind them. She had grown into a beautiful young woman. Bella and his sister, Tabetha, had been friends for years. He had often seen her while growing up, as he and Percy would frequently alternate the smaller school holidays at each other’s properties. She was no longer all bones. Slade did not fail to notice the curves her body had gained. With her pink gown, her dark brown hair, and her violet eyes, she looked perfect. He wondered how she had escaped the Season without becoming betrothed. Perhaps it was his good fortune.
