“Ah, wonderful.” Jonathan rose. “I’m famished.”
Elliot merely laughed.
They entered the grand dining hall to find a large, mahogany table filled with silver platters. In the center of the room, a strawberry-blonde woman stood speaking with a footman. She turned at their arrival and bestowed a pleasant smile on them both. To look at Lady Marwood, one wouldn’t have guessed that she was dealing with a grumpy baby, or that she had even given birth nearly six months previous. She still retained her slim waist and the delicate, porcelain features of a gently bred Englishwoman.
She walked forward and held her hands out to Jonathan. “Oh, it is so good to see you again! When Elliot told me you were going to be here for a visit, I daresay you could have knocked me over with a feather! I never thought you would venture so far from London.”
Jonathan shrugged. “I fear I was bamboozled.”
She grinned. “That sounds like an intriguing story.”
“Indeed.” Jonathan returned. He shoved his hands in his pockets, only to feel a slight slip of material. He withdrew the handkerchief he’d received from the fortune teller on the road. For a moment, he frowned at the strange symbol embroidered in gold thread, again feeling that strange pull.
“What’s that?” Elliot asked.
“Nothing,” Jonathan said, tucking the square of cloth back out of sight.
***
FANNY WAS AT THE MARKETbright and early the next morning. Thankfully, the incessant rain had lessened, and while the sky overhead was still gray and cloudy, at least there was nothing to cause slow travel on the way home. Unlike yesterday, when she was a muddy mess by the time she rolled into the yard. Her mother had shaken her head, while Agnes had smirked at the sludge coating Fanny’s boots and most of her hem.
It hadn’t escaped Fanny’s notice that her younger sister had miraculously recovered from her “ailment.” Fanny could only lament the fact that Lilah was currently in Devonshire visiting their aunt and uncle, for she wouldn’t have left Fanny to fend for herself.
However, their mother must have taken note as well, for Agnes was forced to join Fanny in the market for a second day in a row.
Not that it made it any better for Fanny, for Agnes merely took her frustrations out on her. “I just know that my feet will be aching in an hour!” she whined. “We probably won’t sell one squash. All this work will be for naught. I don’t knowwhyyou insist on growing that infernal garden.”
“You know why,” Fanny finally snapped. “Perhaps you might consider being a bit more charitable when it comes to helping out Mama and Papa.” She took a deep breath after her tirade and reminded herself, yet again, that she loved her sister dearly and that she should be grateful to spend this time with her.
Thankfully, Agnes ceased her grumbling as a customer paused before their booth. After that, sales were steady until well into the morning. Around noon, Agnes turned to Fanny with a pout, “I’m hungry.” Fanny opened her mouth to reply, but Agnes cut her off before she had the chance. “And no, I can’t wait any longer.”
“Very well,” Fanny removed her apron and tossed it down in annoyance. “I’ll grab something from the bakery.” She pointed at finger at her sister in warning. “But if any customers stop by, please try to be accommodating until I return.”
“I shall endeavor to be the object of politeness.” Agnes batted her lashes sweetly.
Fanny rolled her eyes at her sister’s dramatics, but she took her leave.
The bakery was rather crowded, so Fanny had to wait longer than normal. After she gathered her items, she rushed to get back to the cart, worried that Agnes might have gotten herself into some sort of havoc in her absence.
A movement in the corner of her eye abruptly caught her attention, and she looked away from the path. Her heel twisted on a stay stone and she pitched forward. The package she was carrying flew out of her grasp as she landed with a splat on the soggy ground — effectively showering mud on the pristine black boots before her.
A long-suffering, masculine sigh fell on her ears before she was offered a hand. “And to think I just had those shined this morning.”
Her face instantly heated with embarrassment as she ignored his offering and scrambled to her feet on her own. “I’m...terribly sorry, sir...” she stammered, only to find her apology fade away when she glanced up at his face. Her jaw went slack. Before her stood the most handsome man she’d ever seen. While he might have been even more attractive with a smile instead of that particularly sour expression, he was still rather appealing with his striking, green eyes and a wealth of dark hair visible beneath his hat.
“I’m sure you are,” he drawled as he turned away, effectively dismissing her.
Fanny gasped in indignation, his temporary attractiveness fading away. For a gentleman, he was sadly lacking in manners.
She brushed off the worst of the mud from her frock, retrieved her purchase from the ground, and practically shoved it at a gaping Agnes as she walked over to the cart. In her frustration, Fanny grabbed the first thing her hand came in contact with and turned back to the stranger with the sole purpose of sending him on his way. “Can I interest you in a...” She glanced down at the item in her hand and groaned inwardly, although she kept a perfectly neutral expression on her face when she said, “Rhubarb?”
His lips twitched. “No, thank you.” To her surprise, he extended a white square of linen to her. “You have a little...” He touched his chin.
Fanny mirrored his actions and was further mortified when her fingers touched a glob of mud. Face flaming, she nearly snatched the handkerchief from him and wiped her face. She was about to hand the soiled linen back to him when she glanced down and noticed a strange pattern embroidered in gold thread. “What an unusual design,” she murmured, tracing the symbol with her fingertip.
“Indeed.” Instantly, it was removed from her grasp and tucked out of sight.
She frowned at his curious response, but she had no time to remark upon it as another voice entered the conversation. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized the stranger wasn’t alone.
