“You don’t know?” he teased. “Why, they are one of the top glove makers in England with Stoke and Martock being one of their most notable manufacturers.”
“And where exactly are you headed by telling me this?” she asked curiously.
“Right here.” He paused before a building with a grand wave of his hand.
Mara looked up and gasped at the various pairs of gloves on display in the window. She had to stop herself from pressing her nose to the glass to get a better look. From kid to lambskin, the shop boasted a variety of colors and designs, from simple lines to extravagantly designed embroidery.
She bit her lip as a particular set of red ones caught her eye.
“Shall we go in?”
Her gaze shot to his. “Don’t be silly.”
He tapped his lip thoughtfully. “You know, that is the second time in less than an hour you’ve said as much. I might start to get offended if it continues.”
She smacked him playfully on the arm. “Don’t be—” she caught herself just in time, but he still gave her a look that caused her to blush. “Arrogant,” she finished with a grin.
“Well, come along then.” He opened the door. Without taking the time to talk herself out of it, she reluctantly walked inside.
“Good day, sir, madam. May I help you?” A gentleman walked over, hands clasped behind his back, prepared to assist them.
“Yes,” Roarke wasted no time in replying. “I am looking for a new pair of riding gloves and of course, anything that my lovely companion would like.”
“Indeed.” The man bowed politely. “If you will follow me, I can show you the various styles we offer, if the lady would like to browse our women’s section.”
“Perfect.” Roarke grinned, but when he would have walked off with the shop assistant, Mara grabbed his coat sleeve.
“What are you doing? I can’t afford any extra expenses right now—”
“I thought we were living in the moment,” he pointed out. “Andyouare not to purchase anything. This is my treat.”
She shook her head. “I can’t allow you to—”
He put a finger over her mouth to silence her, although his eyes were sparkling merrily. “I didn’t ask your permission. Now go have fun. No cost will be spared.” When she opened her mouth again, he lifted a brow. “If you argue, I’ll buy the whole store.”
She snapped her jaw together, sighing as he strode off. Telling herself that there was surely no harm in accepting a small gift like a pair of gloves, she made her way over to the display window…
Roarke smiled at the red gloves that Mara had picked for herself. He wouldn’t have selected that particular shade, but she seemed thrilled with her choice, and that was all that mattered.
He was just glad she finally gave in.
She was certainly a bit more animated after their little shopping excursion, and he’d found, in his experience, that a few fripperies made all the difference in a woman’s mood. And the smile on her face was definitely worth any price.
However, it must have been particularly draining, for not long after they set off, she ended up falling asleep. She’d leaned her head against the side of the carriage, but when her head started to bob forward, Roarke brought her up close to his side and laid her head against his shoulder. She quickly snuggled closer to his warmth and with a rather satisfied grin, he sat back to enjoy the rest of the day in peaceful slumber.
Their next stop brought them to Exeter and The Hotel, formally the Assembly Rooms, where Roarke procured them all rooms for the night. Mr. Edwards, after taking care of the carriage and the horses, would join them for a light supper downstairs in a private dining area.
Roarke left Mara to her own devices while he took the opportunity to walk down the street. Just short of whistling a tune, he had something in store for Mara that was sure to impress.
* * *
Mara had never enjoyed such luxury in her life, and she had to admit that it would be hard to go back to the toil of her former existence. But like Roarke said, it was time to live in the present, so that’s what she intended to do. If nothing else, at least such wonderful memories would go far to sustain her in the long, hard years to come.
A knock at the door had her padding across the hotel room in her bare feet. She’d just taken a restorative bath and hadn’t even had time to put her drying hair up in its usual bun, although she was fully dressed in a plain, blue wool gown.
As she answered the summons, the blonde strands that cascaded to her waist fell over her shoulder. Roarke was standing on the other side, and his sly grin abruptly froze on his face as he stared at her. Self-conscious, she stepped from one foot to the other as the silence grew.
“Yes?” she prompted.
