Robert’s head flew up. “Not anything,” he quickly added. The store owner seemed decent, but his wife’s person was not on the table in any way, shape, or form.
“Oh, goodness.” Louisa sighed, throwing her face in her hands. “This is utterly ridiculous. You are a duke, and we cannot even find a way to get home!”
“A duke?” The shop owner’s head snapped up. “You be pullin’ my leg.”
“Yes, she is.” Robert gave Louisa a warning glance. “But I can assure you your hospitality will not go unrecognized. You will be paid handsomely if you only appease us and allow us to sell you something.”
The owner narrowed an eye, placing the glass object down. “Still doesn’t feel right. But I suppose we could make some sort of a deal.”
“Thank you,” Robert said with a sigh. “Could we please trade for a lesser pair of boots and a small bit of funds?”
“I will take the lady’s boots,” the owner said, nodding toward the half-boot Louisa had plopped unceremoniously onto the counter. “I can give you five shillings for them.”
Five shillings was an abomination compared to their actual worth, but they did not have the luxury of haggling, nor was Robert in the mood. “Fine,” he bit out. “Five shillings, and she gets another pair to wear home.”
Louisa slipped her other boot off, handing it over as the owner walked across the room. He came back with a pair of woman’s slippers. “These are all I got that will fit the lady. Her feet are a bit large compared to what I have in stock.”
“Excuse me,” Louisa said with a sharp inhale.
“The shoes don’t lie. Try ‘em on.” He pushed the shoes across the counter to her.
Louisa huffed again, sliding her foot into the slipper.
A perfect fit.
She turned her foot in the air as she examined them. “They will get me home.”
Robert snatched the five shillings the owner slapped onto the counter and slipped them into his pocket. “Thank you and have a nice day.” Robert put his hand to Louisa’s back and pushed her toward the door before she could start a fight over the shopkeeper’s comment about the size of her feet. She had fire in her eyes, and Robert didn’t want to lose the funds they were barely able to obtain in the first place. Nor did he want another brawl on his hands.
As the door clicked shut behind them, Louisa huffed a breath. “Can you believe that man? Saying my feet are large? How incredibly rude.”
“Perhaps others have thought it but said nothing because of your station.” Robert couldn’t help the grin he felt spreading across his face.
“Let us forget it and focus on finding a way home. I see the hackney driver just over there.”
They rushed over, the sun barely cresting the roofs of the buildings lining the road. As they approached the hackney cab, the coachman wrinkled his nose upon seeing them.
“I ain’t givin’ you a free ride,” he yelled out.
Robert reached into his pocket. “Have no fear. We have funds.” He jingled the coins in his hand.
The coachman’s head perked up, staring at Robert’s fisted hand. “And how’d you get money so quick?”
What were these men? Spies for Prinn? “We sold my wife’s shoes,” he said. “We have plenty to get us home.”
“Well, I will take you as far as Barton Street but I won’t go any further.”
“And why not?” Robert clenched his teeth, fisting the coins tighter. This was the nightmare that wouldn’t end.
“Long story short, I ain’t got the time. And seein’ as how I dunno why you want to go to that part of town, I am a bit skeptical. Not to mention your quick acquisition of funds. Seems leery. But I will take you as far as Barton Street. You should be able to get where you need to go from there.”
“It’s the best we are going to get, Robert. I say let’s take it.” Louisa looked up at him.
If it were just him, he wouldn’t worry so much. But the sun was quickly setting, and he needed to get her safely home. Without the protection of his title and funds, it was proving difficult.
“Very well.” He tossed a coin to the driver, helping Louisa up inside of the haggard carriage. Upon entering, an unpleasant odor attacked their noses.
“What is that?” Louisa pointed to a dark spot on one of the benches.
