He bent down to retrieve her books. “Is that any way to show your appreciation?”
“I’m not completely convinced you didn’t knock me over on purpose.”
He chuckled. “My means of getting rid of you do not include running you over in the street.”
“Getting rid of me? How macabre. Sounds like something out of a Gothic novel. If you will excuse me, I have an appointment I must get to.”
“At least you are dressed appropriately.”
Jillian’s eyes dropped to her staid brown walking dress and wished she had worn one of her most daring white creations. If she had known she would encounter the duke, she certainly would have. “It’s a shame, your grace. We might have had a pleasant encounter were it not for that remark.” With that she dropped the heavy book she had bargained with the shop owner over directly on top of his foot. His hiss of pain was instantaneous. “Oh dear, that was clumsy of me,” she said innocently.
“You damn vixen, you did that on purpose!” he exclaimed in a voice just below a shout.
“Tsk tsk, is that any way for a man of your station to behave in public?”
“I’ll get you for that,” he vowed, his eyes promising revenge.
“I shall look forward to it,” she said sweetly, as she climbed into her carriage.
“Impudent little minx,” he muttered as she pulled away. Damned if she wasn’t beautiful though. He had nearly made a complete ninny out of himself gawking at her. How could such a beautiful woman be so reprehensible? He shook his head and continued on to the jeweler to have his fob repaired.
When he walked out of the jeweler’s, he saw Case a block ahead entering Pascale’s and hurried to catch up to him, threading his way through the throng of busy shoppers. He entered the brightly lit foyer of the building that was once home to the Princess of Austria. Bought by a wealthy investor, it had been turned into a lucrative enterprise. Thetongathered here on a daily basis to be seen and to eat the now famous dishes prepared by a chef who was reportedly hired away from King George the Third’s kitchen.
No expense had been spared in the lavish decoration of the rooms. Priceless paintings adorned the walls and candelabras, reportedly made of pure gold, stood in every corner. Huge crystal chandeliers imported from France were suspended from the ceilings. The tables were a rich mahogany, the chairs ornately hand carved by a master craftsman. The rugs that decorated the floors were shipped in from Persia and the plants and greenery that adorned the rooms were grown in a huge greenhouse just outside of London, built specifically to provide decoration for Pascale’s.
The proprietor greeted Justin enthusiastically and offered to seat him immediately.
“I was looking for my brother. I believe he just arrived a few minutes ago.”
“Ah yes, Lord Case is dining at one of our window tables, may I show you the way?”
Justin declined, opting to go in unescorted. He saw Case seated at an elegant table overlooking Hanover Square. Case looked up as he approached and smiled welcomingly. “Hullo, Justin, I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
“I wasn’t expecting to be here, but I saw you walk in, so I decided to come in to see you.”
“Sit down,” Case invited. “Would you like to eat?”
“Are you eating alone?” he asked as he took a seat.
“Indeed he isn’t.” A now familiar voice came from behind him.
Both men rose as Jillian made her way to a seat between them. Justin’s eyes rolled heavenward.
“Well, your grace, you and I seemed to have developed a nasty habit of bumping in to one another of late,” Jillian drawled.
“Don’t tell me, you are the one Case is meeting for lunch,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I am sure there is a lovely story behind all of this animosity,” Case cut in, “and I would love to hear all about it, but can we eat please?”
“Oh, I am sure his grace has other plans,” Jillian said, somewhat hopefully.
“I would love to join you,” Justin smoothly interjected, knowing full well that she wanted him to decline.
She glared at him as they sat down.
Case surveyed the two with growing amusement and interest. Lunch could prove to be entertaining today.
They ate in silence, Justin looking smug and Jillian looking as if she had swallowed a lemon. Case could barely suppress a chuckle. The tension was hanging over the table like a dark cloud. “So what did you buy at the bookstore, Jillian?” he asked brightly, in an attempt to lessen the tense atmosphere.
