She blushed again. “I am not used to flattery, my lord. I do not know what I should say. Miss Covington said that vanity was a sin.”
“Well, Miss Covington has not seen you in this dress, has she? And you should simply say thank you to compliments.”
“Even if the person saying it is not genuine?”
Did she doubt her own prettiness? “I assure you my compliment was sincere.”
“Marianne told me that men will say anything to get what they want. False flattery being quite common. They hope to woo a woman with poetry about one’s beauty or send notes of undying love after meeting only once. How am I to know who is genuine and who is not?”
“To some extent that is true, but must you lump us all together? That would be unfair. I think you will know a sincere gesture once you hear it. In any case, I will be there to guide you, I promise.”
She lifted a brow. “You should not make promises you cannot keep, my lord.”
“Ah, I deserved that. In my defense, I had no idea things would turn so quickly, and I do apologize for not holding up my end of the bargain.”
“That makes apology number three. For my part, I acted like a scared rabbit scurrying away at the first sign of the farmer. I am usually braver than that.”
“You are remarkable, Miss Sterling. To have survived Beckett’s hasty retrieval of your person in such a manner and not to have screamed the house down or fallen into fits of tears and nerves I will never know. For that you have my admiration.”
“I will use your advice and simply say, thank you.”
He tried to see her face, but he could not see her full expression around her new bonnet. “Excellent.” Tony held the door open and ushered her inside the small shop. His mother and Marianne had already gathered around the various displays of small cakes, jams, macaroons, sweetmeats, and syrups.
Miss Sterling looked around her in wonder. This was likely her first venture into a confectioner. He wanted to make it special for her. “I can recommend the lemon drops.”
She looked at him in surprise.
“Did you think we would come in here simply to look at the displays? You must buy a box of something. You can go and sample some of their wares at the counter. Off you go.” He gave her a friendly push. It was not long before she was giggling with Marianne, where they were eagerly pointing at what they wanted to try.
“She’s a bright girl,” his mother said beside him.
“Yes, she is. How do you think she will go once in the marriage mart?”
“I have no doubt she will be a success. She does not have the same luxury as Marianne; she will have to marry fast. Once word gets around that she has a dowry all the worms will make their way out of the woodwork.”
“That is what I am afraid of. How will we handle things about her dowry? She must have some but not too much. I shall have toget in touch with her solicitor but in the meantime let us try not to speak of it at all.”
“I agree. She is naïve in so many ways despite her so-called education. Finishing schools are not for daughters of the ton. That is why we educate them at home; there is no substitute for experience. She may know how to add up the household accounts, but does she know how to plan a dinner party? A luncheon? A ball?”
“I will have to depend on you for that. I still think it was a mistake for Markham to leave her with me. However, I am grateful for your help, Mama.”
“We have had a rough start, but Marianne is very much taken with her, which is a good sign. I am worried though.”
“About what?”
“One does not go through such a traumatic experience and simply wave it off. It is not healthy, my dear boy, not healthy at all.”
“I will keep an eye on her, but she is more likely to talk to Marianne than either of us. Let us hope she does so soon. Now what sweets would you like?”
“Oh!” Tony’s mother clapped her hands and hurried over to the two girls.
He watched them with amusement. He was not a sweet tooth himself, but he did not mind a well-made pastry now and again. The carriage arrived out the front of the store and he managed to usher them back in without too much delay. Overall, it had not been that bad of a day. He had made his final report and managed to keep three women happy. Not a bad day at all.
The duke was not at home when they returned, so he left Miss Sterling with his mother and sister to unpack all her new purchases. He went to his study, where he had a desk set up, and wrote down some notes in code. He wrote to his friend Bellamy, who was currently rusticating with his wife and his newborn son,Henry, in the country. He did not expect to see them in London this year but promised to come out and stay once the season was over and Miss Sterling had caught herself a husband.
Chapter Six
Aweek wentpast in a blur of shopping and dress fittings. Lord Anthony did not accompany them everywhere, but when he was able, he made sure he was there. She had grown somewhat used to his teasing, though it was mostly directed at his sister. She saw the duke only occasionally, usually at breakfast, but he did not speak much. Not that he could have gotten a word in even if he tried. Tony had been right about his mother; she really did like to talk.
