“I’ll step on your toes.”
“I can stand it.”
“I might trip you.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“Where will we meet for this dance?” He couldn’t possibly be serious.
“Meet me here. At midnight.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
True to his word, Cade was not only ready to go shopping at one o’clock the next day, he was standing in the foyer dressed in buckskin breeches, a gray waistcoat and a green overcoat with a white shirt and cravat, and black top boots. The man not only looked perfect for shopping, but far too good overall. Mary stammered and blushed the entire time he escorted them to the carriage and handed each of them in as if they were fine ladies.
“It was kind of Lady Daphne to give us this time and allow us to use the coach,” Danielle murmured as she accepted Cade’s hand, stepped up into the coach, and sat on the velvety emerald seat next to Mary.
“Lady Daphne’s far too good to us,” Mary agreed.
“Nonsense.” Cade hoisted himself into the conveyance and took a seat across from them. “She agreed solely to get me out of the house.”
“Is that how you managed to convince her?” Danielle shook her head and smiled at his outrageousness.
“She’s warned me away from you,” Cade replied. “But I convinced her I am merely being chivalrous. Couldn’t I stand to be more chivalrous? Besides, I suspect she doesn’t think I could do anything too untoward with Miss Hartfield accompanying us.”
The coach took off at a brisk pace toward Bond Street, the three of them laughing inside. It soon became apparent that Mary would not be happy with only one perfumery. She wanted to visit every shop to ensure she sniffed all of her possible choices.
“I’ll just pop into this one by meself,” she said when they pulled to a stop in front of the fourth shop. “I can tell you’re vexed with me.”
“Not at all,” Danielle replied. “I want to ensure you find the perfect scent.”
“Be that as it may,” Cade interjected. “I’m certain Miss Hartfield can spare us for the span of one small outing.”
Danielle flared her eyes at him but said nothing. Truthfully, she was weary of smelling perfumes and her feet were aching. She wasn’t used to tripping around for so long in dainty slippers. Boots were much more comfortable. Even more enticing, however, was the thought of speaking to Cade alone.
The groom let down the steps and helped Mary alight. After ensuring that the groom would escort Mary into the shop, Cade promptly and unabashedly pulled the coach door shut.
“Miss Hartfield is no longer with us,” Danielle said. “Does that mean you’ll stop being chivalrous?”
“If you’re lucky,” Cade replied with a grin. “Do you think she’ll find the perfect scent in there?”
“Absolutely not.” Danielle fiddled with the strings to her reticule. Now that they were alone, she was far too aware of his soap-like scent and his proximity.
“Neither do I.”
“It was much easier for me. Mygrandmerechose my perfume for me when I was a girl.”
He lounged back in his seat. “What were you like as a girl?”
Nowthatwas an unexpected question. She continued to trace the reticule strings with her fingers as she contemplated it. “I suppose I was inquisitive, impatient.”
“And?” he prompted.
“Always studying languages, devoted to my parents, desperate for a sibling. A little too apt to try something first before thinking about it.”
He laughed at that.
“What were you like… as a boy?” she asked tentatively, finding that she was truly interested in the answer and it had nothing to do with her mission.
