Jason shut the book, filing away this bit of information. “This book is written in Dutch,” he said. “Which I cannot read. How long will she meet with this person?”
“With Mr. Hooke? They will meet for hours. At least.”
“Why?”
“He is the owner of Everland Travel.”
“This manowns the shop?”
A nod. “He inherited it from his parents. Most of the year, he lives in Shropshire and Isobel manages the business. When he travels to London, he must be included. And validated.” Another frown. “He mustbask.”
Jason made a grunting noise. “Bask?”
The clerk inclined her head, indicating the ongoing conversation in the center of the room.
“I see you’ve worn the dress I enjoy so very much,” Hooke was telling Miss Tinker, his voice a singsong.
Irritation flared and Jason stifled the urge to join the conversation. His skin buzzed with the familiar, jumpy energy that tormented him whenever he was forced to sit idly by and wait. He reached into his pocket for a coin and flicked it into the air. He caught it, spun it in his palm, and flicked it again.
“Was this a favorite?” Miss Tinker asked her employer.
“But you’ve not worn the pinafores, I see,” said Hooke.
“Oh yes, the pinafores,” hedged Miss Tinker. “I’ll need to call to the seamstress’s. There was some issue with the embroidery, I believe.”
“Oh, the embroidery must be perfect,” said Hooke.“Please remember, the tailor in my village can do up the confections I have in mind—”
“Do not trouble yourself, Mr. Hooke,” soothed Miss Tinker. “We shall have them for next time...”
Jason caught the coin and whispered to Samantha, “Pinafores?”
“He wishes for us to wear ruffled yellow aprons with the words ‘Hooke’s Everland Travel Lass’ embroidered on the bib.”
“No.”
The girl nodded. Jason made a coughing noise and flicked the coin again.
“I was surprised,” Hooke was saying, “to see you’ve notclosedthe shop for our meeting. We’ve so much to discuss. Ideas and directives. Money-saving measures...”
Now the man looked pointedly to the desk by the window. Jason stared back, flicking his coin into the air.
Miss Tinker rushed to say, “Oh, this gentleman was just on his way out.” She shot Jason a pleading look.
“A drop-in client, I assume?” Drummond Hooke said, studying Jason.
“Indeed,” said Miss Tinker.
“How often,” Drummond Hooke now asked, “do lone gentlemen come to us without wives or sisters in tow?” He puffed up, inhaling deeply. “I cannot say it’s—”
“Oh, very rarely,” assured Miss Tinker. “In fact, I cannot remember the last time we’ve served a gentleman without his family. The ladies wish to be involved in each step of the planning. Anticipation is part of the holiday.”
She rushed to appease him, signaling to the clerk. “Samantha, perhaps if you bundled up the guidebooks for—”
Enough.
Jason flicked the coin once more and caught it. He shoved up and crossed to the younger man.
“Northumberland,” he said, giving a slight bow. “TheDukeof Northumberland. How do you do?”
