“No. I was called away on some family business.”
“Nothing serious, I hope?” Casper said, frowning.
Anthony gave his friend a quick account of all that had happened in the last few days while his friend’s frown deepened in response to every word. “I’m so sorry to hear it,” he said once Anthony had finished. “How is your mother taking it?”
“As one would expect—she’s devastated.”
Casper nodded. “Perhaps it will be good for her to get to London and attend some social functions. The ball she hosted livened her spirits.”
“I think you may be right. It’s just ...”
“Are you still chasing that Chilcott chit?” There was a look of amusement in Casper’s eyes that Anthony didn’t much appreciate. And then his friend said the one thing that Anthony couldn’t dispute. “Good God, Anthony—you’re completely besotted by her.”
“Well ... I ...”
Casper barked a laugh. “You, of all people—a notorious rake! Well I’ll be.”
“A reformed rake,” Anthony muttered, crossing his arms and standing his ground.
“I hear they make the best of husbands,” Casper said. He was smiling so broadly that Anthony could see all his teeth. “And you’re a duke, to boot. What an excellent catch for her.”
“Perhaps you’d like to tellherthat,” Anthony grumbled. He and Casper had known each other since they were lads, so since they’d already embarked on this subject, Anthony saw no point in holding back.
Casper’s face grew serious once again. He stared back at his friend in disbelief. “She won’t have you?”
“Apparently she has some duty toward Mr. Roberts, and with me having been away for three days without giving her any hint of where I went and why, I’m inclined to assume the worst.” He nodded toward the door to the modiste’s. “They’re in there together right now.”
Understanding dawned on Casper’s face. “You were going to happen upon themaccidentally,weren’t you?”
Anthony shrugged. “Perhaps.”
“Come on then,” Casper said. “I’ll help you out.”
“You will do no such—” But his friend stepped past him, opened the door and entered the shop before Anthony had a chance to finish his sentence. With a deep breath, he followed him inside, keeping close to the exit while he surveyed the space.
There were bundles of fabric everywhere, in all possible colors and nuances. Anthony had never seen anything like it, for he had all his clothes made in London. The tailor came to him, he’d select the fabric based on swatches and that would be the end of it. This ... it was overwhelming.
Following Casper, he ventured further inside the shop, his hand deliberately reaching out to touch a shimmery blue silk that slipped between his fingers like water, and an image of Isabella dressed in the fabric, of his hands running over her body and of ... The sound of her voice coming from the far corner of the room snapped him out of his reverie. “What about the lilac muslin over there?” she asked.
“Too dull,” came Mr. Roberts’s voice. “You need something more vibrant, like that amaranthine velvet, for instance.”
Did he just sigh?Anthony met Casper’s gaze, and, judging by his attempt to restrain his laughter, Anthony knew that yes, Mr. Roberts had just sighed over a fabric. What the hell was wrong with him?
“The purple one?” Miss Chilcott asked, her voice sounding not the least bit convinced. “It’s a bit too bold, don’t you think?”
There was a loud sigh, upon which Mr. Roberts could be heard saying, “It is important to recognize the exact hue, Miss Chilcott. ‘Purple’ is much too broad a descriptive for such a lovely shade, and no, it is not too bold. Imagine it trimmed with black and with a black spencer to match.” His voice had taken on a dreamy note. “You’ll look—”
“Like a plum?” Isabella offered.
It was Anthony’s turn to press his lips together to keep from laughing.
“No, Miss Chilcott. Plum is an entirely different color.”
“Why, hello, Miss Chilcott,” Casper said as he rounded the display shelves that stood in the middle of the room, blocking Miss Chilcott and Mr. Roberts from Anthony’s view. “And Mr. Roberts is here too, I see. What a coincidence, since I was just on my way over to call on you—thought I’d stop in here first to see if I might be able to find something appropriate for my... er ... friend.”
Anthony groaned. Was it really necessary for Casper to refer to one of his mistresses in front of Isabella? On the other hand, what other reason would he possibly have for visiting a modiste? He considered stepping forward and announcing his own presence, but he stopped himself when Casper continued. “I couldn’t help but overhear your recommendation to Miss Chilcott—seems you’re quite the expert with regard to fashion. Perhaps you’d be willing to help me out? There’s a fine selection of laces over here.”
“Yes ... yes, of course, Mr. Goodard,” Mr. Roberts said, taking the bait without the least bit of hesitation and sounding most flattered. “I would be happy to help.”
