Eli turned up as his usual cheerful self to escort them to the much-avoided visit to the modiste, made no explanation for his time at Horse Guards, and waited patiently while they suffered through measurements and selected patterns and materials, an exercise Fanny found more enjoyable than she cared to admit. New frocks were a joy, but a cottage of her own was a better use of her brothers’ money if they wanted to help.
They traveled by carriage, this time with Reilly behind and another of Rob’s men up top with the coachman. Fanny pretended not to notice. They took her to Gunter’s for ices again, but this time, Eli did not suggest walking.
When he announced they would go directly home, both Lucy and Fanny balked. They would have their walk. He proposed Green Park instead, ordering the coachman to stay nearby. Both footmen—if that was even what they actually were—dismounted the carriage and followed Eli, Lucy, and Fanny at a discreet distance. Fanny again pretended not to notice, but the demand for an explanation lingered on the tip of her tongue. As much as she enjoyed being on Eli’s arm, she didn’t like being in the dark.
The following day he sent word that he had an early business appointment but that he would arrive to escort them at one o’clock.
Odd, that. He didn’t even ask where we planned to go.
Originally, they had considered a visit to the British Museum. Fanny was avid to view the Elgin Marbles. But Maddy begged off, again, and Lucy had another suggestion.
With a sly gleam in her eye, she said, “I think I need new nightclothes and some underlinen.”
Fanny raised an eyebrow.
“Something filmy and scandalous,” Lucy went on.
Lucy had always seemed practical and down-to-earth to Fanny. “You never struck me as the sort to—” But then, Lucy was a married woman. Who know what sort of gowns she might wear in private? “What are you up to?”
“Think about it.” Lucy’s eyes brimmed with devilment.
“He will be mortified!” Fanny said when the idea came into focus.
Lucy bit her lip. “Are you up for it?”
By the time Eli arrived, Fanny was bursting with anticipation. Lucy gave the coachman directions to Mrs. Johnson’s Stitchery.
“Another modiste?” Eli groaned.
Lucy hugged his arm and let him help her up into the carriage. “You know we ladies need our frippery.”
And our privacy, Fanny thought.He’ll be sorry he’s sticking to us like a burr.As much as his hovering protection warmed her heart, she couldn’t resist Lucy’s plan to tease him.
