Page 12 of A Duke in Autumn

“My opinion of…?”

“Lady Eugenia, please show Madame what we have brought.”

Lady Annet fixed her gaze on the book Eugenia held, her face full of expectation. Eugenia took a deep breath, and carefully placed the book on the small countertop they stood beside. She opened it, and carefully pulled out the six sketches which had been hidden within its pages, and set them out beside the book. She could hardly bear to lift her eyes – what if the modiste laughed at her efforts?

The silence extended. Eventually, unable to stand it, Eugenia lifted her eyes. Madame Bergeron was staring at the sketches as if mesmerised. She reached out slowly, as if to lift one, and hesitated.

“May I touch them?”

“Of course, Madame.”

Eugenia’s voice was shaky – she could hear it, but it was too late now to snatch the sketches up and flee, even though that was exactly what she felt like doing.

Lady Annet, as usual, could not stay silent long.

“Aren’t they wonderful, Madame? Could you not just imagine making these gowns – and wouldn’t Lady Eugenia look amazing wearing them?”

Eugenia flinched at Lady Annet’s words – she might draw these gowns, but she could never wear them – they were far too daring! Madame looked up from the sketch she was holding, and her eyes were alight with what looked like eagerness.

“They are very good, Ladies. I particularly like the detail, and the fact that these are unique designs, even though they take advantage of some elements that are currently fashionable. You have a good eye for style, Lady Eugenia. If you wished it, I would be honoured to make you one or more gowns based on these sketches.”

Eugenia gasped.

“Madame – I cannot, that is to say, I had not intended to order a gown at this point…”

Madame looked disappointed, and a little annoyed – so much that Eugenia internally cringed. Lady Annet, seeing her discomfort, spoke up into the silence.

“Madame, I am sure that, soon, Lady Eugenia will be in a position to commission you to create one of these gowns. But… these are only a few of her designs – now that she knows that you also believe that they are excellent, she will need time to choose which one to have made. I am sure that you understand how difficult such a decision can be.”

Madame Bergeron straightened, and Eugenia was sure that she repressed a sigh.

“Of course, Lady Annet. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

Eugenia gathered up the sketches, slipping them back into the book, and they took their leave of the modiste. Once outside the shop, they paused, looking around for Lady Annet’s maid. She was not immediately visible anywhere. Eugenia found herself suddenly beyond nervous – it was one thing to be minimally chaperoned by a maid, and quite another to be completely unchaperoned! Lady Annet shook her head.

“If there is a bookshop nearby, and I believe that there is one just around the corner, I can guarantee that we will find Ellie there – it is a temptation she could not resist.”

They walked along the street, towards the next corner, looking about hopefully, but before they had gone more than ten steps, a man rounded the corner ahead of them. Eugenia’s heart nearly stopped in her breast. It was the Duke of Oakthorpe, and there was no doubt that he had both seen and recognised them. As he came towards them, he very obviously looked about, then turned his gaze back to them with a raised eyebrow.

It was utterly clear to Eugenia that he had just surveyed the street, looking for their chaperone, had correctly deduced that there was no chaperone to be seen, and was now rather amused by the situation. What if he told her mother? She should never have agreed to Lady Annet’s plan!

They came to a halt as he reached them, and Eugenia dipped her best curtsey. He bowed, elegant as always, and her breath caught. It was unfair that a man so thoroughly annoying should be so sinfully handsome as well!

She forced herself to smile, as if the situation was not unusual in the least.

“Lady Eugenia, Lady Annet – I trust that you are enjoying a pleasant day… shopping?”

He looked about again, then back to her, and shocked her again, by winking! He was implying… it was all too much! But what could she say? If she spoke up directly about the missing maid, he would likely not believe her, and then it would all be much worse. Lady Annet glanced at her sideways, then turned back to the Duke.

“Your Grace, we are indeed having a pleasant day. We have visited a number of shops – one can never look at enough fabric, lace, and bonnets, or for that matter, books. We are just on our way to the bookshop now.”

He glanced around again, and favoured Eugenia with a conspiratorial smile.

“I see. An adventure… in literature… no doubt awaits. But I must not delay you. It is, Lady Eugenia, wonderful to see you allowing yourself to be led further astray.”

With those words, he bowed again, and went past them, continuing up the street. They began to walk again, and, after a moment of silence, Lady Annet spoke.

“What did he mean, Eugenia? About you being led astray? It seems a most peculiar thing for him to have said.”