Page 64 of The No Good Irresistible Viscount Tipton
“What is your impression of Maddy?” Devona asked her sister Wynne three days after her return to London. It had taken that much time to convince her husband that she would come to no harm. Although no other attempts had been made on their lives, Tipton was not convinced their circumstances would remain so. Feeling like a noble lady, she strolled with Wynne down Bond Street with two trailing footmen as guards. Devona thought her husband was the most protective man she knew, even trumping her father, but she refused to remain a prisoner.
“Her manners are about as shabby as her dress,” her sister said after a reflective pause. Attired in a light green muslin walking dress with a yellow sarcenet spencer, Wynne exuded a confidence in her bearing that Devona had always found lacking in herself. If anyone could help her add the polish she had promised Jocelyn, it would be her sister. The gypsy hat of satin straw she was wearing concealed the thoughtful frown Devona suspected was in place.
“Are you hoping a few new dresses and the ability to execute the perfect curtsy will endear her to Tipton?”
“Not exactly. The wardrobe and the lessons are just the trimming. My intention is to make her real to him.”
Wynne faced her, the disbelief clear on her perfectly sculpted features. “Now who is speaking nonsense?”
Spying the trailing members of their entourage, Maddy, Pearl, and Gar, from across the street, Devona lowered her voice. “For years, Maddy has simply been a name, an unwanted burden to reject. Avoiding Foxenclover reinforced that attitude. Unfortunately for Tipton, he has a wife who will not allow him to continue.”
“You think throwing brother and sister together will make him change his mind?”
Devona stopped in front of a glove shop window. “I am not seeking a miracle. I just want him to understand that she has a long life ahead of her.”
“And that means…,” Wynne persisted.
“That’s a long time to hate and fear someone.” Devona’s face brightened when Maddy joined them. “Did you find something interesting at Hookham’s?” She usually took advantage of visiting the circulating library when she was in the area. Today, she had declined so she could have some time alone with her sister.
“A few.” Maddy sent a look to Pearl. “Miss Brown was pleased to find a few copies of Mrs. Radcliffe’s books. You would have thought she had found a handful of diamonds the way she carried on.”
“I haven’t read these tales,” Pearl said defensively. “Besides, I saw the way you were clutching that old gardening book.”
“That old gardening book was Horace Walpole’s essayModern Taste in Gardening. He discovered similarities between the post-medieval garden and those of the antique world. His observations were quite insightful, though I doubt you could appreciate them.”
“That is enough, Madeleina,” Devona interrupted before the pair of them could begin to argue in earnest. “Miss Brown may be in my employ; however, she is your elder and you will display a more ladylike decorum when addressing her.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The glare Madeleina sent in Pearl’s direction promised retribution.
Devona could barely contain a sigh. The Wymans were a combustible clan. Her appreciation for Tipton’s self-control was growing each day.
“This is your shopping excursion, Devona,” Wynne said, reminding everyone of their purpose. “Shall we do gloves or shoes next?”
“Neither. Maddy must be hungry after several hours of fittings. I propose we move on to Mayfair. Our new sister has never seen Berkeley Square and I think an ice from Gunter’s would improve her mood.”
“Truly?” Maddy exclaimed, looking more like a child than a woman at the moment. “I would enjoy that very much, Devona.”
“Do you think indulging her whims will benefit her disposition?” Wynne asked as they waited for their carriage.
Devona shrugged, not offended by the question. “Years of denial have left her hungry. I intend to feed her.”
***
“Miss Bedegrayne, is that you?”
Devona turned, her hand lightly resting on the cool glass of lemonade as she searched for the person who had called out her name. Oz Lockwood was striding briskly toward her, his walking stick sharply striking the wooden walkway with each step.
“Mr. Lockwood, it is a pleasure to see you again.” She held out a hand and he immediately clasped it and bowed. “You of course are acquainted with my sister Wynne.”
“Mr. Lockwood.” Wynne acknowledged politely his quick bow in her direction.
“And may I present another sister, Miss Madeleina Wyman. Maddy, this is a dear friend, Mr. Oz Lockwood.”
Maddy looked up from her ice and frowned. “You look familiar.”
Not pleased to be addressed in such a forthright manner by a mere schoolgirl, Oz irritatingly replied, “I doubt it, Miss Wyman. I rarely associate with children.” Pleased he had put her in her place, he turned to Devona.
“Miss Bedegrayne—oh, forgive me; you are Lady Tipton now, are you not?”
