Page 3 of The Duplicate Duke
Miss Gwendolyn Bernard tapped her boot on the oak boards of the dry goods store.Mama!Let’s go!But her mother continued speaking to the shopkeeper’s sister.Gwen turned from the bolts of cloth, wishing they could afford a few lengths of muslin for a new summer dress.Her present dress, once a lovely azure blue with a dark-blue ribbon accentuating the high waist, was now faded and accessorized with fraying cuffs and hem.She couldn’t take in the sleeves anymore without the length appearing too short.
With a sigh, she turned to face the barrels of flour and gazed longingly at the shelf of sugar loaves wrapped in blue paper.Gwen preferred her tea and coffee strong and sweet, but they had gone through the monthly quota of sugar.Drinking the weak (they diluted it to make it last) bitter liquid did not start the day well.
Gwen’s foot began tapping again.Her mother was taking an inordinately long time to finish her conversation with Mrs.Tarron.Patience.She looked across the counter at the owner, Mr.Barnaby, who was watching her mother with a strange look on his face.His craggy face wore a ridiculous smile as he smoothed a big, calloused hand through his thinning, dark hair.He had a nice face, Gwen thought, for an old man.
“Are you enjoying the mild spring weather, Miss Downing?”The shop owner turned to face her, tugging his waistcoat over his slight paunch.“It’s certainly a fine day.”
“Yes, Mr.Barnaby.It is, indeed.”She pretended to browse the selection of ribbons, consciously attempting to keep her foot still and avoid another dagger glare from Mama.
“That violet ribbon would look real good on you.That color goes nice with your blonde hair and those big blue eyes,” said the shopkeeper.“I’ll cut you a length if you like.”
Gwen’s head jerked up, and she narrowed her eyes at Mr.Barnaby over her shoulder.Her long locks were tied back with an old leftover strip of linen, and the weather was windy.She knew she looked a bit of a mess.“I’m sorry to say I can’t buy anything today.”Her stomach grumbled, and she frowned at her middle.She’d rather he offered her something to eat.
“It would be my treat.”Mr.Barnaby walked from behind the counter, grabbing a large pair of scissors as he came around.He measured several hand lengths and cut the satin material.“There you go.”
“Why, thank you, sir,” she said, wondering what he was up to.Why the compliments and a gift?“I can pay you when my br?—”
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it, now,” he replied, his kind brown eyes twinkling.He folded the length of ribbon and went back behind the counter, finding a piece of paper to wrap it in.“I was wondering…”
And then it hit her—like an ax smacking a tree trunk.He was courting her.Was the funny look he’d given Mama because he wondered if she would agree to his courtship?A knot twisted in her stomach.Did he know how desperate they were?Perhaps he was being kind.He and her mother had been friends for years.
“Miss Bernard,” he began again, “do you think Mrs.Bernard would mind if I came to visit this evening?”When she gave him a blank stare, he mustered, “Or another night if it’s more convenient.”
Hedidwant to court her.For the love of Hercules, there had to be at least thirty years separating them.Her stomach growled again.Perhaps the good Lord was sending them a horn of plenty in disguise.She looked up to find Mr.Barnaby giving her an odd look.
“I’m afraid Tuesday is mending night after dinner,” she said evasively.His interest was unexpected, and she needed time to think about it.While she did need a husband, Gwen had hoped for someone closer to her age, a man who would win her heart.
“I have an idea.”The shopkeeper grinned as if the cleverest notion had just come to him.“Why don’t I take the two prettiest ladies in Boston to dinner?Then you can still return home in time to finish your mending.”
He must have heard her stomach growl.Regardless, she decided a good meal was a fast step toward capturing her heart at this point.With her brother gone for over a year now, their funds were dangerously low.They were rationing, and top priority had gone to necessities such as firewood and oil for the lamps, paper and ink for the countless letters they sent to Graham while receiving none in return.Food was minimal, and their cupboards were practically bare.
“I would have to ask?—”
“Merci, we would be honored to accept your gracious invitation, Mr.Barnaby,” her mother said behind her, the faint French accent still heard in certain words.“Shall we meet you somewhere, or would you prefer to collect us?”
“I’d be honored to call upon you.Say, half past six?”The store owner’s face had slowly turned red as he faced Mrs.Bernard.“We could dine at the Boston Exchange if that would suit you.”
Gwen’s eyes went wide.The Boston Exchange Coffee House and Hotel was the finest building in Boston, boasting seven stories with more than two hundred rooms.They would have a feast tonight.
* * *
“Mr.Barnaby issuch a sweet man to ask us to dine with him.He knows a bit about our circumstances,” Mama said as they dressed for dinner.“No fancy talk about women and independence tonight.”
Gwen rolled her eyes.“I think he’s interested.”
“Oh?”Gwen could see Mama’s half smile in the mirror as she finished brushing her mother’s black hair and deftly twisted it into a smooth bun.At forty, she had only a few strands of gray, and her figure remained trim.“Did he say something?”
“Yes, in so many words, he called me pretty, gave me ribbon without charging me, then asked about visiting tonight.I told him it was our darning night since we don’t have any refreshments to offer if he came.”She chuckled.“Then my stomach gurgled, and he asked us to dine with him instead.”
“Oh,” her mother murmured, jabbing another pin into her chignon.
The laughter died in Gwen’s throat as the smile faded from her mother’s lips.“Are you well?”she asked, concern flooding her chest.Mama had caught a fever in January and was still not back to full health yet.In fact, they still owed Dr.Robertson.
“I’m fine, my dear.”She turned from the mirror and put an arm around Gwen.
“Mama, have you heard from Mrs.Tetter?She mentioned needing a French tutor for her daughters.That would bring in some money.”
“Non, but it’s only been a few days.That would be a godsend, wouldn’t it?”She absently straightened her daughter’s collar, her green eyes distant.“I had hoped…”
