Page 16 of The Artisan and the Duke
The Duke’s eyebrows raised in surprise, and the man laughed. “You were about to take a jaunt out into the world, were you?”
“Well, someone had to step in and keep the lady safe,” Fredrick said as he drew himself up straight.
The Duke nodded. “And a noble thing it was for you to offer, but I am here now, so I can help Miss Kelley if she chooses to go out.”
“Won’t you be a bit recognizable? Half the guild knows who you are,” Jules reminded the man.
Gregory nodded, “I am actually counting on that a bit, to be honest. Besides, my brother is going to be otherwise engaged momentarily.” The Duke looked over at his brother, “Is not your contact coming to see you today?”
“True,” Fredrick said as he frowned. “I would much rather adventure with Miss Kelley than deal with Archibald, I assure you.” There was a deep laugh from the Duke as he agreed, “I do not blame you one bit, Brother of mine.”
Chapter 4
Jules took the simple dress that Sherry brought to her. “Going adventuring? Don’t worry, Miss; I won’t say a word. I rather like all the intrigue,” Sherry confided with a grin.
“You must love it here then,” Jules said with a chuckle.
Sherry nodded and replied, “I really do.”
Once Jules was ready, she pulled a bonnet over her hair and gave Sherry a smile. Her mother would have loved to see this, Jules mused to herself as she took in her reflection. She was certain that this very outfit was the future that her mother had always envisioned for her oldest daughter.
“Wish us luck,” Jules said with a brave smile as she headed towards the door of the bedroom.
Sherry called out from behind her, “Good luck, Miss.”
Downstairs, Jules was met by the Duke at the bottom of the stairs. “My mother is out for tea with one of her dear friends, so we shall have easy access in and out of the house. The servants who might give us away, are usually at the far end of the house at this time of day,” the Duke said with a smile. He offered Jules his arm and asked, “Shall we, My Lady?”
“Yes, I think we shall,” Jules replied. She laid her hand on the Duke’s forearm and let the man escort her towards the front door.
The man’s hair was pulled back with a simple bit of tattered ribbon, and his white shirt was a bit dirty from previous adventures. It gave him a look of authenticity.
Of course, Jules had never seen a man on the streets of London who looked as beautiful as the Duke, and one look at his cheekbones would probably give him away as one of the upper crust.
It took only a bit of time before they were out on the street and swiftly away from the shining side of the elite. The large houses faded away, morphing into slum buildings and squalor. Jules took a deep breath of the rank air that filled the streets at this hour. The pots were being emptied, and the stench rose up off the streets.
Gregory fetched a handkerchief out of his vest pocket and offered it to the dark-haired young woman. Jules took it swiftly with a mumbled, “Thank you.” Gregory fetched another for himself, and they proceeded toward Jules’ old neighbourhood where the fire had taken place.
As they walked, Jules asked, “What did your friend the barrister have to say?”
“He was most intrigued and is looking into it forthrightly,” Gregory said. “I’m sure that he will find a way to sort it out.”
Jules relaxed a bit knowing that her guildmates now had someone fighting for them even if she could not.
“Jules?” An incredulous voice asked from across the street.
They turned to see a slender youth headed toward them. Jules smiled. “David,” she said with relief. “I thought for sure that you had been captured.”
“Devil – like me?” David scoffed. “I have to say that I’m a bit surprised to see you here, especially without your kit.”
Jules glanced at the Duke who was eyeing them curiously. “Oh, I beg your pardon, this is my friend David Larkin. We came up the ranks together during apprenticeship,” Jules explained to the man. “David, this is …” Jules paused not sure if she should drop the disguise. “This is Gregory Townsend. He’s my betrothed.”
David’s mouth fell open. “You don’t say? I never thought in my wildest dreams that you’d be settling down for a manger.” David laughed. “Well, I’ll be a mule.”
“Nice to meet you,” Gregory said as he extended his hand to David.
David, in turn, grasped Gregory’s hand eagerly in a rigorous shake while the young man exclaimed, “Pleasure is all mine.”
“I apologize for the rush, but we were just on our way to look at a prospective house,” Gregory said sadly.
