Page 41 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
A week had passed and Nathaniel had managed to see Miss Digby another two times. Her father was home during Saturday and Sunday so he would have no hopes of spending those days with her, but he was always thankful for the weekdays when they might be able to see each other.
Overcome by the strength of his feelings for her, Nathaniel wondered how he had not seen what an incredible young woman she was until now. He had meant it when he told her that he appreciated her honesty and boldness, but he continued to be astounded by it.
Miss Digby was beautiful, that was certain, but it was her spirit that truly affected him. He remembered that it was only a mere three weeks before that he had ended his courtship with Miss Hawthorne. The vast differences between the two young women were more than he might have imagined possible. And in every way, Miss Digby was the superior.
It was true that Miss Hawthorne had status and money, but she seemed to only want more of it. Miss Digby certainly had a care to see her family helped by the potential of marrying into a wealthy family, but it was evident that she was not the sort of young woman who was simply hungry for money and power. No, she was gracious and innocent.
That innocence was beautiful and lovely whenever he saw it on her face.
Nathaniel was looking forward to another visit from her that day. He had prepared everything but knew that he wanted something to be different this time. Not only would they enjoy the gardens and have luncheon, but he wished for something special.
They had also spent a great deal of time with his grandmother and he knew that Miss Digby had gone once again on her own. But today, he had her to himself. So with that in mind, Nathaniel planned to take her in the coach to a place she had likely never been before.
Arriving at the estate, she got out of the coach and he watched her from the window. Nathaniel made his way to the door to greet her.
“Good afternoon, Miss Digby,” he bowed.
She curtseyed in reply. He led her to the table in the garden where they typically enjoyed their meals now. She seemed charmed as always to be there and he was glad that she was not growing weary of it.
“How is the pheasant?” he asked.
“Splendid,” she replied. “You know, until last week, I had never eaten pheasant. But now I think it is my favourite food in all the world,” she laughed.
“Then I shall have it for you every time you come. And if we might find another way to get food to your family, I should like to send it again. I know, however, that we shall have to be strategic if we are to do so,” he remarked.
“Indeed. I do not know how we might,” she told him.
“Perhaps it could be from my grandmother? As if she, too, were begging your father to reconsider me,” he suggested.
“We may think about it. But I do not think we have to worry about it today,” she answered.
“Yes, you are right. We oughtn’t overwhelm your father with these things,” Nathaniel said.
After luncheon, he led Miss Digby into the house for a quick cup of tea before telling her he had a surprise for her.
“For me?” she asked, already curious.
“Yes, Miss Digby. For you. Shall we go to the coach?” he suggested.
She eyed him with an amused suspicion, but relented, following him. They got in and he could read the questions all over her face.
“You don’t trust me?” he teased.
“Of course I do, but this is most unusual,” she remarked.
Nathaniel leaned back and rested his head as the coach made its way through the streets of London into the finest part of the city. He glanced over at Miss Digby and saw that she was peeking out through the curtain and eyeing the beauty of it.
He could not help but wonder if she had always been deprived of this place. Had she remained only in her corner of the city for all these years? Had her home and the marketplace been her only world? Or was this simply a place she was rarely able to come to and wished to take it all in now that she was here?
The coach came to a stop right outside a large, grand dressmaker’s shop. Miss Digby turned her face to him and Nathaniel tried not to laugh at the wide shock of her eyes. He could see that she was completely overwhelmed and surprised by this.
“A dressmaker’s?” she squeaked.
“Yes, indeed,” he replied.
“But I have never been to a dressmaker’s. I have only ever purchased what is made and ready,” she replied.
Nathaniel knew that women of her station typically could not afford to have anything specially made. He knew that she often sewed and was even able to make simple dresses for herself and her sisters. But he wanted to spoil her.
