Page 34 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
He nodded. “I was in the hatmaker’s shop when I witnessed the phaeton take a corner too quickly.”
“What became of Agnes and the boy?” the duke enquired.
“Miss Humphries, her maid, and the boy rode in the carriage with me to Dr Ralfe,” William informed them. “The physician examined him and pronounced him well enough to go home.”
“And what of Miss Humphries?” Jacob asked. “Do not tell me that you let that brave woman go home alone? She must have been quite distressed.”
William did not like what his brother was implying. If he were trying to make him look like a cad in front of their parents, then Jacob had another thing coming.
“Miss Humphries is not only brave but a strong woman,” William said. “She did not wish to trouble Miss Mellors with her absence, but neither did she wish the child to be left alone. She asked me to stay with the boy and return him home. I did as she asked.”
“She is indeed a brave woman,” his mother remarked.
“This is just one more thing that has endeared her to me. I cannot wait to see her again. Of course, I will give her a little scolding for putting herself in such a position as I am also a mother and would be worried if I had a daughter, but I certainly admire her.”
“I agree, Mother,” said Jacob. “I knew Miss Humphries was a special person from the very first moment I met her. I doubt there are many like her in the world.”
William narrowed his eyes slightly, observing his brother. Agnes had made an impression on him, and if William were honest with himself, he would admit that she had made an impression on him, too.
Chapter 10
“Why don’t you buy that ribbon you were not able to get the other day?” Mrs Mellors suggested while out shopping the next day.
Agnes had told her everything about her morning in town after failing to arrive on time for breakfast. It had only been the right thing to do, but Agnes had worried that it would persuade the woman to think differently about her.
To her surprise, Mrs Mellors believed it was the best thing that could have happened as it had shown Lord Hampton that she was a selfless woman. Agnes had silently disagreed, but she was relieved at not being taken to task over the situation.
“Thank you for reminding me, Mrs Mellors. It is a good thing that I have not sent the letter yet. Do you think a bright blue or pale pink would look better in Lavinia’s hair?”
“What colours does she usually wear?” Mrs Mellors asked. “Perhaps select a colour that she wears with most of her dresses.”
“That makes sense,” Agnes agreed.
Lavinia usually wore pale colours that made her seem quite ethereal and otherworldly and tended to shy away from anything too bright. The young woman was afraid she would drown in anything that might overshadow her colouring, but Agnes didn’t think so.
“I suppose I should buy pink, but I might have enough money to get the blue as well,” she decided aloud.
Perhaps the blue might influence her sister to try other colours.
“That’s very good, dear,” Mrs Mellors replied. “The shop is just across the road, but why don’t we have some tea first? Wilbur’s Tea Shop has the most scrumptious sweet buns with raisins that I love to eat at least once a week.”
“They sound delicious,” Agnes commented. “We can—”
“Mrs Mellors!” a woman exclaimed behind them. “And is this Agnes?”
It took Agnes a second more to recognise that voice, confirming her suspicions when she turned around. The people she had hoped never to see while in Cheltenham were looking at her with smug expressions on their faces as though they knew something that she did not.
“Good afternoon, Lady Frampton, Miss Philips,” Mrs Mellors greeted. “Are you coming to have tea as well?”
“Oh, no, no,” the baroness denied. “We have already had our tea, but I’m happy that I have seen you as I wish to ask you about something in private if you do not mind. The girls can entertain each other while we take a little walk.”
“Yes, of course,” Mrs Mellors agreed. “I can spare some time for you. Shall we?”
The older women walked ahead, and Agnes and Phoebe trailed behind them.
“How are you, Agnes?” Phoebe asked. “I have not seen you in quite some time.”
“I am well, thank you. I trust you are well?”
