Page 14 of The Duke's Lesson in Love

ChapterSix

Gill leaned against his seat and stared at the woman sitting across the carriage. From the time they left their rooms, she had pretended indifference to his presence, and he hadn’t the faintest notion why. At breakfast, he received the same coolness, except for the one moment their fingers brushed as they reached for the strawberry jelly.

He was prepared for the sensation this time, but apparently Miss Fields was not if the swift indrawn breath was any indication. She kept her eyes averted, transfixed on their fingers. Sadie’s pulse quickened along her neck, mimicking the beat of his own.

It was not until Edwin had asked for the jelly did she move, snatching her hand as if stung.

Sweet hell. No woman had stirred his interest since… Gill clenched his teeth. He had been nothing more than an inexperienced pup then. Led by his coattails and lust. Even then, his attraction was not a growing fever in his blood. Nor did it electrify his senses the way Sadie did.

He vowed to have her hands on him again, and he would see her look at him in the breathless way she had stared at their joined hands.

The longer they shared a carriage, he became more enticed by the flush of awareness causing her chest to heave. She might have chosen to gaze out the window with Edwin, entertaining the child’s excited chatter, but she wasn’t as indifferent to his person as she pretended.

“Are we stopping for the night?” she asked when the carriage stopped along the busy main street of a new town.

“Shopping and a late lunch,” he said, helping them from the carriage. “The distance between this and the next town is long and too dangerous to stop. We wouldn’t arrive at the inn for many hours so it’s best to rest the horses now.”

“Perhaps Edwin and I should wait in the tavern, Your Grace.” She worried her lower lip. “Shopping is not an activity many children find entertaining.”

“Then he will have a lesson in patience.” He ruffled the child’s hair. “Do you think you can manage an hour, Edwin?”

The child’s eyes flickered to Sadie’s before holding his. “Yes, Your Grace.”

“Very good, Edwin.” He led the way up the short flight of stairs and into the clothing shop.

Upon opening the door, the bell jingled, lavender and fresh air peppered the atmosphere. The shop was recently let out. Instead of the usual bolts of fabric lining the tabletops, sample fabrics displayed the latest in silks, wool, cotton, and laces.

Mannequins were not just in the front window, but sprinkled throughout both the women’s and men’s sections, displaying finished dresses and suits while giving the illusion the store bustled with shoppers.

“I have not seen this many readymade clothing in one shop before.” Sadie’s eyes moved from one mannequin to another.

“Monsieur, Madame.” The shopkeeper bowed. “And good day to you, garçon.”

Edwin giggled.“I am Edwin, not garçon.”

Gill grunted back his urge to laugh, making a mental note to add French to Edwin’s studies.

“Ah, why, of course.” The man bowed again. “I am Jacques. How may I be of assistance?”

“The lady requires dresses and anything else she desires for her journey.” Gill patted Edwin’s shoulder before giving him a little shove forward. “The boy requires the same.”

“Dresses Monsieur?” The shopkeeper winked at Edwin, making the child giggle again.

Gill clasped his hands behind his back, not sure what to make of the man’s teasing. It was a peculiar experience having a stranger joke with him, or rather, his companions. Having witnessed his upbringing, his servants and tenants did not jest with him.

Sadie cleared her throat, saving him from making a blunder of the warm welcome. “Your shop is spectacular.”

“Thank you, Madame.” Jacques beamed.

“I was just telling his lordship that I have never seen so much ready-to-wear clothing in one shop.”

“Ah, it is splendid, no?”

“Indeed!”

“The town sees lots of travelers. The problem with the English is they are in too much of a hurry to leave London for regular fittings. They are in too much of a hurry for almost everything.” The man spared Gill a glance. “No offense, Monsieur.”

“None taken.”

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