Page 15 of The Duke's Lesson in Love

“I’m afraid we only have an hour,” Sadie said as they followed the clerk to the counter.

“That is plenty of time for magic, no?” The man rang the bell two times. Within seconds, two women rushed from the back room and Jacques gave instructions.

A smile played on Sadie’s mouth. “Our supper bell has the same effect at the orphanage.”

“Orphanage?” Jacques’s brows pinched.

“I work at an orphanage and when our bell rings, everyone rushes into the room. I wish it had the same effect with chores.”

“Ah well, Madame, sustenance is easier on the form than labor.” He smiled when she snorted. “Adeline will measure you for dresses and quickly fit anything you chose from the racks.

The attendant motioned for her to follow, but she paused, stepping close enough for Gill to inhale the soap from her morning bath. She was hesitant again compared to her freedom with the clerk. He wanted her laughing and chatting without care.

“Are you sure about this? I require nothing more than a sturdy day dress.”

She needed far more than that. He dipped his head, no longer mindful of their audience and the picture they made. “Do you prefer to sleep in my nightshirt?” he whispered in her ear, wishing he could capture her breathy gasp.

“Do you wish it back?” She frowned.

Gill wasn’t sure if it was a genuine question or an attempt to ruffle his feathers. “Do you wish me to take it back?” It was as much an offer as it was a dare.

She swallowed. Retreated. The loss of her nearness caused an ache in the pit of his stomach.

“Go,” he said, the word sounding harsher than he intended. He watched her flee deeper into the woman’s side of the store until he lost her behind shelves and mannequins. When had she buried herself under his skin so deeply that it exhilarated him to see her flustered?

He knew.

From the moment she claimed his son as her own—not in words, but deeds. She had challenged his right to take Edwin, to be a father, and she had been correct on both fronts. His parents’ blood ran through his veins. He could not ignore his parental influences any more than he could discount the marks on his back, all signs that he was unworthy.

Jacques cleared his throat. “If you’ll follow me, Monsieur, we shall fit the young lord.”

They were led to a small, carpeted lounge. On the opposite side of the store. In the center of three armed chairs was a step-up fitting stand. The moment he took a seat and Edwin stepped onto the stand, Jacques began working, measuring Edwin for two of each piece of clothing that would last until they arrived at Berwick and their wardrobe supplemented.

The second assistant offered him tea and neatly arranged sandwiches for Edwin, which went a long way in keeping his attention.

“You are very good with children,” Gill remarked. During the past forty minutes, the man did not so much as breathe a sigh of annoyance.

“Ce n’est pas la mer à boire.” Jacques waved the hand holding his chalk. “When the children are happy, the parents stay, no?”

There was logic to that, Gill supposed. He had no experience with children and his happiness was of no consequence to his parents.

When Jacques was finally finished, the assistant offered to help Edwin dress while Gill settled the bill for today’s shopping. Taking his timepiece from his vest pocket, he noted they had spent far more time in the shop than intended. He wanted to be far away from the most dangerous stretch of road before nightfall.

His head jerked at the sound of Edwin’s scream. Gill hurried towards the dressing lounge. When he got there, the child was standing behind the assistant’s skirts.

“Edwin?”

His son ran towards him and Gill lifted him into his arms. “What is going on here?”

“Did the ruffian not pass you, Monsieur?” The assistant pointed towards the back entrance the employees came from when they first entered the shop. There was no one there. “He tried to take the boy.”

“I want Mamon Sadie.”

He turned his attention to Edwin. “Of course you do,” he said, trying to offer comfort when he wanted nothing more than to check the storeroom. With his son still clutched against his chest, he hurried to the women’s dressing area. “Miss Fields.”

“Your Grace, you cannot be here.” Adeline stood to block him.

“Move, now,” he warned, and watched the woman’s eyes widen as she stepped aside.

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