Chapter 4 #2
“You are fortunate to have his interest,” Maxine said with a hint of envy in her tone.
“Very fortunate, indeed,” Diane emphasized with a wink.
Marie would ask them what she had done to get his attention, but she knew neither one could answer the inquiry.
This was the work of magic. Or, if not magic, then it was some remarkable thing that Tove used to create this new life for her.
Marie was certain Tove had said something about this time period having some technological limitations, but that might as well mean a lack of magic as far as Marie was concerned.
Marie found this whole thing fascinating and a bit alarming.
If Tove could create it so that Marie got a brand new life where someone like Lord Gilbert was interested in her, what else could she do?
What other experiments was she performing?
And who was involved in those experiments?
Before Marie could continue to think on those things, the meal came. She was treated to the best assortment of fruits, pheasant, and pudding she’d ever had. She’d thought that her father’s cook did a wonderful job, but this put his meals to shame.
When they were done eating, Diane insisted on doing a little shopping.
Marie hesitated since she couldn’t think of anything she needed, but then Maxine said, “If you’re going to have a social call with Lord Gilbert, you need a pretty bonnet and matching gloves to go with the pink gown the seamstress brought to your townhouse the other day.”
Diane’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I know the gown you’re talking about! It’s the one with that lovely lace trim. Yes, Marie, that is the one you ought to wear. It’ll enhance the pink in your cheeks.”
Maxine lowered her voice, “It’ll enhance the rest of you, too.”
Marie didn’t understand why Maxine added that part with a twinkle in her eye, but Diane just rolled her eyes and said, “As much as we’d like to think otherwise, gentlemen are prone to let their gazes wander.”
When Marie noted the way Diane gestured to her entire body, Marie gasped. No. Gentlemen certainly didn’t make it a point to examine all of a lady’s body, did they? Certainly, it was the lady’s mind that they were most interested in.
“You really should not entertain certain gentlemen,” Diane whispered to Maxine. “You could get in trouble.”
“It was only the one, and he used a love letter,” Maxine whispered back.
Marie glanced between them, looking for any clues so as to discern the meaning of their words. What could be so terrible about sharing a romantic letter with someone?
“I’m ready to shop,” Diane said and rose to her feet, sufficiently putting an end to the odd conversation.
Marie jumped up and hurried out of the restaurant with them.
They had lingered longer in the restaurant than she’d thought.
She wondered what time it was. She searched her drawstring purse for a timepiece, but the only thing she found was a few coins.
And they were good ones at that. She could buy quite a bit today.
She bumped into someone. When she looked up at the gentleman, she gasped in surprise. She had bumped into Edward! He didn’t recognize her, did he? Did he know about this new version of her life?
Edward offered an apologetic smile and tipped his hat. “My apologies. I wasn’t watching where I was going. Please forgive me.”
Marie opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Diane laughed and told him, “You caught the poor thing unawares.”
Marie cleared her throat and offered an uncertain smile. “Yes. I didn’t see you.”
“Well, that makes both of us,” Edward said. “I’ll leave you ladies to your day.” He wished the three a good afternoon then headed on down the sidewalk.
“A bit on the plain side, but sweet all the same,” Maxine commented.
Marie and Diane looked in her direction.
Maxine shrugged. “He was courteous.”
“All gentlemen are courteous,” Diane said. “They have to be, especially in public.”
“Yes, but there’s something kind about his eyes,” Maxine replied.
Marie’s eyebrows furrowed. There was? She tried to think of what she had learned about Edward last evening when she’d met him at the ball.
Unfortunately, her mind came up with very little.
She’d been so focused on how poor of an impression she’d made that she couldn’t recall much about him.
She looked over at him as he continued on down the sidewalk.
He had a cane in hand but wasn’t using it because he was in a hurry.
He darted into one of the shops. Marie glanced up at the sign.
The store sold pocket watches. Was it ironic that he happened to be on his way to buy a time piece when that had been the very thing she’d just been searching for in her purse?
“We don’t need to waste the rest of the afternoon here, do we?” Diane asked.
“Of course not,” Maxine replied. “Marie isn’t the only one who needs to do some shopping.”
“Come, Marie,” Diane encouraged when Marie lingered to give another glance at the shop that Edward had entered.
Marie headed off in the direction that took her away from Edward.