Chapter Six #2
Lady Jersey entwined her fingers as she lifted her hands, forefingers forming a steeple, and tapped her lips. “I always was fond of Jillian. The old marquess was not known for his kindness.” She lowered her hands. “I will do it on one condition.”
“Which is?”
“That you participate in the autumn’s social events as well.”
“I dinnae really fit in.”
She smiled brightly and stood, indicating the interview was over. “You will be a breath of fresh air. And, since the Earl of Cantford is your brother, I doubt you will find yourself standing about for long. The earl created quite a stir with the ladies before our Jillian snagged him.”
Jamie groaned inwardly. Ian had to try to fit in since he’d inherited the English title, but Jamie did not need to spend more time at boring, crowded affairs with silly girls and hawk-eyed mamas.
He had no desire to take part in the Marriage Mart either.
It would be a long time before he was ready to settle down.
He sighed. He was at fault for Mari’s being cut. If he were the ticket that would put her back into Society’s good graces, then this was what he must do. He nodded his acceptance.
“Good.” Lady Jersey clapped her hands, and the butler immediately appeared in the open doorway to show him out.
“I had a young French portrait painter—quite a courtly young man—call on me to ask for an introduction to some of the ton’s matrons as well.
I suspect this will turn out to be quite an interesting Little Season. ”
“This is all quite unnecessary,” Mari repeated as she waited on the front steps for the carriage to be brought around.
No one in the group surrounding her gave any indication they even heard.
Effie’s mouth was set in a tight line, Aunt Agnes was frowning and Jamie whistled as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
What was he so happy about anyway? He’d looked smug as a cat who’d discovered a way into a creamery since yesterday afternoon when he’d returned from wherever he had been.
“I am only going to do a bit of shopping. Effie and a footman are all I need.”
No one answered her as the landau rolled around the corner and came to a stop in front of them.
One of the footmen leaped to the ground to open the carriage door and let down the steps.
Effie and Aunt Agnes crowded behind Mari, settling themselves on either side of her and forcing Jamie to take the opposite seat.
Mari would have teased the women about being overly protective, but neither of them looked to be in a particularly good humor.
Effie’s nose was probably out of joint having an entire entourage accompanying them.
Aunt Agnes’s grim countenance bore testimony to the fact that she was taking her job as chaperone seriously.
Did either of them seriously expect Jamie to take advantage of her? Mari sighed. No one was taking any chances on another debacle happening in public.
None of this would have been necessary if Jamie hadn’t insisted on coming along.
The landau was a roomy carriage, but the tips of Jamie’s boots nearly touched the hem of her skirts.
They weren’t fashionable Hessians, but made of softer leather, more like doeskin, that wrapped around his ankles and up his calves under the trousers—he called them trews—he wore.
They weren’t the popular pantaloons favored by Beau Brummel’s crowd, but their snug fit clearly defined muscular thighs that were splayed at the moment, revealing a rather distinct bulge at their apex.
Mari’s face flamed as she realized where she was looking. She glanced up to find Jamie’s whisky-colored eyes twinkling in amusement. She looked quickly out the window before either her aunt or Effie took notice.
Jamie peered out his window too. “Are ye interested in the scenery, lass?”
She didn’t think her face could get any hotter. Jamie certainly was not referring to the townhouses they were passing, all of which looked much alike. Her butterflies fluttered wildly from their roost in her stomach. Drat the man. How could he rattle her just by sitting there?
“The scenery in many parts of London is interesting.”
He grinned. “Aye. Some parts are more interesting than others.”
Mari’s cheeks burned. She was going burst into flames. She prayed neither her aunt nor Effie caught the innuendo in Jamie’s deep baritone. The man was truly a rogue.
When the carriage stopped on Bond Street, she nearly tumbled from it in relief.
She almost forgot why she wanted to go shopping.
Oh, yes. She needed some ribbons and lace to spruce up the day dresses she’d brought from Newburn.
Mari set off, Effie and Aunt Agnes walking on either side, a footman and Jamie trailing behind.
She felt like she was surrounded by guards.
Maybe if she loitered at nearly every shop along the way Jamie would get bored and decide not to escort her again.
Two hours later, even Mari was tired of traipsing in and out of shops, although Jamie seemed cheerfully energetic. He’d even given her unsolicited advice in several purchases. What was wrong with him?
“I believe I am ready to return home,” she said after they came out of a milliner’s shop with a bonnet she didn’t need.
“Ye missed one shop, lass.”
Mari frowned. She didn’t think he’d notice she had bypassed Madam Dubois. “I really do not need to order a gown.”
“I think ye do. That blue material ye looked at would look good on ye.”
She stared at him. He’d been so angry that day, yet he’d noticed what she was looking at? She wasn’t ready to face Madam Dubois though.
“It is not necessary.”
“Aye. It is.” Jamie took her elbow and guided her past two doors to the shop. Aunt Agnes frowned and Effie huffed her displeasure, but they followed along.
The shopkeeper’s eyes widened as they entered. Mari wished the floor would suddenly develop a hole in which she could be swallowed. No such luck.
“How…how can I be of assistance?” Madam Dubois asked nervously, her eyes darting around as though looking for a defensive weapon.
Jamie did not seem to notice, flashing the woman his dimpled smile. “I think Miss Barclay was planning to order a gown the day she tripped and I helped to set her back on her feet.” He stepped slightly closer to the woman, his eyes intent. “Ye do remember the incident happening like that?”
Madam Dubois looked confused, and then a glint appeared in her eyes as she returned his look. “Oui. I remember. It was most chivalrous of you to assist the lady.” The woman smiled brightly at Mari. “I believe it was the blue silk you were interested in, mademoiselle?”
Mari nearly gaped at Jamie as the shopkeeper led her away. How—? Maddie must have talked with him, and he hadn’t mentioned it. Mari had really thought he wouldn’t go along. She suddenly wanted to turn and throw her arms around Jamie’s neck in gratefulness.
And then she remembered the last time their bodies had touched—while she was slung over his shoulder in this very shop. Her cheeks warmed again, and an even hotter heat pooled low in her belly.