Val sniffed, and she imagined him with a soft smirk and his dark brown eyes sparkling.
“And I hope you enjoy your market-journey,” he said warmly.
Cecily blushed.
“Thank you,” she said again.
Greta took Cecily’s arm and prepared to turn away from Val. But he took her hand and gave it a small but sweet kiss. The tingles reignited within her, and she thought she might swoon.
“I shall see you in a bit, Cecily,” he said.
Cecily giggled giddily.
“Indeed,” she said.
She listened as Val walked away. She assumed he was out of sight when Greta squeezed her arm and gasped.
“Your Grace,” she breathed. “I dare say that your husband appears to have something of a crush on you.”
Cecily blushed and shook her head.
“I think he is just being a perfect gentleman to his wife,” she said, not ignoring the rush of excitement she felt at calling herself his wife.
Greta giggled.
“I believe you feel it, too,” she said.
Cecily sighed dreamily. She did feel it. However, she wanted to focus on the friendship that she knew in her heart was there. Her feelings for Val were, indeed, becoming quite strong. But she did not want to put pressure on him by allowing herself to think that his feelings went further than that.
“Let us go to the markets,” she said.
First, Cecily visited the small perfumier shop. She had a wonderful time testing the fragrances, delighting in the sweet smells. Even though it was a little village shop, she noticed some fragrances that she had never seen even in London.
Cecily settled on lilac and rose scented perfumes, which Greta praised highly. As they left the shop, she handed Greta the bottle of lilac perfume.
“This is for you,” she said, smiling sweetly.
Greta gasped.
“Oh, your Grace,” she breathed. “You are too good to me.”
Cecily smiled.
“No,” she said, squeezing her friend’s hand. “It is you who is too good to me. You deserve something special, Greta.”
The maid sniffled and embraced her mistress.
“I’m grateful, your Grace,” she said.
Next, they visited a small boutique where Cecily found some hairpins and combs. Greta helped her select some with diamonds, one with emeralds and a couple with rubies. As the clerk rang up her purchase, Cecily grinned.
“I cannot wait to wear these when Val and I next go into London,” she said.
She heard the clerk pause for a moment.
“Are you referring to his Grace, the Duke of Archington?” she asked.
Cecily nodded and curtseyed, thrilled at her first opportunity to formally introduce herself.
