Page 61 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
Once the clerk handed him the bracelet, Noah looked at it closely, studying each jewel until he was certain of what it was.
"This is even more perfect than I thought," he said to himself softly. "I'll take it. Gift wrapped, please."
"Yes, sir," the man replied, excited for the sale.
Noah wondered if the clerk would have attempted selling him more if he had known he was selling to a duke.
He was likely pleased I didn't ask to see something else when he mentioned it being expensive,Noah considered.
Once he had the wrapped gift in hand, the Duke paid, placed the present in his breast pocket, and made his way back to the beginning of the street, hoping Anne was still in the dress shop. He noticed Jeremy, Charles, and Diana coming down the street, and it seemed at the same moment, Jeremy saw him. Noah hesitated but decided he should come to them. However, Jeremy just as quickly ushered Diana and Charles into the milliners.
The Baron loudly said, "Lady Diana, perhaps you could offer your keen eye to Charles in selecting a new hat."
Then, he looked back to Noah, caught his eye, and winked.
"Jolly good, old man,"thought Noah as he continued to the haberdashery to find Anne.
When he entered the seamstress shop, he was surrounded by ladies' dresses and hats but also all manner of thread, needle, material, and sewing supplies. However, the only thing that caught his eye was Anne, atop a platform in the final fitting of the dress from the window.
It was soft purple and embellished with beads and lace. She held a small fan made of darker purple feathers in one hand and comb decorated with flowers in the same dark shade of purple for her hair.
Both women had turned to look at him when the bell above the door sounded his entry.
"You look lovely, Anne," said the Duke.
Anne blushed and softly replied, "Thank you, Noah."
The seamstress noted the lingering look between them and said, "If the gentleman will excuse us, I can package everything up, and he can carry it for you."
"Yes. Right. Excuse me," Noah stammered and stumbling a little as he turned to wait outside the store.
She will be a vision the night of the ball, and Diana will be able to read everything I feel for her in one look,Noah thought disappointedly.While she is concerned about all I must do in London, I can only think of all I yearn to do here.
After a few minutes, the door to the dress shop opened once more. This time, Anne came out with the seamstress behind her. Anne held a small box, and the seamstress handed a larger package to the Duke.
"I did not realize who you were, Your Grace," the woman said in apology. "Thank you for visiting Reedley and my little store. My husband and I will be attending the ball, and he is looking forward to meeting you. He's the tailor. We leave our shop to our apprentices and assistants twice a year to view the trends in Covent Garden."
"I admire your dedication. When you are next in London, you are welcome to tea at Grandon Manor, and my sister can tell yousome additional merchants of London worth visiting," invited Noah
"Really, Your Grace?" asked the woman,
"You have my word," replied the Duke.
The woman smiled brightly and clapped her hands together at her chest. She rushed back inside, and Anne smiled.
"You have made her day," said Anne.
"The sight of you in your gown and walking around in town together has made mine," replied Noah.
"I enjoy being together this way, too," Anne admitted.
However, they had only taken a few steps before they saw the rest of the party exit the millinery. Diana looked angry and then perplexed. As she approached Noah and Anne with Jeremy and Charles following closely behind, she resumed the forced smile from earlier that afternoon when she arrived. She walked quickly and took a breath before speaking.
She asked, "Did you change your mind and purchase the dress for me, or are you carrying Miss Drowton's things?"
"I told you I was not going to buy you the dress, Diana, and it turned out the dress you fancied was the one Annecommissioned to be made when the ladies began planning the banquet," the Duke replied somewhat smugly.
Charles and Jeremy had caught up with them now. Lady Diana clenched her jaw.
