Page 31 of The Marquess's Imperfect Brid
With that proclamation and a soft squeal of delight, the younger girl whirled around and hurried out of the room, once more tasking Juliet with closing it before returning to her mistress. She and Grace exchanged looks and chuckles.
“Do you think that your sister will enjoy herself today?” Juliet teased.
Grace laughed, straightening her shoulders so that her lady’s maid could finish helping her dress.
“No,” she said with a firm, jesting shake of her head. “I believe she will hate every minute of it.
The two women laughed.
When Grace was ready, she went downstairs. Her sister and Millicent were already dressed and waiting, as were their lady’s maids. The three women were just ahead of several of their house party guests as they exited the mansion and headed for the small road that led to the village of Farenley. It was a short walk to the village, where the fair was being held, with Anne leading the way and chatting excitedly with every step.
“I am desperate to try Miss Lovette’s sweetmeats this year,” she said. “Last year, she was working with Mrs. Lathom, and her talent for cooking was very apparent. This year, Mrs. Lathom is recovering from an injured hip, and she is allowing Miss Lovette to work her stall.”
Millicent beamed at Anne, touching Grace’s shoulder with her head as she spoke.
“I cannot wait to see the entertainment,” she said. “The actors and the juggler were superb. And I believe that the church put together a small group of singers to perform, as well.”
Grace sighed. She imagined how it would be to participate in such a public performance. She thought about the request that Abigail had made for her to sing at the musicale the following day. It was something she had considered since the vicar’s wife had spoken with her about it. And picturing a performance with a small group of people showed her the appeal of such an invitation. But unlike the music at the fair, hers would be a solo performance. It would certainly be inspiring. But could she bring herself to put herself on display as they were preparing to do?
As they reached the fair entrance, the women decided simultaneously to visit the stall where Miss Lovette was. Just inside the archway, there was lively music being played on a flute by a girl who looked to be about fifteen years of age. She wore a simple white cotton dress, and though her lips were pressed against the mouthpiece of the instrument, her eyes sparkled with a genuine smile.
Each stall was decorated in banners of all hues, some with carved signs announcing their products or services and others with their proprietors calling out to the fair-goers and inviting them inside. It was a wholesome, festive atmosphere, and all the women were bursting with delight.
Miss Lovette gave them a red-cheeked smile, brushing her black hair back from her eyes. She greeted them with a curtsey, her eyes tired but shining with pride as she gestured to a tray of sweetmeats in front of her.
“Would you like to try some?” she asked. “I shall offer a sample, with more for purchase if you are pleased.”
Anne shook her head, reaching for her coin purse in the pocket of her pale-yellow dress.
“That is quite all right,” she said with a warm smile. “We will not waste your inventory with sampling when we already know that you make some of the best sweetmeats in all of England.”
Miss Lovette blushed again, shaking her head.
“You humble me with your praise,” she said. “But if you change your mind and wish to sample something before you purchase more, I am happy to oblige.”
Grace nodded, but she was of the same mind as her sister. She would prefer to buy the treats from the woman, rather than see her waste the products of her hard work just giving them away to people who could easily afford to pay her what she deserved. Besides, she intended to buy some to take to the orphanage. She knew that each of the woman’s treats would be appreciated, even without tasting each one.
By the time they left, they had bought boxes of gingerbread, marzipan in the shapes of various animals and jellies shaped like flowers for the children, and each of the women got boxes with a mix of comfits, candied plums, sugared almonds and bonbons. The proprietress was grinning as she bade the women a good afternoon, and Anne was bubbling with excitement.
“If my box makes it home, I shall be surprised,” she said as they headed to the carriage to store their treats until they were ready to return home.
Once their sweetmeats were safely stored, the women reentered the fair. They purchased cups of cider to cool themselves as they continued wandering through the artisans who were pedaling their wares to the community. The first stop they made after the cider stall was to an elderly lady selling baskets.
“It will get tiring, returning to the carriage after every purchase,” Anne said.
Grace giggled, shaking her head.
“Do you intend to purchase the entire fair?” she asked.
Anne beamed.
“If it assists our local merchants and provides sustenance for their families, I shall certainly oblige,” she remarked.
But as they headed toward a man selling books, Gracethought of Lord Hayewood. She had not yet seen him, though she kept hoping that she would. She was not completely certain that he would attend the fair. However, she hoped that if he did, he was enjoying himself, as well.
***
Gareth aimlessly wandered the ground of the village fair, wedged firmly between his mother and father, who walked closely on one side of him, and Lady Cecilia, who clung to his arm as though her existence hinged upon it. Her parents walked along behind them, and he could feel their eyes on him. It was as if none of the festivities around them were of any consequence to them. The only thing to which they were paying any attention was Gareth and his interactions with their daughter.
