Page 42 of A Lady's Beastly Duke
“Here we are!” Camilla said with a grin as they reached the ribbon-seller's stall.
“Ooh! How beautiful,” Anastasia exclaimed, reaching up for a ribbon of pure blue silk, the color of the intense evening sky. It was beautiful and her heart thudded as she touched it. It was satiny-soft, and she longed to have it.
“How about this one!” Camilla exclaimed, reaching for a pink silk ribbon. It was a strong pink, and Camilla gestured to it, asking the stallholder to lift it down for her.
“It’s the same color as your gown—your pink ballgown,” Anastasia commented as Camilla held it up.
“How does it look?” Camilla asked, holding it against her hair.
“Maybe a little bright?” Anastasia replied, gazing at the ribbon. It was somewhere between strawberry pink and rose pink, and it showed less against Camilla’s red curls.
“I declare! I’d like to see it for myself,” Camilla replied, and the man behind the counter grinned.
“My lady, wait no longer. I have a looking glass for you to study it in.”
Camilla nodded. “Thank you,” she said briskly, and the man, still grinning at the two young ladies, brought out a silver looking glass with a rather ornate bronze frame. He held it for Camilla, who frowned at the effect, then grinned.
“I like it. And you?” she asked Anastasia. “What will you take?”
Anastasia gazed up at the blue ribbon. She longed for it—so much so that it hadn’t even occurred to her to buy it. She automatically assumed it would be beyond her pin-money. Not that her father was not generous, and more than generous, with both Lily and herself—but she had thought to save the money to purchase something more practical than silk ribbons.
“I...” she hesitated.
“I need a white one, actually,” Camilla commented, reaching up for a white satin one. “I have too many white gowns, and I need something new to put in my hair. I’m too tall for ostrich feathers.” She giggled.
“I think they could be quite becoming,” Anastasia commented, but Camilla was already reaching over to pay for her ribbons. Anastasia stepped back, studying the stall more closely. Perhaps there was something cheaper. She took another step back to see more.
“My lady...”
Anastasia frowned, hearing how Rachel hesitated. She turned around and shrieked as she bumped straight into someone.
“Oh! So sorry,” she exclaimed, holding up a hand. As she did so, she stared.
The Duke of Willowick stared back.
For a second, they said nothing to one another. Anastasia gazed up at him, joy rushing through each part of her as she beheld his green eyes. He stared at her and she stared back, and she could think of nothing to say, other than how delighted she was to see him and how sorely horrid the last week was, not having spotted him once.
He gazed back at her, his lips moving into a small silent exclamation of surprise for a second. Then he recovered and lifted his hat, bowing low to the three women.
“Good afternoon,” he greeted them. His gaze never moved from Anastasia’s own.
“Your Grace,” Anastasia murmured, dropping a low curtsey. She straightened up, and Camilla straightened up too.
“You are visiting the market?” Camilla asked. Her voice was filled with genuine surprise and the duke smiled.
“I suppose it is not strictly in my duties?” he asked. “I was, as it happens, on my way from my solicitor’s office when I spotted the market. I thought to stop at the silversmith’s there, since I wished to purchase a gift for my sister.”
“Your solicitor?” Camilla asked boldly. She always was bold. “I trust nothing bad?”
The duke grinned. “No. As it happens, just a matter I wish him to discuss with the accountant. A slight matter.”
Anastasia smiled. His gaze caught hers and she felt as though she was drowning in those wide green eyes. She gazed up at him, her heart racing. No thought was in her mind, other than her joy.
“Are you ladies finding purchases to make?” he asked, clearing his throat and still holding her stare. She smiled.
“I bought these,” Camilla commented, interrupting. “Anastasia there hasn’t chosen yet. Mayhap you could help her?” She grinned at him.
Anastasia stared at Camilla. She felt confused. Was Camilla trying to make the duke and herself talk? She saw her friend turn pointedly away, focusing on the ribbons and discussing prices with the stallholder as though she wanted to give them time together.
