Page 57 of The Most Eligible Viscount in London
“I would like tea.” Adeline tugged on her husband’s arm.
A large private parlor on the first floor had been reserved for the party. The landlord himself led them up a short flight of stairs, and Georgie now understood why the windows on one side of the building were taller. They had just finished their refreshments when the first carriage stopped at the inn.
She rose from her chair, causing Frits and Turley to jump up. “Shall we meet them in the yard?”
“Yes.” Turley took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “I am looking forward to the market, and if we let them in here the gentlemen will wish to have at least one drink.”
Once the other vehicles had deposited their passengers, Mary and Amanda with their husbands led the way to the market. When they arrived at the last building, Amanda announced, “We will meet back up at the inn in three hours. Although, if anyone becomes fatigued the landlord will be able to accommodate you.”
The party dispersed into the market. Georgie and Turley, by unspoken consent, went to the stands on the far side.
“Is there anything in particular you wish to purchase?” he asked.
“I think I shall buy some ribbons for my younger sister and something for Kit and Mary’s new baby.”
They passed a stand selling meat pies, and she was sorry she’d had so much to eat earlier.
Turley glanced at the pies as well and sighed. “Don’t you have a younger brother as well?”
“He is actually older than I am, but younger in that he is not yet on the Town.” She stopped at a stand carrying lace being sold by an older woman. “He is at Oxford preparing for a diplomatic career.”
Georgie picked up a length of the lace. “This looks as if it was made in Belgium.”
“You have a good eye, madam.” The seller brought out a piece of lace so exquisite that Georgie almost dropped her jaw.
Ferns and chrysanthemums seemed to dangle on vines. “This is a work of art.” She had done it now. Everyone knew never to let a vendor know how much you liked the wares. “How much is it?”
The woman named a price that was surprisingly on the reasonable side of expensive. “I try to keep my prices fair. It would cost much more in London.”
It was a good price. Still, it would take most of the money she had brought with her to buy it. Then again, even in Town one would be hard-pressed to find such beautiful lace. She would simply have to buy the rest of her presents later. “I shall take it.”
“A good decision, madam.” The seller carefully rolled the length and placed it in a small white cotton sack.
Georgie took the coins from her reticule, which was suddenly a great deal lighter. But what did that matter when she had enough of the lace for herself, her older sister, mother, and grandmother? “Thank you, madam.”
The only problem was that it would not fit in her reticule. She should have brought a maid or a footman.
“Allow me.” Turley took the bundle now wrapped in brown paper from the seller. “I could see from the look on your face that the lace was worth the price. I would be happy to give you—”
“I could not ask it of you,” Georgie knew she had cut him off, but there was nothing else she could have done. Her mother would be appalled if she accepted money from a gentleman to whom she was not betrothed. “It would not be appropriate.”
Even though Turley murmured his assent, he did not seem to be convinced. But there was nothing she could do about that either.
“Will you use all of the lace?” The package looked heavy, but he carried it as if it weighed nothing at all.
“No. I bought enough for my mother, older sister, and grandmother as well.”
“That was generous of you. My offer still stands.” His tone was hopeful.
But her ability to accept his offer had not changed. A different subject was in order. “Look, there is Lady Aurelia and Lord Lytton. Shall we join them?”
“No.” Turley started heading down one of the alleys made by the stalls and away from the couple.
Georgie knew he and Frits did not like the man because of the story they had heard. Still, it must have been several years ago, and the wrong had not been done to them. “He has always been pleasant to me.”
“He acts like a Cit.” His mumbled answer made no sense at all.
“I do not know what you mean by that.” Determined to discover the truth, she halted their progress. “I have met several Cits and they were all very pleasant men.”
