Page 24 of Betting on a Duke
Mrs. Shelley twisted Clarice’s hair into a nice, neat chignon, and secured it with multiple pins. To complete her outfit, she placed Clarice’s bonnet on her head and secured it with several pearl hat pins and a ribbon sash tied to the side beneath her chin.
“See, you look perfect.” Mrs. Shelley helped her stand and patted her arm. “You are a vision. Perhaps you will see your gentleman friend during your shopping outing.”
Her mouth dropped open, then she quickly closed it. “I never said my friend was a man. Perhaps she is a lady friend I haven’t seen in forever.”
“Not by the twinkle in your eye and the smile on your face this morning. Your friend is most definitely a man. And good for you, my lady.”
Clarice’s stomach fluttered at the thought that she might see Samuel today. He did know she was shopping on Bond Street. So perhaps. “Thank you, Mrs. Shelley, for everything. I don’t know what I woulddo without you.”
She dabbed at her teary eyes. “Oh, pish-posh, my dear lady. You would do just fine without little ole’ me taking care of you.”
She did something she’d always wanted to do but never had. Clarice hugged her—quickly, not wanting to ruin everything Mrs. Shelley had worked so hard on. Before tears welled up in her own eyes, she headed toward the door, paused, and then turned around. “Mrs. Shelley, we forgot my walking boots.”
“Oh my, we can’t have you leaving the house in your stockings. What will the neighbors say? Sit down. Let me get them.” She hurried into the dressing room and returned carrying a green drawstring pouch and two brown walking boots that tied at the mid-calf. “Now you are ready.”
“I am.”
When Clarice reached the front door, Williamson bowed and said, “Lady Rutherford’s carriage has just arrived.” He opened the door.
She exited and, with the help of Letitia’s footman, Clarice entered the carriage and sat beside her friend. “Thank you for picking me up. What a lovely day for shopping.”
“Yes. It is,” Letitia replied with a smile. “Perhaps we should go to Gunter’s for ices or confections after shopping.”
“Yes, that’s perfect. Where should we go first?”
“I was thinking about Marietta’s Milliner Shop. I could use a new cream bonnet. I left mine on my bed, and the new puppy tore it apart. Little Freckles is quite the naughty puppy, but I love him, and Percy smiles and giggles whenever he sees him. It warms my heart. They are nearly inseparable. Just last night, I caught Freckles sneaking into his room and curling up on the foot of his bed.”
“How sweet,” Clarice said, thinking of Letitia’s precious little boy. A heaviness and sadness tugged at her heart. She shook her head—no sense torturing herself with the past when what was done was done. “I could use several pairs of white kid gloves for all our upcoming socialevents. Some of mine have yellowed from overuse and cleaning. I know Mrs. Shelley frets over getting them back to pure white, but it’s time to admit they are old and worn. And some colorful pairs will be fun for the daytime.”
“You must,” Letitia commented.
“I know. You should too. Tell me, how was your time with Greyson last night?”
Letitia sighed and relaxed against the squabs. “He is so handsome and kind and witty. It’s strange, but I feel as though I’ve known him for longer than I have. How is that possible?”
“It happens, or so I’ve been told. Two souls meet and connect.”
The carriage came to a gentle, rolling stop. A footman opened the door, lowered the stairs, and helped them out of the carriage one by one.
“Thank you, Herbert,” said Letitia. “We will be shopping for a while.”
Arm in arm, they entered the fray of fashionably dressed shoppers strolling down Bond Street. Some window shopped, while others went into the shops to make purchases. Clarice and Letitia nodded to acquaintances as they navigated the crowds. Clarice should have known that on a pleasant day, weather-wise, Bond Street would bring out the shoppers en masse.
“Marietta’s is just ahead,” Letitia said.
When they reached the door, it opened, and several ladies exited the shop. One of them spoke, “Good luck, my ladies. It’s a veritable crush inside.”
“Thank you for the warning,” Clarice said as they went in anyway. “Maybe there’s a sale. I’ve never seen so many buying bonnets.”
“Oh, look,” Letitia said as she approached a display filled with bonnets in every color imaginable. She picked up an ivory one with a wide brim across the front, but not in the back. It was trimmed with white and ivory ribbon and flowers, and tied beneath the chin withwide ivory ribbon.
“It’s lovely,” Clarice said. “Try it on.”
Letitia removed her hat, put it on, and turned to her, smiling. “It fits perfectly. How does it look?”
“It’s like it was made for you. The contrast against your dark hair is striking, and your blue-and-cream dress looks lovely. I would wear it today.”
“I shall.”
