With both James and Lady Margaret gone, Julian found himself in the unexpected but welcome position of being alone with Caroline. He quietly followed her as she wandered over to a local merchant stall, praying that his presence would help bring her comfort.
“Oh, red-skinned Pippin apples. I haven’t had any of these in ages!” she exclaimed.
It was the first time since they had arrived that Caroline had shown any spark of her usual self. She pulled a handful of coins from her reticule and, with a smile, handed them to the stallholder. “Six of your finest Pippins, please.”
The man handed a small cloth bag of apples over to her which, despite Caroline’s protests, Julian insisted on carrying.
“You are my guest,” he said.
When she rewarded him with a smile, Julian saw an opening. He plucked up his courage. “I know it might be a little forward, but would you care to sit and have a hot drink somewhere? There are a number of places around the market that are in the open where we could sit. I get the impression you could do with a cup of tea.”
“Thank you, that would be nice. I could also do with some food. I didn’t have any breakfast before we left,” she replied.
They found a nearby stall that was selling hot pies. Julian chuckled at the sound of Caroline’s stomach rumbling when they got close. His own stomach added to the chorus as he took in the appetizing smell of the roast beef pies.
He caught the attention of the pie man. “Two beef pies, please.”
They stood to one side of the stall, near to a high brick wall, and tucked into the pies. The pastry was crispy on the top, but once he bit down, his tongue tasted the rich gravy and beef treasure inside.
“Oh, this is good. Thank you,” said Caroline.
Her smile was all the thanks Julian needed. If she was happy, then so was he. She nodded in the direction of the tea shop, and he waved as Lady Margaret made her way over to them.
“Derbyshire pies. Is there anything better?” said Lady Margaret.
Julian took the packets of tea that she had bought and put them into the bag with the apples. He was enjoying a day out at the local town market far more than a man of his social status should. And he was no fool in recognizing that it was due to the presence of the young woman standing beside him.
A young woman who had a healthy appetite when it came to locally baked pies. He swallowed deep as he watched her lick the sauce from her fingertips.
“Well I have some other errands to attend to while we are here. If the two of you are content to continue to wander the market, I can meet you in a little while. Then we can partake of luncheon somewhere,” said Lady Margaret.
Julian held his breath. He was grateful that Lady Margaret had read the mood between himself and Caroline. Further steps had been taken in progressing their friendship, and he was keen to hold the ground he had made.
“I passed by a stall selling woolen goods on my way here. With any luck, you might be able to find the mittens you were seeking,” added Lady Margaret.
When they finished the rest of their midmorning snack, Julian and Caroline headed over to the edge of the town square in search of the woolen goods stall. It was close by the Union Inn. Caroline, oddly, did not make any mention of her long-delayed cousin. Instead, she put her head down and began to examine the selection of mittens that were on display.
“I think these might do the trick,” she said, picking up a pair of green mittens and showing them to Julian.
“I didn’t realize your hands were getting that cold,” he replied.
She carefully slipped her damaged hand inside one of the mittens and held it up. “Perfect. Now I may be able to ice-skate. That is, if the offer to use your ice pond is still open.”
Julian hurriedly nodded. “Absolutely. I will have the grounds staff check it as soon as we return to the castle. If your snow dancing is anything to go by, I know you will be an amazing sight on the ice.”
She reached into her reticule and withdrew her purse, she took out a handful of coins and handed them over.
While Caroline was busy settling her purchase with the stallholder, James appeared from the tavern, leading two other gentlemen.
Julian waved at James, who hurried toward them. “Your cousin appears to have found his friends.”
Caroline stilled at his words, only stirring once again when the stallholder shook the coins in his hand and she finally took her change.
“Newhall, good to see you. May I introduce my friends. This is Timothy Walters and Timothy Smith, otherwise known as ‘the two Tims,’” said James.
Julian took one look at James’s friends and the blood in his veins turned to ice. While one of the Timothys was a complete stranger, the other was someone Julian had encountered before. Timothy Walters. Timothy of the dance card argument, and lurker on the fringe of Caroline’s court of admirers. Another rival for her affections.
Good manners meant he had no choice other than to shake hands with both men. Caroline, meanwhile, kept her back turned to the group.
