“I don’t know,” Audrey said.
“May I secure your packages, ladies?” the footman asked.
“Thank you, Andrew. That would be most helpful,” Audrey said, handing him their packages.
It took only another moment before Lord Fletcher exited the bookshop next door and walked toward them.
“Lord Fletcher, you must see what we bought,” Mia said.
The baron smiled. “I’d love to; you can show me when we return home. Have you all finished your shopping? Or is there another stop we need to make?”
“Everything is quite in hand, Lord Fletcher,” Audrey said, placing her hand on Mia’s arm to silence her younger sister from saying anything more. “It would be best if we headed home now.” She had no intention of informinghim that she didn’t have a suitable dress for this evening and would need the day to alter one of her mother’s.
“Of course, if that’s what you wish,” he said, handing the women into the hackney.
Andrew hopped on the back.
Once they arrived home, Jacob touched Miss Parker’s arm before she left his company. “Miss Parker, may I have a word, please?”
“Of course, my lord,” she said as she followed him into the drawing room. Could he finally be ready to talk about their kiss?
He held out a small brown package.
“My lord, there is no need for you to buy me anything. You have been most generous thus far.”
“I know how much you love to read, and I thought you’d enjoy this.”
She unwrapped the package, and her eyes widened when she saw the gift. “Oh my,Sense and Sensibility.Thank you for this lovely gift. I shall treasure it,” she said with a smile.
“I’m glad you are pleased.”
Audrey waited a moment to see if he would say anything more, but he did not. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said, hurrying up to her bedchamber, eager to start on the alterations to her mother’s dress. She had no time to waste if she wanted to finish the dress in time.
“Of course. I’ll see you later.”
Grace was in her bedchamber waiting for her.
“Do you need help?” Grace asked.
“Not with the dress, but would you mind helping me with my hair later? I bought enough ribbon to weave some through my curls.”
“Of course. I’ll see you later.”
Grace left, closing the door behind her, while Audrey opened the armoire and pulled out the pink silk. She examined the dress with a critical eye, knowing exactly how she could alter it to make it look like a new gown. She worked straight through luncheon on the alterations, and the light had faded when she finally finished.
There was a knock on her door. She put the dress on the bed and started for the door. “Come.”
Grace walked in. “Audrey, you’ve not eaten all day. I’ve brought you a plate.”
“Thank you, Grace. That was very thoughtful. I must admit I’m quite famished.”
“Have you finished the dress?” Grace asked, putting the plate on the small table beside the bed.
“I have. It’s just there. What do you think?”
Grace picked up the dress before turning to her. “Oh, Audrey, it’s exquisite. You did a beautiful job on the alterations. No one would ever guess it was one of Mama’s dresses.”
“Thank you. I’m quite pleased with it.”
