Giff had felt disconnected from his family when he’d been at school. “I remember returning from school and so much had changed. My sisters married when I was away and were no longer there. It was very strange. But your brothers were present.”
“Yes.” Alice nodded. “Matt sends a coach for them whenever there is a holiday or school break.” She appeared thoughtful for a moment, then said, “Now, you are going to meet Bobby Fields. He’s still quite young but has a good head. His father was a middleman. After his untimely death, Bobby inherited the business. He is being trained in it as well as in the end result of what happens to the produce. The whole story is rather long. I will tell you it some other time.”
They made their way from the bookstore to Bond Street and a grocer’s shop. A boy was speaking to customers as an older man looked on with approval.
“Mr. Robbins,” Alice said. “We have a matter for Bobby when he has a moment.”
“Yes, my lady. Let him finish with this customer, and he’ll be right with you.”
“Yes, of course.” She smiled politely.
This child owned a business? At first Giff couldn’t believe it, but in the peerage it happened all the time. A father would die, and a child would be the new peer. He really had to expand his way of thinking. He waited next to her while the customer completed the purchase.
“Lady Alice.” He grinned. “How may I help you?”
“Good day.” She indicated Giff. “My lord, this is Mr. Robert Fields who we call Bobby. Bobby, this is Lord St. Albans.”
Bobby stuck out his hand. “Good day, my lord.”
Giff took the smaller hand in his. This was the second time today he’d seen children acting like the adults they would be. “Good day, sir. Do you happen to know if your firm represents Whippoorwill Manor?”
Bobby flattened his lips and his forehead wrinkled. “The name doesn’t sound familiar, and I’d remember a name like that.” He looked at Giff. “Just to make sure I’ll write to Crampton, my assistant, and ask him.”
“Thank you,” Alice and Giff said at the same time.
That was the very last time he would underestimate a child. “The property is near St. Albans if that helps.”
“Yes, thank you. If we do not handle the manor, I shall find out who does.”
“Thank you, Bobby. Mr. Robbins, have a good day,” Alice said.
“Yes, thank you for your time.” Giff strolled off with her. This had been an extremely informative day. “Do you have any shopping to do, or are you going home?”
She glanced at him and tilted her head slightly. “I think I would like to go to the Burlington Arcade.”
He inclined his head. “It would be my pleasure to escort you.”
Alice was happy to have someone with whom to go shopping. She really missed her sisters. “Do you know anything about ladies’ accessories?”
St. Albans gave her an almost wicked look. “You might be surprised at what I know.” They retraced their steps to Piccadilly. When they arrived at the arcade, he unerringly led her to the shop Alice and her sisters had gone to for their fans. “Now what are you looking for or are you browsing?”
“Hmm. I am not sure. If I find something that catches my eye, I might purchase it.” She really did not need anything. But she had so little to do.
“This would look well with any of your evening gowns.” He held up an exquisite fan with a Pomona green background painted with gold and trimmed with gold lace.
From experience, she knew it would cost most of the rest of her allowance. “It is beautiful, but a bit dear for me at the moment.”
“At low ebb, I see. It is close to quarter day.” He turned back to the fans. “What about this one?”
The fan was painted a pretty turquoise with people wearing Georgian dress. It too would go well with most of her evening gowns, and it was not nearly as costly. “That is perfect.”
St. Albans bowed. “I am at your service, my lady.” He wandered around the shop and picked up a reticule of Pomona green silk with a silver frame. He and Lord Bury thought along the same lines when it came to a good color for her. “A few seed pearls, and this will be perfect.”
He was right. It was too plain as it was. “What a good eye you have.”
“Thank you.” A smile lurked in his green eyes.
Williams coughed. “My lady. You will not wish to be late for luncheon.”
