Page 74 of Duke in Darkness

“Can I help you sir? Madam?” said a slender and pleasant-voiced clerk.

Lilian turned and smiled as she handed over one of her engraved cards. “The Duke and Duchess of Exton to see Mr. Hoby if he is available.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” said the man, bowing low. “One moment.”

Shortly afterward, an older, neatly dressed gentleman marched toward them. “Ah, Colonel Jordan-Ives. Excuse me, Exton. Thought you had abandoned me for a far inferior supplier.”

Gabriel shot her an amused glance, before inclining his head to the master bootmaker. “Never, Hoby.”

“What can I do for you today?”

Lilian cleared her throat. “I shall explain so not to cause His Grace’s scar to ache. My husband requires new shoes. Several pairs. But they will need to be a little different from most.”

Mr. Hoby raised an eyebrow. “My shoes are always different from most, madam.”

“Oh, of course,” she demurred, suppressing a laugh. Xavier’s eye-rolling, nasal-voiced impressions had nearly captured the breathtaking arrogance of the man, but not quite. “However, I am speaking of a need to accommodate Exton’s war injuries. Specifically damage to the sole of his foot. Perhaps some extra padding so walking is more comfortable.”

The bootmaker’s gaze softened slightly, and he turned to Gabriel. “I always enjoy a challenge. Not often it’s the sole injured, eh? Do come and sit over here, Exton. With your permission, may I remove your boot and take some measurements?”

Gabriel nodded hesitantly. “Must warn you. It’s…not pretty.”

Mr. Hoby snorted as he assisted Gabriel into a chair and expertly removed his Hessians. “Good heavens, sir. I have crafted the finest boots and most exquisite shoes for the ugliest feet in Christendom. Delicate sensibilities have no place in this business. Nor should they.”

Pressing her fingers to her lips, Lilian fought valiantly against a fit of giggles. Only a mock-warning glance from her husband kept her silent. But clearly the bootmaker was a true master of his trade, as he whipped out a tape measure, pencil and paper. His jaw tightened when he saw the underside of Gabriel’s foot, but he thankfully made no comment, instead muttering something about cotton padding and silk and beaten leather.

Then he stood up. “Now, Your Grace. As appropriate for your elevated station, I presume you’ll require all new boots, formal and informal shoes?”

“Yes,” said Gabriel, looking a little stunned.

“Then I shall send a runner to Grosvenor Square when they are ready, and my invoice shortly afterward. Good day to you both.”

Lilian blinked as the man marched away as quickly as he’d arrived. “I think,” she choked out with mirth, “that we have been dismissed.”

He nodded solemnly. “Onto our next stop, then.”

“Where do you want to go?” she asked as they walked back out onto the footpath, and climbed into the waiting carriage.

“I thought perhaps…Ludgate Hill.”

Oh.

“Any particular address?” she said lightly.

“The jeweler,” he said seriously. “Today has been…good. Hoby treated me like any other man. And with you to help with the lengthy explanations…I’m ready to go back.”

Lilian smiled and grasped his hand. “Of course. By the by, my reticule beating offer still stands.”

They sat in companionable silence during the journey to Ludgate Hill, but she could see his shoulders tensing as they neared their destination. Truth be told, she was a little nervous. Her previous visit was not something she wanted disclosed. She had meant it with the best of intentions, but it might make him angry that she had interfered.

Despite the usual crush of carriages and carts on the streets, it didn’t take as long as expected to get to Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, and soon they were outside the cream stone building.

Gabriel gave her a faint smile. “Try to refrain from fisticuffs. I daresay they are as unwelcome…in high-end jewelry shops, as ballrooms.”

“Really, Exton,” she replied with a disdainful sniff. “I am a lady. A reticule beating or heel to the instep is far more refined. Or perhaps a sharp knee to a location guaranteed to hurt.”

His eyes widened. “Remind me to stay…in your good graces.”

“A happier place to be,” she replied pertly, as she pushed open the shop door and the bell tinkled faintly. Good gracious, Gabriel became even more attractive when he laughed. Still decidedly pirate-like, but relaxed, the lines of strain and fatigue around his eyes eased.