Page 17 of How to Best a Marquess

Chapter Five

A tall, thin shopkeeper with a head of gray hair and a white walrus mustache stood behind the counter. A piece of wood was clamped in a vice, and he used a plane to shave off curls of wood. A pipe rested between his lips, and the scent of spiced tobacco lingered in the shop. She wondered what the piece of wood would become.

“Hello, Mr. Weber,” Ellie said.

The man lowered his pipe. His brow furrowed as his gaze focused on Ellie, then he smiled, revealing brown, crooked teeth. “It is delightful to see you, my lady. How is your brother, Lord Castleton?”

The shopkeeper was also the skilled tradesman who had made custom gambling tables for Ian in the past.

“Well. He and the countess are expecting their first child.”

“Wonderful.” He set his tool on a bench and rubbed his hands on his leather apron. “How can I be of assistance?”

“Lord Castleton will soon require additional gambling tables.” It wasn’t exactly true. Ellie required them for the ladies’ gambling room, but she saw no need to clarify the difference. “But at the present, we need other items. A settee, a number of chairs, and a four-poster bed.”

“I’ll need to begin work on the gaming tables. Meanwhile, I have furnishings in the back room,” Mr. Weber said. “As for a four-poster, you are fortunate. A customer requested one, then never returned to claim it. It is also in the back. Please feel free to peruse the items.”

“Thank you.”

Once again, Alice stayed in the front of the shop as Ellie made her way to the back room. The large storage space was crammed with rows of furniture the tradesman had made. Ellie inspected chairs with clawed feet; a chaise; a sofa made of mahogany and upholstered with bolster cushions, which could comfortably seat three; walnut and oak side tables with slim legs; and even a music stand. The four-poster was in the far corner. The frame was made of lovely rosewood and was sturdy. A mattress would have to be purchased separately.

Ellie’s requirements were simple. She sought a comfortable place for repose while Violet Lasher arranged for a lady to disappear into the countryside—far away from her abusive husband or male family member.

Violet’s contacts were vast, and Ellie marveled at the courtesan’s ability to alter a lady’s appearance and hide her away forever. Violet did not just cut a lady’s hair with shears and clothe her differently. Violet transformed them. Hair dyes, cosmetics, and clothing all came into play. Ellie’s efforts could not succeed without Violet.

Ellie tallied the items she required in her mind just as raised voices sounded from the front of the shop.

A very distinctive male voice.

Oh no.She had little time to grab her reticule when Hugh Vere burst into the room. Alice was right behind him.

“I tried to stop him, my lady,” Alice said, her expression pained.

Ellie struggled to calm her racing heart. “It’s fine, Alice.”

Mr. Weber appeared in the doorway. “Is all well?”

“Of course,” Ellie said, her mind quickly coming up with an excuse. “The marquess is a friend. He offered to drive us home in his carriage.”

Mr. Weber’s expression eased. “Is the bed to your liking, my lady? I can arrange to have it delivered straightaway.”

Her stomach tilted at the mention of the bed in front of Hugh. She knew it would unleash a slew of questions from him, but she had little choice. She needed the bed for her private chamber. “Yes, please arrange for it,” she said to the shopkeeper.

“A bed?” Hugh asked.

Ellie’s expression strained, but she kept her smile. “Alice’s elderly aunt has come to live with her, and Alice requires a new bed. Isn’t that correct, Alice?”

Alice paled, her skin turning the color of old bone, but she caught on quickly and nodded in agreement. “Aunt Henrietta is unwell.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, miss,” Mr. Weber said.

“Oh, yes. A horrible case of gout,” Alice said. She took the shopkeeper’s arm, glanced at Ellie, then steered the shopkeeper away, all the while chattering about her aunt’s “condition.” Ellie was left alone with Hugh in the back room.

She attempted to sweep by him, but he was quick to grasp her arm. “Not so fast. I did not appreciate being abandoned in a draper’s shop.”

“You asked to accompany me. You did not say everywhere. Besides, you were getting along marvelously with the draper.”

He shook his head. “I suspected subterfuge.”