Page 33 of Her Baseborn Bridegroom

Linnet laughed and both Chilton and Enid turned curious eyes on her. “It was very kind of her to lend it to me. You see,” she explained with a shrug. “As an invalid, I have never had need of one before.”

“Well you are an invalid no more,” said Enid warmly and she shot a look at her brother-in-law.

Chilton looked amused. “Such a fascinating story,” he said.

“I hope you don’t mind,” said Enid. “I’m afraid Lady Jauncey has been spreading the story far and wide.”

“Not at all,” Linnet hastened to assure her. “Indeed, I am heartily glad to hear it. Perhaps then people will stop expecting me to limp or have a hunched back.”

Chilton laughed again. “What a pair of villains those Jevonses were!” he marveled. “Poor Mother is most put out.”

He kept up a steady flow of conversation as they made their way into town, and Linnet found him most entertaining. Enid was quieter today and seemed content to let Chilton lead the small talk. Once they reached town, he was a veritable godsend, hailing the shoemaker as an old friend and insisting that the oldest Hatton son, Jonathan, be commissioned to make her both a pair of outdoor ankle boots and a pair of sturdier leather shoes.

“Johnny has the lightest touch,” said Chilton fondly and Jonathan Hatton cleared his throat, blushing like a boy even though he had to be in his mid-twenties.

Old Mr. Hatton measured Linnet’s feet and scribbled down the proportions. “A very dainty foot, milady,” he said. “With delicate arches.”

It crossed Linnet’s mind he might have been expecting bunions, but she tried not to mind as she smiled at the old man and left her down payment for the work.

“Lady Linnet will no doubt have much trade for you from the castle now she has taken over from her aunt,” said Enid imperiously. “You do realize she is Linnet Cadwallader that was?”

All three of Mr. Hatton’s sons turned to stare at her in wonder.

“A miraculous recovery my lady,” said the shoemaker. “Allow us to congratulate you on your restored health.”

“Er, thank you,” said Linnet breathlessly, she could feel her face filling with color. It must look quite hideous with all her freckles! “You’re very kind.”

Mr. Postner the tailor greeted Sir Chilton just as warmly as the cobbler and agreed to visit Castle Cadwallader in a week’s time to measure Linnet for a full set of outdoor wear. He was goggle-eyed at the idea of making clothes for the Cadwallader invalid bride. “A fur-lined hood and gloves,” he murmured, jotting down notes. “To keep Lady Linnet snug and warm.”

“He will dine off this tale for weeks,” murmured Enid.

“A very elegant figure,” he pronounced. “And now your health is stabilized, who knows, perhaps you will need a full court wardrobe in time?” he rubbed his hands together in anticipation of new commissions.

“I am quite sure that Lady Linnet’s social engagements will necessitate many new gowns,” said Sir Chilton with confidence as he leant against the counter, looking through sketches. “As for myself, I find myself in need of a new tunic for Lawton. This current one really does not make the most of his remarkable physique.”

Mr. Postner hurried around to take Lawton’s measurements as Enid rolled her eyes at Linnet.

“One of Chilton’s many quirks,” she said in an aside. “He dresses his favorite manservants almost as well as himself.”

Linnet looked over at Lawton whose current outfit was certainly very fine.

“I can understand that,” she said, running a hand over Cuthbert’s blond bobbed hair. “I always like for Cuthbert to look neat and tidy.”

Cuthbert’s eyes were as round as the pennies he kept jingling in his pocket. “We’re not going back to the castle yet are we?” he asked anxiously as they exited the tailor’s establishment.

“Certainly not,” expostulated Sir Chilton. “A meat pie and a nice flagon of ale is what we all need now, and I know just the place!”

“Not an inn,” said Enid with misgiving. “Some of them are rather rough in town,” she said to Linnet in explanation.

“Fear not, dear sister-in-law,” said Chilton. “We have Lawton here to protect us,” he said, slapping his well-built footman on the back. “And besides, I have the coin to procure us a private room away from the common rabble.”

Enid pursed her lips and slipped her arm through Linnet’s.

Cuthbert danced a little two-step along the street. “I sometimes come into this one with my grandmother,” he told Linnet as Sir Chilton led them to a large timbered building with a sign reading “The Bear & Staff”. “Some man tried to pick Gran’s pocket and she put a curse on him.”

“A curse?” echoed Enid in surprise.

“Cuthbert’s grandmother is a wise woman,” explained Linnet quietly as she ducked through the door.