Page 39 of The Lyon’s Paw

“Thank you, Joan.” Diana smiled at the girl, eager to see the progress of her winter wardrobe. There had been an unusually early fall of snow followed by a period of bitter cold and Diana had found her current gowns sadly lacking in sufficient warmth as well as style. She’d been anxious for Mr. Farley to pronounce her fit for travel—she’d actually had her trunk packed for several days awaiting the doctor’s approval—which he had done after several days of hemming and hawing about resting her foot for a period of time each day. Considering her newfound intimacy with her husband, that had not proved difficult, although in truth they had not actually rested very much. And now they had finally arrived in London yesterday, on the first day of November.

“I’ll go get her immediately.” Joan whirled around and all but ran from the room, snatching the curtain open that separated the showroom from the rest of the establishment, then closing it just as quickly.

“I told you not to terrorize the servants, Geoffrey.” Diana grinned at her husband, then turned to gaze at several different gowns displayed on the wicker mannequins around the shop. “I see Mrs. George has been busy since my earlier visit.”

“I did no such thing, Diana. I didn’t even speak to the girl.” He gave her a stern look, but his eyes twinkled.

“You do not have to say anything, my dear. The very sight of you can cause alarm apparently.” She dearly loved sparring with him. He was so much fun to tease. “Please, I beg of you, do not strike fear into Mrs. George or I will never have a set of decent clothing. Just look at this.” She pointed to a stunning, deep red evening gown with cascades of lace flounces at the bottom and a very low-cut bodice, trimmed with ruffles and lace. “This is exquisite.”

Geoffrey followed her, bending his head until he could whisper in her ear. “I promise you, I will be as pleasant as I am able.”

“Then I fear I am lost and will have to resort to making my own clothes.” Diana pursed her lips at him, pouting playfully. “And I vow I can never make anything so beautiful as this.”

“I agree it would look magnificent on you,” he lowered his voice further, “and even more so coming off you.”

“Good morning, my lord.” Mrs. George appeared through the curtain, and Geoffrey moved away from her. “Lady Longford, how nice to see you again.” She curtsied to Diana. “I was so pleased to receive your note saying you were in town for your fittings. I think you will be very pleased with the results of our last meeting.” She turned to Geoffrey. “I believe you will be please as well, my lord.”

“If that is the case, Mrs. George, I will certainly be in your debt.” Geoffrey spoke up forcefully and Diana winced.

Thank goodness he’d not been present at their last meeting. She would have to take over quickly before her husband’s fierce countenance put the modiste ill at ease today. “Lord Longford was just leaving us, Mrs. George.” She sent her husband a pointed look. “Weren’t you, my dear? So Mrs. George and I can get on with the fittings, which would be very tedious for you.” She gave him a stern look. “I think you can call for me in about three hours, my lord.”

Geoffrey’s eyebrows shot up, but he shrugged and nodded. “Are you sure that will be enough time, my lady?”

Diana smiled sweetly at him. Such a dear man. “If not, I can send you off again when you return.”

“Very well, ladies.” He doffed his hat, sent Diana a smoldering look, then took himself off.

“Now, my lady. Would you like tea before we begin? I can tell you about the progress I’ve made with each gown.” Mrs. George rang a bell and the skittish clerk appeared instantly.

“Yes, thank you, Mrs. George.”

“Mary, tell Cook to put the kettle on and bring tea to the drawing room.” Mrs. George smiled broadly at Diana. “I think you are going to be more than pleased, my lady.”

“I am certain I will be, Mrs. George.” She followed the woman into the drawing room. Oh, but she was going to enjoy this.

Geoffrey had the carriage take him to Fleet Street, then return to Mrs. George’s in the event Diana needed to go to another shop for gloves or stockings. Also, he liked walking in the city, even in the chilly air. After the bout of snow they’d had, the weather had taken a turn for the better, and he wished to take advantage of it, even if the wind was brisk. Besides, he had several errands of his own he wished to run without his wife’s knowledge.

The first of these stops was a call at Stone & Sons Jewelers in Fleet Street. His father had often bought jewelry for his mother there, always excellent pieces. He thought he would continue that tradition and order several pieces for Diana to wear during the Christmas festivities, with one special piece for Christmas Day itself. He’d been planning this little shopping trip ever since he and his wife had become intimate. Such a devoted companion deserved the admiration these jewels would convey to her. Admiration and hopefully something more. His feelings for her had deepened tremendously, and he hoped this gift would give him the courage to tell her so.

He opened the door of Stone’s and entered, his heart speeding up with the anticipation of shopping here. Geoffrey had never bought jewelry for a woman before. Suddenly, it seemed like a daunting task. So much to take into consideration, such as the lady’s preferences, not to mention the gowns she was procuring at this very minute.

Geoffrey sighed as he entered the shop. Even though he now knew a great deal about his wife, he still felt as though he didn’t know her all that well. Hopefully what he had discovered during their moments of intimate contact would stand him in good stead now.

“Good morning, my lord.” A tall, blond gentleman spoke respectfully to him. “May I help you?”

“Yes, I’m looking for several pieces of jewelry for my wife. We married recently and I wish to make a wedding present of one piece, and a Christmas gift of another.” Geoffrey’s gaze strayed to the case spread out before him on the table, which held an array of beautiful pieces. “Anything else I decide on will simply be in appreciation of the lady and her utterly ill-advised decision to marry me.”

A huge grin split the man’s face. “I understand the sentiment, my lord. I told my parents not to hold their breaths waiting for me to marry. I doubt there’s a lady with that little sense anywhere in London.”

“Are you one of the “& Sons” over the door?” Geoffrey had accompanied his father several times when he shopped here and thought he recognized the man.

“I am, my lord. Garnet Stone, the eldest son.” As he spoke, he drew trays of necklaces out of the case. “Are you looking for something in particular, perhaps for your wedding present? A lovely diamond pendant, perhaps? There’s nothing that catches the light like a diamond.”

“I actually wish to be most extravagant with the wedding present.” Geoffrey had thought about this purchase almost nightly since he’d come up with the idea. He’d been very pleased when the autumn harvest had yielded a much higher sum than he’d expected. And though he didn’t intend to squander his funds, he wanted to make a grand gesture for Diana, giving her something elaborate that would show her, in no uncertain terms, just how he felt about her. “I was thinking a parure, with three or four pieces.”

“Indeed, my lord.” The young man stopped in the act of withdrawing another tray, which now hung suspended over the case. “That will be a grand gesture for your lady.” He tucked the tray back into the case, the other trays following that one as well. “Allow me a moment to summon my father. He would be disappointed not to have helped you with this very special purchase.”

Before Geoffrey could say a word, Mr. Garnet Stone had departed through the door in the back of the shop. He couldn’t really fault the lad for wanting his father present for such a large purchase. The elder Mr. Stone would likely become apoplectic when he discovered he was to be paid with ready money and not credit. It wouldn’t have come close to saving the property, but it now gave him breathing room to get the properties back on their feet. And a little surplus he could happily spend on his wife without having to ask her for funds.