AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The marchioness lowered the pile of letters. ‘What is on your
mind?’
‘I…was going to ask a favour. But it’s too big a thing to ask. I couldn’t impose on you like that.’
‘Please, ask!’ Letting go of the letters completely, the marchioness captured my hands in hers and squeezed. ‘You, young man, have been a godsend to this family. Anything that is in my power to give you will be yours.’
‘Well…’ I bit my lip in fake hesitation. Dear me, I was quite the accomplished little actress. ‘I was wondering whether I could possibly invite my sister to your Christmas festivities. Mr Ambrose and I have been travelling around the world, and I haven’t seen her in a long time. Besides, she would love the chance to attend an affair like this. But I see now it’s too much. Forget I ever mentioned it.’
‘Nonsense! I shall do nothing of the kind.’ A broad, motherly smile spread over Lady Samantha’s wrinkled face. ‘Your sister shall be as welcome here as you are! But…’ A frown marred her brow. ‘Won’t it be too late for her to attend? The festivities will start soon, and if she has to travel here all the way up from London-’
‘Don’t worry.’ I answered her smile with one of my own. ‘She’ll be here. I have a feeling she’s already quite close.’
Selfsame Siblings
Ding-dong…
The elderly tailor looked up from his books with a distracted little smile and nodded at me. ‘Welcome, Sir.’
‘Hello.’ I smiled back. ‘Are you the proprietor of this lovely little shop?’
‘Yes. Are you a customer?’ He chuckled. ‘Sorry for asking, but at this time of year, practically no one comes by here. I might get an occasional order for winter gloves from Battlewood Hall, but new faces are rare.’
‘I’m a guest at Battlewood. Linton is the name.’
‘Ah, that explains it.’ He gave a little arthritic bow. ‘Welcome to my humble shop, Mr Linton. Is there anything I might show you? Tailcoats? Top hats with a warm lining for the winter weather?’
‘No, thank you. I’d like to take a look at your dresses.’
The little man blinked. ‘Err…dresses? For women?’
‘I’ve yet to see ones for orang-utans. Oh, and I would also like to see your selection of bonnets, ribbons and parasols, if you have them.’
‘Um…well, yes, of course, Sir. May I enquire what the measurements of the lady in question are?’
I smiled brightly at him. ‘Mine.’
If the little man had been off-kilter before, this really did him in. ‘Yours, um…Sir?’
‘Oh yes. Hurry up a little and bring out what you have, will you? I’d like to be back at Battlewood in time for breakfast.’
Mumbling to himself, he hurried off into the back room, and not long after was back with several dresses slung over one arm and a selection of bonnets, ribbons and parasols in the other.
‘I must commend you,’ I said, smiling as I studied a magnificent red silk dress. ‘For such a small shop out in the country, you are amazingly well stocked. Just look at the detail in the hem! I’ve never worn a finer dress in my life!’
‘Err…worn, Sir?’
Instead of answering, I gifted him with another bright smile. ‘Where is the changing room, please?’
With a trembling hand, the little man pointed to a curtained-off area at the back of the room.
‘Thank you.’
I disappeared.
Twing.
Twong.
