“You have a good eye, madam.” The seller brought out a piece of lace so exquisite that Georgie almost dropped her jaw.
Ferns and chrysanthemums seemed to dangle on vines. “This is a work of art.” She had done it now. Everyone knew never to let a vendor know how much you liked the wares. “How much is it?”
The woman named a price that was surprisingly on the reasonable side of expensive. “I try to keep my prices fair. It would cost much more in London.”
It was a good price. Still, it would take most of the money she had brought with her to buy it. Then again, even in Town one would be hard-pressed to find such beautiful lace. She would simply have to buy the rest of her presents later. “I shall take it.”
“A good decision, madam.” The seller carefully rolled the length and placed it in a small white cotton sack.
Georgie took the coins from her reticule, which was suddenly a great deal lighter. But what did that matter when she had enough of the lace for herself, her older sister, mother, and grandmother? “Thank you, madam.”
The only problem was that it would not fit in her reticule. She should have brought a maid or a footman.
“Allow me.” Turley took the bundle now wrapped in brown paper from the seller. “I could see from the look on your face that the lace was worth the price. I would be happy to give you—”
“I could not ask it of you,” Georgie knew she had cut him off, but there was nothing else she could have done. Her mother would be appalled if she accepted money from a gentleman to whom she was not betrothed. “It would not be appropriate.”
Even though Turley murmured his assent, he did not seem to be convinced. But there was nothing she could do about that either.
“Will you use all of the lace?” The package looked heavy, but he carried it as if it weighed nothing at all.
“No. I bought enough for my mother, older sister, and grandmother as well.”
“That was generous of you. My offer still stands.” His tone was hopeful.
But her ability to accept his offer had not changed. A different subject was in order. “Look, there is Lady Aurelia and Lord Lytton. Shall we join them?”
“No.” Turley started heading down one of the alleys made by the stalls and away from the couple.
Georgie knew he and Frits did not like the man because of the story they had heard. Still, it must have been several years ago, and the wrong had not been done to them. “He has always been pleasant to me.”
“He acts like a Cit.” His mumbled answer made no sense at all.
“I do not know what you mean by that.” Determined to discover the truth, she halted their progress. “I have met several Cits and they were all very pleasant men.”
“You mean obsequious?”
Was that what she meant? Georgie thought about Mr. Taylor, a merchant with whom her father did business. He actually did not seem to be in awe of her father’s title. “Not at all. Naturally they are polite. Everyone should be. I do not know why he should be fawning. He is an earl and before that he was the son of an earl.”
Turley’s frown wrinkled his forehead. “It always felt as if he wanted to become friends with other fellows because of who they are.” He started them ambling around the stalls again. “Naturally, he did not have much use for either Littleton or me. Exeter still calls him Loathsome Lytton.”
It was sad that a little boy could be so derided, and his behavior years ago still held against him. “He certainly was not very wise. Many times one’s rank has little to do with one’s standing in Polite Society.”
“Precisely.” Turley stopped in front of a stand with children’s toys. “I should find something for my niece. She is only just over two years old. My sister is expecting another child in the spring.”
There were several brightly colored wooden toys. “Do you think she would like the horse on wheels or a doll?”
He studied the selection as if the decision was of great importance. “I think she would find both of them fascinating. She has a doll, but not a wooden one.”
There were other animals on wheels as well. “Either a toy on wheels or a doll would work. Children tend to be easy to please.”
“I can get her one of each.” He flashed her a smile as he selected the horse and a doll.
“I think I will take that rattle for my young nephew. He was born a few months ago.” She picked up a plain wooden rattle and paid for it before slipping it in her reticule.
The vendor handed Turley his purchases wrapped up in paper, and he balanced the first package on top of the second. “What I need is someone who can take these to the inn.”
“Sir,” the seller said. “My son will be here directly. He can take them if you tell me which inn you want them taken to.”
“Thank you.” Turley took out two coins and handed them to the man. “The Cross and Crown.”
“I’ll see they get there.”
They strolled past the other booths, and even though there were several things Georgie would have liked to purchase, she was aware that she did not have the funds.
“Do you like that shade of ribbon?”
She looked at the red ribbon at which he was pointing. “It is beautiful.”
“I think so as well.” When she married or got old enough, it was one of the shades she wanted to wear.
He ordered a length of the glib, and stuck it into the pocket on the tails of his jacket.
“I have always thought that was an interesting place to put pockets.” Georgie wished gowns still had pockets. Especially now when the skirts were wider. Perhaps she should speak with the modiste about fashioning them.
“They can be extremely useful.” He held his arm out to her again and she tucked her hand into its crook. The church bell struck the hour, and they turned back toward the inn. Georgie was happy that they had got to spend time together and actually spoke of subjects other than what was merely polite. She’d had no idea that he had a young niece or that he was careful about the types of gifts he purchased. Perhaps this week should be used simply to get to know each other better, and deciding to marry.
Chapter Nineteen
Gavin glanced at Georgie as she walked beside him. She obviously had no idea he’d bought the ribbon for her. It would look perfect in her rich, dark brown tresses. He’d like to give her rubies and emeralds, but the gewgaw would have to do for now. The question was when to give it to her. He did not want to do it with the entire house party around. Perhaps on the way back to Littlewood would be the best time. Littleton and Adeline would be with them, and it would all be aboveboard, and Georgie wouldn’t be able to refuse the gift. It struck him that he’d sent her flowers but had never bought her anything else. He could tell from the way she had perused the fabrics and other items that she wanted to make more purchases. If only she would have accepted a loan. But he hadn’t offered a loan. He’d offered a gift.
Damn me for a fool. Well, I’ll know better the next time.
He’d been impressed that she bought lace for members of her family. Despite the months he’d spent with her he had not known how generous she was. It struck him that he liked that about her. It was an excellent quality to have in a wife and helpmate.