For the Heart of a Roguish Duke by Harriet Caves

Chapter Eight

The carriage rolled into Town the next day. The air was pleasant with a slight cool breeze. The sky was cloudless. Scarlet strode around the streets, watching the busyness of the Town. Traders welcomed their customers, carriages drove in and out, and ladies and gentlemen went about their business.

Scarlet walked into the modiste’s shop. “Good afternoon, Miss Snow,” said the modiste, Mrs. Candlestone.

“Good afternoon, I hope you are well?” said Scarlet.

“Very well, thank you. How can I help you today? Are you looking for a dress for the play?”

Scarlet gasped. “How did you know I was going?”

“Everyone is going to see The Tempest. It is what everyone is talking about. I know there is excitement among the ton,” Mrs. Candlestone said enthusiastically. “A few ladies have already come in for their dresses. But Miss Snow, the play is tomorrow. I won’t have time to make anything before then.”

“It is all right, perhaps I will have something at home to wear. I was invited quite late to accompany a friend to the play, so I wasn’t prepared.”

“Oh, well, I hope you haven’t seen a dress you like, Miss Snow. I believe I have something in the back that will suit your figure and face. I must say the dress will turn a few heads when they see you in it.” Mrs. Candlestone went to the back of the shop, quite excited.

While the modiste was away, Scarlet looked around the shop. A few dresses hung on hangers, which were stunning. They were made from silks and lace in colors of violet, peach and silver-white. On a table was a large book of patterns and descriptions of the dresses.

The modiste came back, and Scarlet moved away from the book. “I made this for my niece, but she rejected it. She said it was too pompous and not for her. I believe you have been quite fortunate,” Mrs. Candlestone chuckled delightfully. “Oh, isn’t this a lovely chance?”

Mrs. Candlestone brought out a dark-blue silk dress, with light embroidery around the sleeves and the skirts.

“Oh, this is most beautiful, Mrs. Candlestone,” Scarlet gasped. “But will I be able to afford it?”

Mrs. Candlestone smiled, understanding her and quoted her a low price.

“That is very kind of you, and I am truly grateful,” said Scarlet.

“I am so glad. I will have this delivered to you,” said Mrs. Candlestone.

After bidding the modiste goodbye, Scarlet walked down to the next shop which was a hat, gloves, and hosiery shop. It was bustling in there with hardly any room to walk.

Scarlet spotted Elizabeth there with Daisy. “Well met,” said Elizabeth as Scarlet approached her. Daisy also greeted her.

“I didn’t expect you to be here,” said Daisy. “How lovely it is.”

Scarlet smiled. “I came out on a whim. It was not planned today. The truth be told, I was quite fed up in the Manor.” Scarlet didn’t mention that the Duke was at home and not quite engaging. She also didn’t say she was lonely.

“We are out to purchase some gloves,” Daisy said. “Unfortunately I lost my pair this morning. Mama was livid of course. She made me come with Elizabeth to Town.”

“Are you here to purchase anything, Miss Snow?” asked Elizabeth.

“No, I was only passing by. I felt like a promenade in Town today,” said Scarlet.

“Are you ready for tomorrow’s play?” Daisy asked.

“Yes, I am. I am really looking forward to it,” Scarlet said, eyeing all the hats above her. “Oh dear, I realize I don’t have a matching hat or gloves for my dress. What will I do now?”

“Well, we can’t have that, can we? What color is your dress, Dear?” Elizabeth asked.

“It is blue…” Scarlet spotted a hat the same color as her dress, “just like that hat.”

“Let’s put it on you,” Elizabeth said. She called the shop assistant to take it down for her.

Once it was on Scarlet’s head, she knew it would be a perfect match for the dress. “You also need some gloves,” Elizabeth said thoughtfully as she looked at the various ones on display.

“Yes, you do,” Daisy joined in getting the accessories for Scarlet. She seemed to have cheered up and like Scarlet again.

“But I won’t be able to afford it,” Scarlet said. “They are quite expensive.” Scarlet knew her allowance was quite low, and she would not ask Alexander for money. Her pride would not allow it.

“You don’t have to worry about that,” said Elizabeth. “Think of it as present from me.”

“But I couldn’t,” Scarlet protested. “I could not take advantage of you like that.”

“Oh, but you must,” said Daisy. “You cannot attend the Theatre Royal like a commoner. Besides this will be your first play and you must look your best.”

“All right then,” said Scarlet. “But you must let me repay you.”

“Nonsense, we will not hear of it,” Elizabeth dismissed Scarlet’s dilemma. A few more ladies came in through the door.

“I suggest we buy and quickly leave. I can hardly breathe in here,” Elizabeth said. She bought the gloves and hat for Scarlet, and some items for her and Daisy.

In the fresh air outside the shop, Scarlet thanked Elizabeth, and Daisy once again. “Are you going home now?” asked Daisy. “Perhaps you can come with us and have some tea.”

“Yes, please do,” said Elizabeth. “Mama would be thrilled to see you.

“All right. I will inform the driver to come and collect me from your Estate later then.”

So it was decided. Scarlet was pleased; she did not feel like going home anyhow.

* * *

Meanwhile Alexander arranged to purchase tickets for the play at the theater. He proceeded to choose his outfit with the help of his valet. He wanted to be where Scarlet was, even though he knew anything between them would be improper, no matter how much he had begun to like her or how passionate they became when they touched.

The evening arrived with much elation and Scarlet couldn’t be any more thrilled. The maid dressed her in the dark-blue dress, with the matching gloves and hat. She looked at herself in the looking glass, and thought she was another person, not the Scarlet she once was when her old Guardian was alive.

What would he think of her now? Would he approve of her?

“You look like a princess, Miss,” said the maid.

“Do you think so? Perhaps I am made up too much. I don’t want to be mocked,” said Scarlet.

“I don’t believe anyone could think you to be too made up. My friend who is a lady’s maid and works for the Chaterleys told me her Lady and the other women of the household wore extravagant pieces to balls, plays and even to the races.”

“I hope you are right,” said Scarlet. “I don’t tend to go to these places much.”

“It is not my place, but may I ask why? You are part of a prestigious family, are you not?”

“The answer to your question is that I don’t really know. I am not a Lady, and I don’t belong anywhere. My movements when the Duke was alive were limited.”

Scarlet only came out of her shell after the passing of her Guardian. She was perfectly happy to go along as she was, until Alexander came back into her life. He made her feel she was not part of this family or this Manor. She had to leave the Bentley Estate as soon as she was married, for he didn’t want to be her Guardian.

“Are you all right, Miss?” asked the maid.

“I am, I am absolutely fine,” Scarlet turned around to face the maid. She smiled. “I am grateful for this talk. It can become quite lonely with no one to speak of my woes here.”

The maid was new here, so she hadn’t seen Scarlet growing up without a friend or left to play and study by herself when Alexander was sent off to boarding school.

“Miss Snow, Mrs. Brown and Lady Daisy have arrived,” the butler announced.

“Very well, I shall be down soon,” said Scarlet.

* * *

Everyone turned to stare at Scarlet as she stepped out of the carriage and walked into the foyer of the Theatre Royal. A gasp of delight and marvel passed among the men and women. Scarlet was a sight to behold, especially for the men.

“They are staring at me,” Scarlet said, blushing furiously. She was glad the foyer was not well lit to highlight such emotion.

“And why shouldn’t they?” Elizabeth smiled. “You are a beauty. Isn’t she, Dearest?” Elizabeth looked to her husband, who agreed.

“She certainly is, My Dear,” said Mr. James Brown. “I would keep her tight with us. We don’t want all the men at her feet.” Mr. Brown was indeed laughing as Scarlet blushed redder.

“Oh, don’t tease her,” said Elizabeth.

Daisy seemed to be little displeased and looked quite jealous. She didn’t speak at all with Scarlet in the carriage ride or when they met at the Manor. “Lady Daisy, are you quite all right? You are not angry with me, I hope?” Scarlet whispered. She certainly didn’t want anyone to hear.

“I am quite fine. All right, perhaps I am a little envious. But that is only because you are more beautiful this evening and all the eligible men are looking at you and not me,” Daisy said.

“I promise I won’t take them all and will leave some for you,” Scarlet smiled with merriment in her eyes. “Now, forget your anger and let is enjoy the play.”

Daisy gave Scarlet a small smile. “All right.”

“Miss Snow, may I say you look wonderful tonight,” a man came forward.

“Good evening,” said Scarlet, bowing. “I apologize but I don’t believe we are acquainted.”

“I am General Patterson,” the man introduced himself. “I just assume everyone knows me.”

“It is lovely to make your acquaintance,” Scarlet said. She was surprised a man approached her. What would the Duke think of this? she wondered.

If he were here now, would he approve, would he be pleased that men want to know me?

“Where is your seat?” the General asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“Oh, I… I don’t really know. I am here with my friends, Lady Daisy Spencer and Mr. James and Mrs. Elizabeth Brown.”

They all greeted one another pleasantly. “I have some space in the balcony, and I would like it if you would take a seat with me and my family. I am certain they wouldn’t mind,” the General asked.

“Oh, I cannot. That would be uncharacteristic of me to accept, besides—” Scarlet looked at Daisy and Elizabeth to help her.

“Please, do go. We won’t mind,” said Elizabeth, moving Scarlet toward the General.

“Splendid! That is settled then,” the General beamed.

As Scarlet walked up the staircase with the General, someone else was watching her.