“Matilda told you of my letters,” Evelyn said, beaming.
“She mentioned them in passing but was concerned about your state of mind in suggesting such actions. A gold crown over my heart? Where did you think a servant might acquire one of those? By stealing it from me in the first place?”
Evelyn only laughed. “How sad that she is as equally unromantic as you!”
“That suits me too. I am spared any nonsense with her.” He held out his arm. “Come along, Evelyn. Shall we lure Audrey away from what troubles her?”
Audrey was only too happy to abandon her music to accompany them. “This would be more enjoyable if your bride was with us,” Audrey insisted as the carriage rolled along toward Bond Street. “We could fetch her with no trouble.”
“She is resting,” he repeated for Audrey’s benefit. “I will not have her disturbed today.”
Audrey shook her head. “She must be lonely locked up in that house.”
“She is not a prisoner.” William squirmed though. He’d not thought she might become bored. “I am sure she is fine, and Dawson is on hand to see she has everything she might need today.”
Audrey appeared unconvinced. “Still, the other servants could be difficult for her. They have their own way of doing things.”
His conscience nagged him. He’d promised Dawson an interview last night. In the excitement of his upcoming change of status to husband, he’d not had time to see him. He’d thought the man wanted to discuss the running of the servants’ hall and Matilda’s employment. She was free of that now, wasn’t she? “Difficult how?”
“The elevation of a servant can cause resentment within a household. Matilda was always one of the quiet ones and might have trouble giving orders. I often thought she was unpopular with the other maids before and now…” Audrey did not finish the thought, but he received a clear impression.
If any servant dared interfere with Matilda and what she might want done, they would be dismissed from service immediately. He had promised to look after her. “I will ensure her wishes are carried out.”
The carriage stopped, and William stepped out onto the street before Cabot’s Haberdashery—the first stop on this shopping expedition as a suddenly married man. His sisters always shopped at this establishment, and he tried to remember some of the items he’d noticed the bills for. Opera glasses, fans, coin purses, and a dozen other things he could not picture clearly. Everything a lady might need for a night out to make the right impression should be within this shop for him to purchase. He handed his sisters out and followed them inside, eager to reward the woman who’d saved his life.
A middle-aged gent swooped on his sisters. “Miss Ford, Miss Evelyn. What a lovely surprise to see you today.”
Evelyn grasped the man’s hand firmly to shake it and held it a little too long for his comfort. “Mr. Cabot. We were all so very sad to hear the news of the passing of your wife. How have you been?”
The man paled a little and retrieved his hand quickly. “As well as can be expected, but happier for seeing you both again.”
Evelyn nodded, full of sympathy as usual, and turned to perform introductions. “Mr. Cabot, might I present my brother, Captain William Ford. He has recently returned from duty at sea.”
Cabot bowed. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance at last, Captain, and thank you for all you have done for our country.”
William had never been comfortable with compliments, but he managed a curt nod. “Sir.”
Cabot took a pace back and gestured to the shop. “My shop is yours, ladies.”
Evelyn and Audrey beamed. “Thank you.”
They wandered off in an excited, chattering rush, leaving William alone with the widowed proprietor and feeling decidedly out of place. He had thought perhaps he might find a place to sit while his sisters shopped, but clearly this was not an establishment where a man could linger with any assurance he was meant to stay.
Cabot cleared his throat. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“I think I will simply look around while my sisters shop.” He nodded. “My condolences.”
“Thank you, Captain. If I can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
The man returned to his counter and almost immediately started accepting items from Audrey and Evelyn. His sisters wasted no time in collecting gifts for Matilda, and he hoped they chose well because she deserved the best money could buy. Matilda would need many things if she was to present herself anything like his sisters were accustomed to. He wanted her to feel part of his life for the little time they were known as a couple. Hopefully she might find some enjoyment in their ruse too.
He considered Matilda and what she might like to receive from him. The comforts of home was what she needed most, but perhaps he should give her something more personal, as thanks for her care. She had lost a great deal of sleep watching over him. Not to mention the inconvenience of their temporary marriage. She had come to his rescue and saved him from an awkward meeting with Miss Chudleigh. That deserved silk to go with the gold wedding band he would place on her finger in the next few days.
“Actually, there is something,” he called out to Cabot. “I am in need of silk undergarments.”
His voice carried, shockingly loud in the room. He cursed everyone that turned to stare at him. Cabot bit his lip, and several patrons snickered at his request.
“For a gift,” he clarified, rolling his eyes. Dear God, London hadn’t changed while he’d been gone to sea. “I am married.”