Enchanting the Duke - Lana Williams Page 0,2
mean it was time for a new plan?
She requested the present be wrapped and delivered to her waiting carriage then departed to complete her other errands, including a stop at Madame Daphne’s, a seamstress shop that was one of her favorite’s. Rumors swirled of a romantic tale about a seamstress who’d owned the shop with her aunt only to have an earl from the north sweep her off her feet. And she’d done the same to him.
The story never failed to make Eleanor sigh with longing. She hoped it was true and the couple was living happily ever after.
At Madame Daphne’s, she selected a lace-edged, embroidered handkerchief for Lillian. New mothers surely deserved a gift to help celebrate their new status. Eleanor was looking forward to having tea with her friend on the morrow, even if her happiness made Eleanor envious.
She finished her purchases and departed with Babette directly behind her, glancing around with care. The shop was at the fringe of respectability, and she’d learned to keep her wits about her when venturing there. The carriage waited around the corner a short distance away.
“Come along, Babette. We have one more stop to make.” Eleanor’s steps slowed at the sight of a tall, arresting man across the street who looked remarkably like her husband.
His erect bearing was unmistakable as were his broad shoulders. He glanced to the side and his handsome profile confirmed her guess. She’d know his classic features with the narrow nose, high cheekbones, and pursed lips anywhere. Dark hair clipped short, a clean-shaven face, square jaw, and a slash of black brows above his green eyes still made her draw a deep breath of appreciation.
His handsome appearance and muscular physique from all those hours toiling alongside his tenants were a problem as merely looking at him caused all sorts of inappropriate thoughts to arise. What Douglas was doing in the shopping district was a puzzle.
They’d been at the country estate until the past week when he’d advised her that he needed to return to London to take care of some business matters. She’d asked to come as well to visit friends and do some shopping before the holiday. In truth, she’d hoped coming to the city would give them more time together.
She couldn’t imagine what business he’d have in the area and he surely wasn’t shopping or visiting. He had acquaintances but no close friends from what she knew. With no small amount of curiosity, she watched as he strode down the street in the opposite direction, looking straight ahead, his topcoat flapping against his legs.
What could Eleanor do but follow? At a safe distance, of course, and with Babette directly behind her.
He didn’t go far, thank goodness, as the area he entered was remarkably different than what was considered safe. The buildings on the street had a run-down appearance as did the people walking past. Douglas paid no mind to the odd looks he received from passersby. He paused before a tall, brick building to study a child who sat on the front step.
The little girl was wrapped in a shawl twice as big as her yet still she shivered in the damp cold, her shoulders nearly reaching her ears. With a round face, her hair done in a tidy braid, and a grin, she popped up at the sight of him, almost as if she’d been expecting him.
To Eleanor’s surprise, Douglas bent to speak with her.
The girl nodded at whatever he said, then he reached behind her ear and drew forth a coin. Her mouth fell agape, her eyes wide with surprise as she stared at Douglas. He reached for her hand and placed the coin in it, closing her fingers over the top to hide it from view.
Again, the girl nodded then rose and hurried into the building, and Douglas stared up at the brick facade. After a long moment, an elderly woman appeared in the window to look down and wave.
Douglas touched the brim of his hat then turned back in the direction he’d come from.
With a gasp, she spun away so he wouldn’t see her and found herself staring into the dirty window of a book shop. Just visible in the glass was the image of her husband, striding away.
Eleanor turned back to look up at the window, surprised to see the elderly woman still looking out. At her. Eleanor lifted her gloved hand in a tentative wave, unreasonably delighted when the woman returned it along with the little girl who stood