Lamier paused next to me, as the two ladies looked at samples. “Do keep them company while I get the forms. And don’t you dare let them leave.”
I nodded, vaguely aware when she raced to the back. The two women spoke softly, while giving me veiled looks. I stood by awkwardly, unsure how I was supposed to take their sudden appearance and obvious interest. Did this all have something to do with Gabe? Had he sent them? No. That was ridiculous.
“No family, you say?” Lady Alice asked, startling me.
I shifted, feeling highly uncomfortable. Either Lady Alice had been listening, or Lady Whitfield had told her. “My daughter, my lady, but that is all. Although Violet is like a sister to me.”
She nodded slowly as she pulled out a sample of blue silk. “And the child’s father?”
My face turned bright red. Such a personal question to ask, yet I didn’t dare refuse to answer. “Dead, my lady.”
Her hard gaze met mine. She didn’t believe me. I didn’t like the many questions. Why did I have a feeling she knew something I didn’t? I kept her gaze, bold as you please. Miss Lamier returned with forms in hand, drawing their attention away from me.
I stood patiently by, until a few moments later they were ready to leave. It was with relief that I opened the door to let them out. The man still stood across the street, watching me. A shiver of unease raced down my spine. I narrowed my eyes into a glare. How dare he intimidate me. Damnation, but I was tired of men and their bullying ways.
“Do you know him?” Lady Alice asked.
I jerked my gaze from the man. “No, my lady.”
“Hmmm.” She pulled on her gloves and stepped into the autumn afternoon. “Do be careful, my dear. There are all sorts of unsavory men in this world.”
I nodded, giving her a stiff smile.
Lady Whitfield paused, her kind eyes studying my face. It looked as if she wanted to say something to me. Something important. Instead, she turned and followed Lady Alice down the footpath.
How very peculiar.
Chapter Six
Gabriel
Any man who remained that still along such a busy street was sure to catch attention. But it was the fact that he stood near a lamppost with his gaze trained on the Lamier establishment that truly caught my interest.
Who the bloody hell was he?
I tapped the roof of the carriage. It slowed before finally pulling over to the side of the lane. When the door opened, I stepped out onto the footpath. “Wait here a moment.”
Toby nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
I started toward the man. He either sensed me or heard my approach, for his head swiveled toward me, his eyes going wide. He looked damned suspicious.
“You there,” I snapped.
Startled, he bolted into the street, dodging carriages like he’d done it plenty of times before. Whoever had hired him to spy, they’d hired a professional.
“Toby.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“Go after that man. See where he heads.”
Toby darted into the street after him. Curious, I looked toward the modiste shop. Why was he lurking outside? Did Miss Lamier have an admirer? But he seemed too young, too unsavory for her. Or was it something else…
Was he there for Ginny?
The thought sent an icy chill through my body.
I moved across the street, avoiding piles of horse manure and racing carriages. When I pushed open the door to the shop, the bell rang out merrily, announcing my arrival. Miss Lamier looked up from samples she had spread across a table. Recognizing me, she stood.
“Why, Lord Chambers, did we have an appointment?”
She knew we didn’t, she was merely being polite. I cleared my throat. “No.”
“I see. What can I help you with?” She didn’t look in the least bit surprised to see me. “Is there a gift you wish to purchase for your fiancé? New gloves? A dress?”
I hesitated on the threshold, attempting to think of something to say to the seamstress that wouldn’t make me sound completely idiotic. “No… Nothing. It’s…” Shite. Had Ginny told her about my last visit? “I made a mistake.”
I started to turn away, cursing myself under my breath for being a fool, when her warm hand settled upon my arm, bold and daring. “My lord, please. It’s starting to rain. Stay for a moment, won’t you?”
It was a thinly veiled command, hiding a deeper meaning. What did she want from me? To lecture and berate? No doubt I deserved it in her eyes. She’d proven more than once that she was loyal