Page 27 of The Baron’s Perfect Match (Twist of Fate #1)

T he trip to the modiste’s was unexpected but certainly welcome. Audrey needed some lace, maybe some pearls, and a bit of ribbon if she was going to modify one of her mother’s dresses for the evening musicale.

As promised, Lord Fletcher opened an account for them with Mrs. Beaumont.

“Of course, my lord. Miss Parker and her sisters are dear customers of mine,” the modiste said.

“Thank you, Mrs. Beaumont. Whatever they want, just charge it to my account.”

“Very good, Lord Fletcher. Rest assured, they will be well taken care of.”

“Excellent. I shall leave you to it then and return shortly,” he said, leaving the shop.

Audrey watched him depart before turning her attention to Grace and Mia. “We must not be too greedy with our purchases, sisters,” she cautioned them. “Lord Fletcher is being quite generous, but I don’t want to abuse his generosity.”

“May I still pick out new gloves?” Mia asked.

“Of course, dearest, and perhaps a few ribbons as well.”

That put a smile on her youngest sister’s face.

“And what about you, Audrey? What will you purchase today?” Grace asked.

“A bit of lace and a few pearls to alter Mama’s pale pink silk for the concert tonight. Maybe a ribbon or two.”

“Don’t you want to see if Mrs. Beaumont has something that would be suitable for this evening? She might have a dress that failed to suit a lady who ordered it and would only need a few alterations.”

“No, that’s much too extravagant an expense. I can make do with the lace and pearls.” The last thing she wanted was to take advantage of his generosity.

Grace shook her head. “My dear sister, it’s fine to think of yourself for a change. Lord Fletcher has been most generous and said to buy whatever you want.”

“And I want lace and pearls and perhaps a new pair of white gloves. That will be sufficient.”

“I don’t know why you insist on punishing yourself. You should at least buy a new pair of stockings for this evening. Yours are quite worn, ” Grace said before wandering off to look at some gloves.

Was Grace correct? Was she punishing herself because she was disappointed that Lord Fletcher didn’t return her feelings? She didn’t think so, but maybe there was a grain of truth in Grace’s accusation.

“Miss Parker, how lovely to see you today.” Mrs. Beaumont said, interrupting her musings. “What may I help you with?”

“Some lace, pearls, and new gloves.” She thought about what Grace had said. “And a pair of silk stockings and a few ribbons as well.”

“Of course. Let me show you the new lace that came in yesterday. It’s quite exquisite.”

Mrs. Beaumont was correct, as always. The lace was exquisite, and it would be the perfect addition for new sleeves to update her mother’s dress. The modiste whispered in Audrey’s ear, “My dear, are you altering one of your mama’s dresses?”

Audrey nodded and looked around to make sure no one could overhear their conversation. “Yes. I’ve been invited to a musicale this evening, and I need to make one of them suitable. I plan on using the lace to update the sleeves.”

“This lace will be a wonderful addition. May I ask the color of the dress?”

“Pale pink.”

Mrs. Beaumont patted her arm. “I have the perfect shade of ribbon for it as well. Would you like to see it?”

She nodded.

The modiste took her to the ribbon rack, where she pulled out a spool of dark pink, almost maroon ribbon.

Audrey’s eyes widened. Mrs. Beaumont was right. It was indeed the perfect shade to complement the dress. She needed to buy enough for the dress and perhaps a little extra to weave in her hair .

“Thank you, Mrs. Beaumont. You’ve been most helpful.”

“It’s my pleasure, my dear. Let me show you the gloves I have available as well.”

In the end, Grace and Mia each settled on new gloves and a few ribbons. Audrey was pleased that her sisters had listened to her and didn’t buy anything too extravagant. With their purchases in hand, the sisters made their way out of the modiste’s shop.

“Where is Lord Fletcher?” Mia asked, looking up and down the street. The hackney was still there, and so was the footman who had accompanied them, but there was no sign of the baron.

“I don’t know,” Audrey said.

“May I secure your packages, ladies?” the footman asked.

“Thank you, Andrew. That would be most helpful,” Audrey said, handing him their packages.

It took only another moment before Lord Fletcher exited the bookshop next door and walked toward them.

“Lord Fletcher, you must see what we bought,” Mia said.

The baron smiled. “I’d love to; you can show me when we return home. Have you all finished your shopping? Or is there another stop we need to make?”

“Everything is quite in hand, Lord Fletcher,” Audrey said, placing her hand on Mia’s arm to silence her younger sister from saying anything more.

“It would be best if we headed home now.” She had no intention of informing him that she didn’t have a suitable dress for this evening and would need the day to alter one of her mother’s.

“Of course, if that’s what you wish,” he said, handing the women into the hackney.

Andrew hopped on the back.

Once they arrived home, Jacob touched Miss Parker’s arm before she left his company. “Miss Parker, may I have a word, please?”

“Of course, my lord,” she said as she followed him into the drawing room. Could he finally be ready to talk about their kiss?

He held out a small brown package.

“My lord, there is no need for you to buy me anything. You have been most generous thus far.”

“I know how much you love to read, and I thought you’d enjoy this.”

She unwrapped the package, and her eyes widened when she saw the gift. “Oh my, Sense and Sensibility. Thank you for this lovely gift. I shall treasure it,” she said with a smile.

“I’m glad you are pleased.”

Audrey waited a moment to see if he would say anything more, but he did not. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said, hurrying up to her bedchamber, eager to start on the alterations to her mother’s dress. She had no time to waste if she wanted to finish the dress in time.

“Of course. I’ll see you later.”

Grace was in her bedchamber waiting for her.

“Do you need help?” Grace asked .

“Not with the dress, but would you mind helping me with my hair later? I bought enough ribbon to weave some through my curls.”

“Of course. I’ll see you later.”

Grace left, closing the door behind her, while Audrey opened the armoire and pulled out the pink silk.

She examined the dress with a critical eye, knowing exactly how she could alter it to make it look like a new gown.

She worked straight through luncheon on the alterations, and the light had faded when she finally finished.

There was a knock on her door. She put the dress on the bed and started for the door. “Come.”

Grace walked in. “Audrey, you’ve not eaten all day. I’ve brought you a plate.”

“Thank you, Grace. That was very thoughtful. I must admit I’m quite famished.”

“Have you finished the dress?” Grace asked, putting the plate on the small table beside the bed.

“I have. It’s just there. What do you think?”

Grace picked up the dress before turning to her. “Oh, Audrey, it’s exquisite. You did a beautiful job on the alterations. No one would ever guess it was one of Mama’s dresses.”

“Thank you. I’m quite pleased with it.”

“As you should be. You’ll be the prettiest girl there.”

Audrey didn’t know if that was true, and besides, all that mattered to her was what Lord Fletcher thought. Would he do more than merely stare at her tonight?

22 2

Jacob waited in the parlor, playing checkers with Miss Mia.

He could hardly wait to see Miss Parker this evening.

When they returned from the modiste’s shop and her sisters went upstairs, he started to tell her, but the words wouldn’t come.

Then she’d disappeared into her bedchamber.

He’d wanted to assure her that he wouldn’t abandon them as their father had done.

Now he’d have to wait for a time when they could speak privately.

He didn’t want to embarrass her in front of her sisters if she hadn’t shared her fears with Grace and Mia.

A half-hour later, she walked into the parlor, and he nearly choked as his breath caught in his throat. Wearing a pale pink dress, she looked like a dream come true. She was beyond beautiful, and he jumped to his feet, upsetting the checkerboard and sending the pieces crashing to the floor.

“My apologies, Miss Mia.”

Mia giggled. “It doesn't matter. You were winning anyway.”

He couldn’t stop looking at Miss Parker, who looked positively ravishing. He stared until his jaw finally worked again and he blurted out, “You look beautiful this evening.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

“You’re so pretty,” Mia said. “I wish I were going.”

“Perhaps another time, dearest,” Miss Parker said.

“Miss Parker, may we—”

The knocker banged down .

“That must be Lady Devon and Lady Kathryn,” Miss Parker said, turning around and leaving the parlor.

Jacob quickly followed her into the foyer.

Beckwith handed Jacob his hat and cane and Miss Parker her shawl before they went out to the Devon carriage.

The footman had the door open and handed in Miss Parker, and Jacob followed.

He was surprised to see Lady Kathryn sitting on the back-facing seat, and not surprisingly, Miss Parker sat beside her, leaving the seat next to Lady Devon as his only option.

“Good evening, Lady Devon, Lady Kathryn,” he said, climbing into the carriage.

“Good evening, my lord, Miss Parker,” Lady Devon said. “You look lovely, my dear.”

“Thank you, Lady Devon,” Audrey said.

“Lord Fletcher, Miss Parker,” Kathryn said in greeting.

It didn’t take long for Miss Parker and Lady Kathryn to put their heads together, deep in conversation.

Jacob was pleased they were getting along so well.

Miss Parker definitely needed a distraction from worrying over the welfare of her sisters, and with Lady Katherine, she could enjoy the company of a peer.