She had never had anyone to command before. Or was it a term of speech? She had been so little in company, and her sisters teased her about taking people so literally. “Thank you.”
“It is my pleasure.” His tone was serious as if he meant it.
The merchant obviously traveled to many places. His wares included several types of silk in varying colors, but what caught her attention was a fine, stiff netting. “What is this? I have never seen anything like it before?”
He unwound part of one bolt. “Milady, it is called tulle, because it comes from the French village of Tulle.”
Tiny sequins were sewn into the material. “It is beautiful.” Mama had given her a great deal of money to spend, but did Thalia have enough? The merchant was also tempting her with some lovely muslins and silks. “How much is it?”
He named a sum, but what did she know about a reasonable price? “Mannering?”
“It is a fair price, my lady.” The maid also seemed to be interested in the tulle. “If you’ll choose what you like, I’ll see if we have the funds for it.”
“If not,” Kendal said, “I shall loan you the amount. I had the opportunity to see this made into an evening gown when I was in Paris, and it was magnificent. You will not regret the purchase.”
Thalia bit her lip. She really did want the fabric, but . . . “I am sure I should not accept such a sum from a gentleman.”
“I promise you, it is strictly a loan, and I shall expect prompt repayment.” His gray eyes smiled, but his tone was firm.
Well, if it was a loan, she could repay him almost immediately. When they went to the inn for tea, some of her family would be there. She could ask her brother, if need be. “Thank you. I shall accept your kind offer.”
Gazing at her, his lips formed a slow smile that made little shivers run through her. “Think nothing of it. If you were at a regular shop, you’d be able to put it on account. This is simply another method of doing that.”
She had never put anything on account, but apparently that was a normal practice when shopping. She matched his smile with one of her own. “What an interesting way of putting it.”
Kendal turned out to be very interested in all the different fabrics, and more than happy to engage in discussing the merits of one over the other. By the time they were finished, she had bought several bolts, most of them paid for by him.
Handing the merchant several gold coins, Kendal said, “These will need to be taken to the White Horse and given to one of the servants working for either the Duchess of Hull or the Duchess of Melbrough.” He glanced at Thalia. “Even I cannot carry all of this.”
There were a good many bolts. “No, of course not.”
The man’s eyes widened. “Yes, my lord.”
Talia started to open her mouth, but Kendal took her arm. “Shall we visit the next booth?”
He steered her away from the fabric stand rather quickly and expertly. Her brothers would have dragged her away. “Why did you do that? I was going to tell him it was not the right way to address you.”
He cocked a brow. “That’s exactly the reason. Not everyone needs to know who I am.”
She did not understand. “But many people seem to know my title of lady. Do they not know yours?”
“Some know yours because they have heard your maid call you my lady, but others do it as a sign of respect. Mere misses will be flattered, and they run no risk of insulting a lady of rank.”
“Oh.” She had not thought of it in that way. “It never would have occurred to me.”
“No.” His well-shaped lips pressed together, but the ends tipped up. “I do not suppose you have been anywhere that you have not been known.”
He was correct. She had not been. But how lowering that he knew it.
A woman greeted them at the next stand. “My lord, my lady, how may I help you?”
The next hour or so went on as the previous ones had. Thalia conferred with her maid, and now Kendal, concerning her purchases. “I would like to buy something for the babies. I know they are all very young, but someone here must have toys for babies.”
The duke, who was taller than her by at least a foot, scanned the rest of the booths. “Come with me. I see someone with wooden wares. He might have toys for children.”
When they reached the stand, he was proved right. “The rattles would do well for my sisters’ children. They are only a few months old. But my sister-in-law Meg’s little boy is almost a year.”
“Perhaps these blocks, my lady,” the man said.
The squares had brightly colored animals on two sides, numbers on one side, and letters on the fourth side. “I think he would enjoy those.”
The clock stuck the hour as they finished her final purchase. Kendal held his arm out again. “I must say, I have never had so much enjoyment from shopping.” Then he grinned and his dimple showed again. “I am quite sure the church will have enough for its roof.”
If he had been one of her brothers she would have hit him. Raising her chin, she sniffed. “I do not like being teased when I can do nothing in retaliation.”
