The Smithfield Market Romances: A Sweet Regency Romance Boxset

by Rose Pearson

  She colored but lifted her chin. “I am almost twenty.”

  Lord Brandeis nodded slowly, his gaze drifting over her left shoulder. “Then that should work very well. Married at seventeen, widowed the same year and then a year for your mourning period.” He nodded, looking quite satisfied. “And we have been courting for a month or so.”

  Not quite sure exactly what Lord Brandeis was talking about, Caroline could only listen and nod, letting him deal with all the intricate details.

  “Very good,” he said, as the carriage door opened. “Now, on we go to the seamstress.”

  Two hours later and Caroline was exhausted. Lord Brandeis had not been allowed into the dressing room but she could hear him muttering things and discussing details with the seamstress whenever the lady stepped out of the room. She had tried on at least six different outfits and had shown them all to him, growing less and less embarrassed with each one. His eyes had lit up every time, a smile crossing his face as he had declared her ‘perfect’ or some other such accolade. Now she was growing rather tired of being dressed up, longing for her old, comfortable gown that did not have so many straps and other unearthly garments beneath it.

  “And the final one, my lady,” the seamstress said, helping her into one of the most beautiful gowns Caroline had ever seen. The exhaustion she felt was chased away almost at once as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Whilst she felt almost wrapped in a great many layers, here, encased in the shimmering folds of a beautiful silk gown, Caroline felt her heart lift with a sudden delight.

  “My, my,” she heard a low voice say and, twisting her head, saw Lord Brandeis standing just in the doorway of the dressing room.

  She could not speak, even though she wanted to tell him that he ought not to be in the room at this present moment, her eyes now back on the gown that she wore. It was a delicate blue that seemed to shift into shades of green and emerald as she moved. She had never felt so beautiful.

  “It matches your eyes, of course,” Lord Brandeis murmured, coming a little further in and moving around the room to take her in completely. “And, if I may say so, it does that marvelously well.”

  “Thank you, my lord,” the seamstress murmured. “If I may be so bold, might I suggest having someone come to fix the lady’s hair? I believe that an inch or so from the bottom would do wonders for her coiffure.”

  The moment was shattered. Caroline dropped her eyes to the floor, suddenly quite mortified. This was not her world, she remembered, and yet to be spoken of in such a way, whilst she was standing in the room, still brought her a great deal of embarrassment.

  “Yes, of course,” she heard Lord Brandeis say, quietly. “Thank you.”

  A gentle hand touched her fingers and, looking up, Caroline saw Lord Brandeis looking down at her with concern.

  “It was not cruelly meant,” he said softly, with such kindness in his expression that Caroline’s embarrassment immediately began to ease. “I apologize if you were hurt by that remark.”

  Swallowing hard, Caroline managed to shrug. “It is of little consequence.”

  “No, it is not,” he said, firmly. “This is not meant to bring you anything but happiness, Miss Devonshire. Even if you are stuck with my company.”

  That brought a small smile to her lips and, as he patted her hand and made to leave the room, Caroline saw in the mirror that she was, in fact, looking quite delighted once again. Was that Lord Brandeis’s influence? Or was it the fact that she was to have a whole new wardrobe, filled with more beauty than she had ever imagined?

  “It is the gowns, of course,” she told herself, as the seamstress reappeared, ready, Caroline thought, to help her back into her old gown and shawl.

  “Here, my lady,” the seamstress said, as Caroline stepped out of the gown. “This is what you are to wear home, I believe.”

  Caroline saw her bring over a simple dress, which appeared both warm and soft.

  “And there is a shawl and a cloak as well, and I believe Lord Brandeis wished you to choose a few new bonnets also,” the seamstress continued, clearly unaware of Caroline’s astonishment. “It is very cold outside, my lady, and I am quite certain that you will be especially pleased with the cloak.”

  Caroline did not know what to say, her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth as she ran a gentle finger down the new dress.

  “Thank you,” she stammered, as the seamstress helped her into it. Lord Brandeis was being remarkably generous, she had to admit. She thought of her shawl and how cold she had been on her way to the seamstress, knowing that she would not be so now. Lord Brandeis must have noticed her chill and had determined to ensure she would not be cold on her return to the tavern.

  “And you have a cloak to take back with you also,” the seamstress said, “although Lord Brandeis said to make this one a little shorter.” She lifted one eyebrow towards Caroline. “For a friend, perhaps?”

  Caroline swallowed the lump in her throat, immediately aware that Lord Brandeis intended this for Mrs. Beeson.

  “I shall have it taken to your carriage,” the seamstress finished, without waiting for an answer. “Now, when you are ready, you may step down from the platform.”

  Walking back into the shop itself, Caroline saw Lord Brandeis waiting for her, his eyes roving over her gown as she walked towards him.

  “Thank you, Lord Brandeis,” she said at once, still quite overwhelmed by just how generous he had been. “You are very kind. And to think of Mrs. Beeson as well is more than I could have ever expected.”

  Lord Brandeis shrugged, a small smile playing around his mouth. “I do believe I have a tab to settle with Mrs. Beeson, and I thought that a cloak might go some way to making amends for my raucous behavior of late.”

  A quiet laugh escaped her. “I hardly think that she will mind that, Lord Brandeis. She does run a tavern after all.”

  Lord Brandeis chuckled. “Indeed. Regardless, I wanted to ensure that she had a warm cloak for the winter months, as I did for you.”

  Not quite certain where this generosity had come from, Caroline smiled up at him. “Thank you,” she said, quietly. “There is nothing more I can say but thank you.”

  Pulling on his gloves, Lord Brandeis sent her a quick smile. “It is more than enough, Miss Devonshire, I assure you,” he said in reply, offering her his arm. “Now, Baroness Winter, as I should be calling you, shall we go to the carriage and return you home? I am quite sure you will need to rest before you begin preparations for tonight’s festivities.”

  She chuckled, managing to loop her hand under his arm as he had shown her. “Thank you, Lord Brandeis,” she said, as they left the shop. “You are quite correct.”

  7

  By the end of the week, Caroline was exhausted. She had seen Lord Brandeis almost every day. Instead of being able to relax during her few hours in between sleeping and preparing the tavern for the next influx of men, she was forced to practice her conversation, her elocution and even her manner of walking.

  “And we shall have to do a couple of dances,” Lord Brandeis murmured, looking a little worried. “Not all of them, of course, but at least the quadrille and the waltz.”

  Caroline stared at him, her mouth half open. The waltz was known as a scandalous dance, and she certainly was not about to be taking part in it.

  “The quadrille might be a little difficult, given that we do not have any more partners,” Lord Brandeis murmured, half to himself, “but at least the waltz will not prove a problem.”

  Caroline shook her head. “Lord Brandeis, I will not be dancing the waltz. I may be nothing more than a commoner from Smithfield Market, but I will not dance something that has such scandal attached to it!”

  Much to her surprise, Lord Brandeis chuckled, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. “My dear Miss Devonshire, the waltz is not as scandalous as it appears. In fact, it is all the rage amongst the ton! It would be even more of note if you were not to dance it, I’m afraid.”

  A little unsettle
d, Caroline gave a slight shrug. “Still, I do not think that it is required of me to do so.”

  Lord Brandeis sighed, his eyes still glinting with mirth. “It has been rather a lot for you to take in, has it not?” he said, softly. “But I will say, Miss Devonshire, you have done remarkably well.”

  His compliment brought a rush of warmth to her cheeks. This last week had proven to her that Lord Brandeis was capable of behaving like a gentleman ought, for he had been gentle and considerate towards her. He had not made any unwelcome advances, nor tried to seduce her in any way. All in all, she found him a great deal more likable than when they had first met.

  “You have been reading that book, have you not?” he asked, lifting a brow. “The Handbook of Etiquette, or whatever it’s called?”

  Caroline held back a heavy sigh. “Yes, Lord Brandeis, I have been reading it. As I said to you before, it is not the first time I have read the book, but this time I have been forced to try and remember what I have read! Not only that but to put it into action!” She shook her head, her mind a little fuzzy with all that she would be expected to do and say as a member of the nobility. “I am rather afraid, Lord Brandeis that I will let you down somehow and that the charade will be over.” Her voice wobbled just a little as she spoke, even though she tried her best to smile regardless. “I may be the worst baroness anyone has ever seen!”

  Lord Brandeis did not smile, but rather looked at her contemplatively, his eyes warm and filled with sympathy.

  “My dear Miss Devonshire, if you have changed your mind, you need only say,” he replied, gently. “I will not force you in this.”

  Caroline drew in a long breath, trying to steady her composure. She had not been sleeping particularly well these last few nights, as the day of their departure grew nearer. If she was honest with herself, then she would admit that she was afraid. Her heart was quailing within her, her worry and anxiety rising steadily. Soon, she would have to become Baroness Winter, to use everything she had been taught in order to present a façade to the rest of Lord Brandeis’ family in the hope that they would believe her to be precisely who she said.

  “This was never in my novels,” she said, with a shaky laugh. “The heroine never appears to be overly afraid, nor regretful of the choices she has made. Adventures always seem so wonderful but now I see that they can be, in fact, somewhat intimidating.”

  Lord Brandeis moved closer, his expression open. “Miss Devonshire, if you wish to remain here and not come with me tomorrow afternoon, then I quite understand.”

  “No.”

  Looking up at him, she held his gaze, feeling her courage flickering underneath all of her doubts and fears. “No, Lord Brandeis, I will not back away from it now. I will go with you and will become Baroness Winter.” She managed a half smile, despite the churning in her stomach. “Whether or not I shall be able to help you in any way remains to be seen, particularly if I get everything quite wrong.”

  There was a look of relief on his face as he smiled at her, reaching for her hand and bending over it, his lips brushing against the back of her hand. She made to pull away, only to recall that this was expected of a gentleman and so remained stock still until he raised his head.

  “Very good, Baroness Winter,” he murmured, with a warm smile. “And now you curtsy.”

  Taking a deep breath, Caroline did as he asked, executing it with as much grace and poise as she could. When she rose, Lord Brandeis was grinning at her, his eyes alive with happiness.

  “Wonderful!” he applauded, making her blush. “You will be perfect, Miss Devonshire.”

  “Thank you, Lord Brandeis,” she replied, walking away from him. “Might I fetch you a cup of tea?”

  He chuckled. “A wonderful idea. Then we can practice how you both pour and drink your tea.”

  Recalling that the book had been very specific on how one was to drink one’s tea, Caroline rolled her eyes and sighed heavily, shaking her head. “I suppose I can,” she muttered, aware that Lord Brandeis was chuckling behind her. Looking back at him, seeing him seat himself in the old rocking chair by the fire, she frowned for a moment.

  “Remind me, Lord Brandeis, who else will be with us when we go to your father’s estate?”

  Lord Brandeis’s smile faded at once. “It is a celebration of my brother’s marriage, so you may expect a good few guests. We will spend ten days or so together, at my father’s estate. The wedding itself is to take place on the Thursday, at the parish of my soon to be sister-in-law.”

  Caroline nodded. “And is the parish far from your father’s house?”

  He shook his head. “It is only a few hours away. The estate we are to stay at is one of many that my father possesses and is, in fact, only in use for this house party. You see, my brother has known this particular young lady – Miss Elizabeth Gosford, daughter to Viscount Strictum - for a good many years and they have been betrothed from birth. Why it has taken them quite so long to set a wedding date is quite beyond me, given that my brother has always done everything just so. He has never done anything unexpected or untoward, making him the apple of my father’s eyes.”

  Frowning, Caroline noted just how bitter Lord Brandeis’s words were, making her heart clench with sympathy for him for just a moment.

  “So, in answer to your question, Miss Devonshire, we will have a house party of my brother, his bride to be – although she will go ahead to her father’s house and the parish a few days prior to the wedding in order to prepare – my father, the Marquess, my mother and a few other guests that either my father or my brother has chosen to invite.” He shrugged. “None of any particular consequence. Of course, after the wedding, there is a wedding breakfast at Lord Strictum’s estate but thereafter, we will be free to travel home once again.”

  She nodded slowly.

  “By that, I mean to return either to London or spend a few more days at my father’s estate,” Lord Brandeis explained, not looking particularly delighted with either prospect. “It shall be entirely up to you, of course, Miss Devonshire. I shall be quite at your disposal.”

  “Thank you, Lord Brandeis,” she murmured, wondering why he looked so displeased at the thought of being with his family. “Might I guess that you are not looking forward to seeing your family again?”

  His eyes leaped to hers, his lips taut. “Am I that transparent?” he murmured, gently, a sad smile now tugging at his lips. “No, Miss Devonshire, I do not look forward to their company. My brother, as I said, has done everything right and my father believes him to be the most wonderful son a gentleman could ever ask for. I am the exact opposite, Miss Devonshire. Your company will, I hope, prevent them from placing their continued frustrations and combined anger at my less than proper behavior back onto my shoulders, as they are inclined to do whenever we meet.”

  Caroline swallowed her surprise, turning away from him to make the tea. She had not expected Lord Brandeis to be so open with her, to speak so vulnerably about his family and the difficulties he faced with them. She supposed it was quite right for her to at least have some understanding of what kind of world she was about to enter.

  “I do apologize if I have overstepped the mark,” Lord Brandeis said softly, as she glanced over her shoulder at him. “Did I say too much?”

  She shook her head. “No, of course not.”

  His smile was relieved, the sadness leaving his eyes. “Good. Then, shall we practice pouring the tea?”

  Sighing heavily, she gestured for him to come closer. “Very well,” she murmured, tucking back a few strands of her light brown hair back behind her ear in preparation. “Just do not criticize me too much, Lord Brandeis.”

  He chuckled and she could not help but smile up at him. “Of course not, Miss Devonshire. Now, let us begin.”

  ∞∞∞

  “Do be careful.”

  Caroline smiled as Mrs. Beeson wiped her eyes, clearly overcome with emotion. Martin stood a few steps behind her, not saying anything, although his expression was one of co
ncern.

  “I will be very careful, Mrs. Beeson,” she promised, pressing her hand. “You need not worry. I will only be gone for a fortnight, perhaps a few days less than that.”

  Mrs. Beeson sniffed. “Yes, of course. I know. I will just miss you dreadfully.”

  Feeling her own throat begin to ache with emotion, Caroline hugged Mrs. Beeson tightly, not caring about whether her brand new gown would become wrinkled if she did so. “You have someone in to help you, don’t you?”

  Mrs. Beeson nodded, stepping back from Caroline’s embrace. “Yes, Martha is starting tonight.”

  “And you have Martin,” Caroline continued, with a quick glance in his direction. “I’ll write to you as soon as I can.”

  Nodding, Mrs. Beeson squeezed her hands again before letting her go, walking back towards Martin who immediately put his arm around her shoulders. Caroline, who was doing her best to hide her terrible anxiety, smiled at them both. She reluctantly turned back to the carriage where Lord Brandeis stood waiting with Peter.

  “Do you think she will be all right?” Peter murmured, as Caroline drew near. “She looks terribly upset.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be just fine,” Caroline replied, trying not to cry herself. “Do come on, Peter. We must go or else I shall turn into a watering pot.”

  Peter lifted his eyebrows, a smile spreading across his face. “My goodness, Caroline,” he murmured, helping her into the carriage. “You’ve even started talking a bit like them.”

  “I should hope so,” Lord Brandeis commented, pulling the door closed behind him as he took his seat next to Peter and opposite Caroline. “We’ve done enough work on it the last few days!”

  Caroline waved as the carriage pulled away, her heart tugging painfully as they left Smithfield Market, the tavern and Mrs. Beeson behind. And yet, despite her pain and despite her anxiety, she found that she was quite looking forward to starting her adventure with Lord Brandeis.