A silver ring winked in the sun, dimmed by time and hammered into a crescent moon. Just the sort of ring Gregory had
spoken of buried under Crescent Barrows.
“After the tale Mr. Harrow shared, I would find it an ill omen,” Arabella warned. “Be wise and choose something else.”
“No.” Lilly was too fond of her game to give it up. “I simply must have it.” She turned her grin to the Romani trader. “I will give you three pence for the ring.”
The old woman would not let the trinket go for less than five.
With a devilish smirk, Lilly turned to Arabella and caught up her hand. Removing the baroness’s glove, she slid the ring on her finger. “My gift to you, your ladyship.”
It was the kind of backhanded mockery the baroness had come to expect from Lilly. Should she refuse the ring, it would be rude. Should she accept, it would only invite future trouble.
“It fits as if made for you.” Lilly giggled, holding the unfashionable inferiority of the plain ring nearer her eyes for inspection. “How well it looks.”
The modest band shone all the brighter against her tawny skin, but Arabella ignored it, seeking to be rid of the girl. “Have you come with your family, Miss Jenkins? Shall I have Payne escort you back to your brother?”
Nose in the air, Lilly offered her most bored expression. “Edmund and Lizzy are only a few stalls down, digging through musty books.”
“Lilly!” Lizzy on his tail, Edmund pushed through the crowd, scowling at his renegade sister. “You must not wander off in these crowds.”
“Oh, but look what drew me away.” Lilly offered a coy smirk. “It is Lady Iliffe... I simply could not resist her.”
Edmund’s disapproval left the craggy face of the gypsy matron his sister had dared to barter with, softening at the sight of Arabella. “Good afternoon, your ladyship.” A gentle reprimand followed. “We have been expecting you daily.”
Lilly scoffed. “Really, Edmund...”
Arabella had given her word to return to Stonewall Grove for dancing lessons and had not kept her word. “There was much to do in preparation for the market. You must forgive me.”
Lizzy was all smiles, thrilled to have stumbled upon her friend. “And now you have three seasoned neighbors to assist you!”
“Today I have promised dear Mary all my attention.” Recognizing the mute girl must be introduced, Arabella smiled. “Miss Mary Abbey is an important member of my household. Mary, this is Mr. Jenkins, Miss Jenkins, and Miss Lizzy, friends of mine.” Nothing changed in the maid, yet Arabella patted her arm warmly as if everything were natural. “Mr. Jenkins is the gentleman who thought your cooking so fine he believed you were French. It was a great compliment.”
Lilly’s angelic face turned toward the silent partner glued to the baroness’s side, examining the simple frock and unadorned hat with contempt. “Your maid is simple?”
Stomaching Lilly’s slights when they were directed at herself was easy. Swallowing down her anger once it was Mary under fire, was impossible. Arabella took a step closer to Mary’s persecutor. “Miss Mary is a woman of few words but great ability. You will ask forgiveness of my friend.”
Lilly shrank, immediately stammering something as near to an apology a girl like her could manage.
Edmund was unsure how to smooth the insult. “Would you and your companion like to join us, Lady Iliffe?”
“Perhaps later.” A hollow smile was offered. “Thank you.”
“I insist.” Edmund offered to take her other arm. “I shall be servant to you fine ladies, and between us, whatever you need will be found all the more quickly.”
What Arabella needed was a private conversation with the Romani trader watching the exchange with interest. But that was not to be. Edmund was not giving up the opportunity to have her on his arm.
Edmund Jenkins with his light hair, his fair, unblemished skin... was as English as an Englishman could be. How did he not see that she was brown-skinned, that she was of the very stock of trader he’d sneered at?
Would he still offer friendship once he knew? Would he be afraid of her, ashamed to have called her friend?
Probably. Yes.
Arabella was not going to be led off. “My business with this merchant is incomplete. I have offered to buy the mirror for Mary.”
Edmund could only stand silently as Arabella pulled her arm from his so she might open her reticule. The Romani wrapped the silver in sackcloth, coin was exchanged, the package handed to Payne... and still the Jenkins siblings lingered.
There was no getting rid of them. “Are you considering chastising me for bartering with the old woman?”