Blessed Beginnings (Hunter's Ridge Book 4) (7 page)

Once inside the store, Molly asked if they wanted to go with her to pick up some items she needed.

"Oh, can't we please shop ourselves?" Ettie asked. "We'll stay together but if we go with you, we might run out of time."

Molly looked at the four girls. "Promise no one will go off alone?" All the girls nodded and Molly said she'd not take long before hurrying off. The girls asked a clerk where the sewing supplies were and then walked to that area.

"What about these?" Ettie asked, holding up two skeins of yarn.

"What if the baby is a girl?" Franny asked upon seeing the blue yarn.

"Oh, I never really thought about that," Ettie confessed. "Maybe I should make two afghans?"

"Or you might use yellow or green instead?" Lucy suggested. "Or even white."

"No, I want Cleo on it and she's white," Ettie countered and then nodded. "I think green would be okay, as no animals besides snakes and lizards are green, and no baby wants those on a blanket." The others helped her gather the green yarn as well as a few skeins of other colors for the animals she wanted to knit into the blanket. "Let me go pay for these so they can wrap them up before Bea gets here," she said, and was about to move when Louisa reminded her of the rules.

"Good grief, it's not like I'm leaving the store, and Lucas isn't even here!" Ettie huffed.

"You won't have to worry about your brother if Molly catches you," Lucy warned. "And, believe me, I don't think she'd wait until we got home to show her disapproval, either!"

Ettie stomped her foot. "This is ridiculous. You don't see hordes of others shopping together. How am I supposed to get everything else I want to keep a surprise? I'm a grown woman, not a six-year-old!"

"There's nothing wrong with being young."

Four heads turned to see who had spoken.

"Oh, hello, Mr. Whitmore," Lucy said.

"Hello, Lady Huntington, or I suppose I should say Ladies Huntington and Lady Wintercrest." He chuckled and gave a small bow. "It's such a pleasure to see you accepted my invitation." Though his words included them all, his eyes were on Ettie.

"It's our pleasure, sir," Ettie said. "You store is amazing and I'm sure it is quite safe to shop without others hovering over your every move."

Lucy heard Franny gasp at her sister's audacity before Mr. Whitmore spoke again.

"You can hardly blame anyone who might wish to accompany you, my dear. I do believe my store is safe enough, but I can understand your brother's need to ensure it is so."

Lucy, a bit afraid that Ettie would launch into an argument, and not wanting to be involved in any possibly embarrassing scene, hurried to say, "How about I go with Franny and Louisa can go with you, Ettie?"

"That would also give me a chance to personally show you about the store," David said, offering his arm to Ettie. The others relaxed when Molly returned in time to hear Ettie giggle and hold up her arms, which were full of yarn. Mr. Whitmore's chuckle showed his ability to laugh at himself as he plucked a few skeins from her before offering his arm again. Molly turned to follow, leaving the other three to shop together.

"Thank goodness, Miss Molly showed up," Franny said and the others agreed.

"Let's find the things you need," Louisa suggested.

They found the paper, quills, ink and pencils in a corner of the store. "There are so many different choices," Lucy said, amazed at the variety of loose paper as well as thin and thick bound journals. "Are you looking for something like this?" She held up a book of papers she'd used herself in school.

"No, I don't know how long the book will turn out, and I can't illustrate it if every page has lines on it."

"Oh, then how about these?" Louisa held up different blank sheets in each hand.

"No, those are for watercolors and I'm not very good at that type of painting."

With a big sigh, Lucy looked again at the stacks of paper. Not only were some of various textures, there were stacks of different sizes as well. "I'm afraid I'm not much help, then."

"Should we ask for help?" Louisa suggested.

"May I offer some assistance?"

Lucy whipped around to find yet another of Uncle Stefan's dinner guests. Before she could speak, Franny did. "I'd appreciate all the assistance I can get. Thank you, Mr. Benedict."

Within seconds, the two were discussing the qualities of each type of paper, leaving Lucy and Louisa looking at each other. Taking her twin's hand, Lucy pulled her a short distance away to give the couple a bit of privacy. Whereas Ettie could cause who knew what sort of chaos when left to her own devices, Franny was the obedient, quiet one who could be trusted to obey every rule without question.

As the minutes ticked away, Lucy was surprised to discover that Mr. Benedict's offer of help wasn't just out of politeness. As she listened to him speak of how different textures took to different inks or paints, she understood the papers were indeed different and it was obviously appropriate to touch each one. She watched as Franny's finger stroked across a piece of thicker paper and then smiled when Mr. Whitmore's finger met hers in the center of the page.
Well, well. It seems our Franny isn't quite the mouse she presents herself to be.
She was thrilled to see a blush coloring Franny's usually pale cheeks and a smile curving her lips. Turning to Louisa, she noticed that her sister was also smiling.

"They look good together," Louisa whispered.

"I know, and isn't it great that they both appear to like writing and drawing?" Lucy added. Louisa nodded and the twins began looking at the various tins of paints as the paper discussion continued.

"Thank you, Mr. Whitmore. I think these will be a perfect start."

Lucy had been looking at the various pens and paints but turned to look over her shoulder to see that Franny was accepting a stack of paper from the barrister.

"I'll ask your brother for permission to show you how simple paper becomes a book."

"That would be wonderful. I hadn't even considered all you've said."

"Then I'm glad I ran into you," David said and then chuckled. "Of course, I've been dropping in at around lunchtime every day since the dinner party, hoping to see you."

"You have?"

"Yes, Lady Huntington, I have, and I hope that fact doesn't frighten you."

Lucy held her breath, hoping against hope that Franny could see that the man was obviously very interested in her. She didn't breathe again until she heard Franny assure him that she didn't mind.

"Then you'd not object if I asked permission to take you to lunch?"

"Oh, um, I don't know. I mean, I'm here with my family. Perhaps—"

"Why don't you join us?" Lucy interrupted. "I'm sure no one will mind."

Franny's look was sweet, as if silently thanking Lucy for extending the invitation. That settled, they looked at boxes of what Ettie had called 'color sticks'. When Franny chose a box—but only after debating for several minutes over another, which held deeper hued colors—Lucy suggested that they hurry to pay before Bea discovered the plan. When David offered his arm, the chosen paper in his free hand, Franny blushed and accepted.

They met Ettie and Molly as they made their way to the counter. Ettie held out a bag. "Take one, they are delicious."

The three girls looked inside to see an assortment of candies. "You spent your Christmas money on candy for yourself?" Franny asked.

"If it were only for myself, I wouldn't offer to share," Ettie said with a roll of her eyes. "And I didn't spend a penny. Mr. Whitmore insisted I try a variety, but if you don't want any…"

"I do," Louisa said and made her choice, as did Lucy.

"It's almost time for lunch," Franny said.

"Ah, but it's the holidays," Samuel said before turning to Ettie. "May I?" At her nod, he chose a piece from the bag and offered it to Franny. "Little ladies who are going to give a piece of their heart in the gift you are planning, deserve a treat."

Lucy smiled again. This man was far different from Lord Drakemore. The moment she'd met Walter, she'd felt an aversion to him. With Mr. Benedict, she felt nothing but hope that he was truly as nice as he appeared.

"Thank you," Franny said, popping the candy into her mouth. As he led her towards the counter again, Lucy almost laughed when she saw Molly shaking her head before turning to follow them.

"Poor Molly," Lucy said, unwrapping her candy to find it was a rather large jawbreaker. "She came to Hunter's Ridge to watch over me and yet now it appears she has four girls to chaperone."

The three giggled and then finished their shopping. They needn't have worried about Bea discovering their plan, as she and Frank only entered the store when it was close to noon.

"Didn't you buy anything?" Ettie asked, since neither one of the couple were holding any packages.

"Yes, but we left them in the carriage," Frank explained.

"Did you leave the store with any stock?" The question had Lucy giggling at her Papa as he joined them.

"Only because I was running out of money," Ettie quipped, holding up her arms which, unlike her eldest sister's, were full. "Did you get me something?"

Lucas laughed and shook his head. "You never were one for waiting until Christmas, were you? I remember a certain little girl getting her bottom spanked when discovered unwrapping gifts days early."

"Lucas!" Ettie gasped, again looking around. "What is it about you and that word? People could hear you!"

His laugh showed he wasn't truly concerned as he offered to take her purchases to the carriage. Lucy offered to take Franny's and Louisa's and followed him out to the carriage. Once he'd stowed the packages, he pulled her into his arms. Bending down, he spoke against her ear. "I admit I'm a little surprised you have the strength to suckle that candy."

"Papa!" Lucy gasped, and then coughed when the candy almost got lodged in her throat. A firm slap in between her shoulder blades had the jawbreaker shooting from her mouth to bounce off the street before settling in the snow accumulated at the edge of the walkway. "Oh!" Lucy said, and looked up to see her husband smiling. He bent and kissed her softly.

"You don't need sweets, you are already sweet enough, my love."

Lucy smiled. "Thank you, but you owe me a jawbreaker, Papa. That was a gift from Mr. Whitmore."

"How about a cup of tea instead?" he suggested. "Your voice is a little hoarse."

She blushed again, both knowing the reason for her slightly irritated throat. Nodding, she told him how both Ettie and Franny had run into men from the Northbridges' dinner party.

He groaned and she giggled. "You have to admit, it looks like it's going to be a very interesting holiday season."

"I'm just hoping I have the strength to live through it," Lucas said.

"Oh, Papa, I have no fear that you won't," Lucy quipped. "But if you wish to conserve your strength, I suppose I can try to be very good so that you won't have to take me across your knees."

"Ah, little one, remember, Father Christmas only leaves gifts for good little girls… not sassy ones who make promises they can't possibly keep."

At her protest, he rubbed his palm against the back of her skirts, dropping a kiss on top of her head before leading her back inside the store and through an arch to an adjoining café.

"Oh, I forgot, I invited Mr. Benedict to join us. Is that okay?" she said.

"Yes, kitten, that's fine. Samuel is a good man, and I'm glad to hear that our Franny appears to like him."

Lucy thought of how truly concerned her husband had been when he'd returned home to discover that a man he didn't approve of was courting his little sister. She had absolutely no doubt that he'd made sure that Uncle Stefan's friend was worthy of possibly courting Franny. Squeezing his hand, she said, "I like him, too."

"Then, my love, I feel even more at ease. Now, if we can find that perfect man for Ettie, we can all relax."

Lucy giggled. "That might be a bit harder but I'm sure there is someone out there who will capture not only her sweet tooth, but also her heart."

Lunch was a merry affair and the food was delicious. Mr. Whitmore, who joined them as well, insisted they try various courses, the stream of dishes seemingly endless. Lucy moaned and shook her head when offered another bite. "I can't possibly. I'll pop!" Evidently she'd voiced what everyone felt and the meal finally drew to a close. Lucas thanked David for his hospitality when the store owner refused to accept any sort of payment.

"The only thing I ask is permission to come call on Henrietta," he said, his eyes going to where Ettie sat with a huge smile on her face.

"We'd love to have you join us for a reception on Friday evening," Lucas said as he shook the man's hand. When Frank led Bea away, Sam Benedict made a similar request. "I would love to help Frances with her project for the expectant parents. It would be easier to have her visit me as everything is there but, of course, I understand that she will need to be accompanied by a chaperone."

"Since the project is for Beatrice, that leaves her unavailable to serve as chaperone," Lucas said.

"I'd be glad to accompany her one afternoon," Molly offered. "Of course, that means the twins will either need to come with us, or—"

"Please, bring them, and Ettie as well, if you'd like," Samuel offered. "How about tomorrow afternoon for tea?"

"That would be acceptable, but only if Franny agrees," Lucas said.

"Thank you, Lucas," Franny said with a smile before turning to Samuel. "I'd love to, Mr. Benedict."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow around three?" Once the time had been agreed upon, he shook Lucas's hand, thanking him again. "I'd better get back to work before Stefan wonders if I've left the firm." He left, and Lucas gathered his family and herded them back outside.

Edward chuckled at his friend's exaggerated sigh. "You know you are loving playing matchmaker," he said as he settled Louisa on his lap.

"I guess it never truly occurred to me that once the door was opened, things would move so quickly."

"Really? Aren't you the man who admitted he fell in love the moment he plucked a certain girl off a library ladder?"