Free What Lucinda Learned by Beth Bryan Page B

thing, my dear. You are sure to find what you want there. But—” she wagged a finger “—be careful what you buy: no Cranbourne Alley articles!”
    Lucinda laughed again and promised. It was with a gratifying sense of freedom and sophistication that she set out with her footman.
    It was delightful to wander again by the various stalls, picking up a lacy shawl here, a pair of pearl combs there, adding a blue-dyed ostrich plume now, then a painted Chinese fan. Soon Albert was struggling to hold the proliferating parcels.
    Lucinda paused by a tray of ribbons. She was thoughtfully fingering a length of cherry grosgrain when a soft drawl behind her made her jump. She whirled round to find Mr. Devereux regarding her with a rather quizzical expression.
    “No, Miss Neville.” He shook his head at her. “No.”
    “No?” Lucinda looked down at the ribbon in her hand. “Do you mean you do not care for this shade?”
    “Not with that hair.”
    Lucinda chuckled huskily. “You needn’t shudder. I wasn’t really going to buy it. It’s just,” she went on, looking a trifle wistful, “I look so very insipid in the pale colours young ladies are supposed to wear.”
    “Believe me, Miss Neville, no one could possibly describe you as insipid.”
    Lucinda blushed and looked away. Then a thought struck her and the great brown eyes flew to his face. “Oh, sir, I did not mean, that is, I was not...”
    “Angling for compliments, do you mean? Again, Miss Neville, no one who knew you could suppose for a minute that you were.”
    Lucinda smiled uncertainly. Was he quizzing her? Or even, unlikely as it seemed, flirting with her?
    Devereux watched the emotions play across her face with amusement. Then, telling himself sternly that he must not take undue advantage of her inexperience, he said kindly, “Are you wondering what brings me back to the ’Change so soon after our visit?”
    “Well, er, yes.” Lucinda had been so surprised to see him at all that she had not thought to question his appearance.
    “I saw your carriage outside and I took the opportunity to apologize.”
    “Apologize, sir? I do not understand.”
    Mr. Devereux was not sure he himself understood the impulse that had made him stop at the sight of the Neville carriage and had brought him into an establishment he would normally have passed in total indifference. However, he offered an explanation as much to himself as to Lucinda.
    “I have not forgotten my promise to show you Castor and Pollux, but we have both been much occupied. I have thought of that promise and of you often, Miss Neville.”
    Lucinda blushed again at the thought she had been in Beau Devereux’s thoughts. Somehow, it made her feel happy but at the same time a little nervous.
    “Is Mrs. Cleeson with you?”
    “She’s much occupied this afternoon. Albert, my footman, is with me.”
    Devereux looked at that long-suffering man. “Let me make it up to you for my neglect, Miss Neville. Send Albert home with the packages. He may inform Mrs. Cleeson I have taken you for a drive and will bring you home later.” He saw the hesitation and also the eagerness in Lucinda’s eyes. “It is quite proper, Miss Neville. My tiger will be present and we shall be in an open vehicle.”
    “I should like to,” said Lucinda, telling herself that it was obviously her duty to see how Castor and Pollux did.
    “Then come,” said Mr. Devereux.
    And Lucinda did. She sent the grateful Albert and her purchases home and followed Mr. Devereux through the crowded gallery. At one stall, he stopped so suddenly that she almost bumped into him.
    He held out an arm to steady her. “Miss Neville, do I understand you to be tired of the pale colours young ladies are obliged to wear?”
    “I don’t feel that they quite suit,” Lucinda confessed rather hesitantly, uncertain whether this was the sort of topic one discussed with gentlemen.
    “I’ve told you what I think of that. But you are wanting something out of the