Free The Mistress of Hanover Square by Anne Herries

it.’
    ‘I bought it the day after we saw it,’ Emily said and helped herself to some toast and honey. ‘Lady Pendleton gave me a lovely scent flask with silver ends last evening, but this purse…it is the most beautiful thing I have ever owned.’
    ‘I am glad you are pleased with it, my love. Has Mr Sinclair given you a gift?’
    ‘No—but I think he has one for me. I believe he intended it to be a ring…’ She fiddled with her toast. ‘I bought a horn-and-ivory card case inlaid with gold for him, but I am undecided as to whether I should give it to him or not.’
    ‘I am certain that you should exchange gifts with Mr Sinclair, Emily. He is a close friend and I also have a gift for him. You may deliver mine at the same time if it makes you feel better, my love.’
    ‘Yes, I think it would. I should not feel so particular. May I ask what you have bought for Mr Sinclair?’
    ‘I purchased a rather fine diamond stickpin. It has the shape of four hands linking and I thought it might appeal to him.’
    ‘It will be the very thing for him,’ Emily said and laughed delightedly. ‘He was so very desperate to become a member of the Four-in-Hand Club and he delights in wearing the special waistcoat.’
    ‘I am very fond of that gentleman,’ Amelia said with a smile. ‘He played his part in the fortunes of both of my protégées. Susannah and Helene have both been lucky. I should be happy to see you settled as well, Emily my love.’
    A delicate blush appeared in her companion’s cheeks. ‘I think I may say without fear of boasting that Mr Sinclair does care for me—but whether he could accept my shame…’
    ‘Emily, that is enough! The shame belongs to the man who forced you, my love. I will not have you hang your head. I was thinking that I would ask you to be my bridesmaid—and, of course, Susannah and Helene will be matrons of honour if they can spare the time from their busy lives—and Lisa must be a bridesmaid also, of course.’
    ‘I should be honoured,’ Emily told her and finished eating her toast. ‘Mr Sinclair asked me if I would be paying my usual morning visit to the nursery and I said yes. I have a gift for Susannah’s son—and also a little ring that I had as a girl, which I mean to give to Lisa.’
    ‘How thoughtful of you, my love,’ Amelia approved. ‘I bought a doll for Lisa…just in case she was staying here with her father this Christmas. I think I shall come with you this morning—if you would not mind waiting until I dress?’
    ‘I should be delighted. I usually go for a walk after I visit the children, but it snowed early this morning. Not enough to make walking impossible, but I felt…’ She floundered to a halt.
    ‘Yes, I understand.’Amelia nodded. ‘I too shall be very careful when and where I walk until Gerard has his men in place. It may be as well to remain indoors for the moment—and we may blame the weather for it is inclement.’
    ‘You wish to keep last night’s incident as private as possible? I doubt that it will be possible, Amelia. Not everyone will keep it to himself or herself. I dare say the incident will be whispered of, if not openly admitted.’
    ‘Yes, I fear that it may.’ Amelia sighed. ‘We, however, shall make light of it—there was a rogue near the church who sought to rob us. It is a weak excuse but it will suffice. Excuse me while I dress.’
    ‘There is no hurry. I have something to do first—besides, you have not yet opened all your letters.’
    ‘I have rather a lot of them, but I shall open one or two before I dress.’ She looked with pleasure at the pile of letters waiting for her.
    One of Amelia’s chief pleasures in life was in writing to her friends. It was a good way of keeping in touch with many acquaintances she hardly eversaw. Amongst the cards and greetings she had received that Christmas morning was one from a lady for whom she had profound sympathy. The lady was very much in the position Amelia had been for years,