Miss Fitzwilliam's Christmas Redemption by Pembroke Lydia

Author:Pembroke, Lydia [Pembroke, Lydia]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2019-12-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The following day, Letitia found herself wandering the streets of Upper Nettlefold alone. Her aunt had taken to bed with a sore throat and a mild headache, allowing Letitia a glimpse of freedom. Having been unable to visit Timmins Fabric and Bonnets shop the previous day, she felt herself pulled in its direction.

The bonnets had been so beautiful, and one in particular had caught her eye — a sapphire-blue design with trimmed peacock feathers fanned out to one side. She paused as she neared, for another figure was already standing outside the shop, eyes wide in admiration of the display. Ruth… She held a large box in her hands, and seemed transfixed by the shop window.

“Ruth?” Letitia said, nearing the girl.

Ruth turned in surprise.

“Goodness, you startled me. I disappeared for a moment there.”

A small smile curved up the corners of her lips.

“They are very beautiful, are they not?”

Ruth nodded.

“They are, though I could never hope to afford such things. Mrs. Hardcastle gave us a small purse each to purchase ribbons and lace for our dresses, but these items are far beyond my reach.” She sighed softly. “And besides, my dress is so very plain that I do not believe there is any ribbon pretty enough to embellish it.”

“You never know, Ruth. Shall we go inside?” Letitia encouraged. “It would not hurt to look, would it?”

“Oh… I do not know, Miss Fitzwilliam. Do you think we ought to?”

“I say we must,” Letitia replied with a friendly smile. “It would be rude to admire such accessories and fabrics, and not take a closer look.”

Leading the way, the two girls entered the shop in a flurry of excitement. This time, there were two men behind the counter — one young, and one much, much older. Indeed, the latter appeared to be falling asleep in his chair, whilst the younger gentleman placed folds of fabric into their wooden pigeonholes. Letitia squinted in surprise as she looked upon a vaguely familiar face. Now, she realised why the name Timmins had seemed so memorable.

“Mr. Percy Timmins,” she said aloud, before she could stop herself. “You came into the shop in Belgravia, did you not?”

Mr Timmins nodded tentatively, a smile gracing his lips.

“I did indeed, Miss Fitzwilliam. I am surprised that you would remember me, for our meeting was so very brief.”

“I never forget a friendly face, Mr Timmins,” she replied. “How curious that you should come to be here, when my aunt and I have come to visit for Christmas. Life is rather strange, is it not?”

“Indeed it is, Miss Fitzwilliam. I trust you are finding Upper Nettlefold to your liking?”

“It is most pleasant,” Letitia said brightly, admiring the handsome features of Mr Timmins’s face.

She had forgotten how kind he had appeared that day, when they had first met. Indeed, upon looking at him, one could not help but smile.

“Were you browsing for anything in particular?” Mr Timmins asked, addressing both young ladies.

“My friend here, Miss Hampson, is in need of a ribbon,” Letitia replied.

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