Never Land the First Fish

Chapter Eight, Part 1

"Be reasonable, Julia," Gills begged, keeping his voice down so their argument did not entertain the entire shop.

There was about as much chance of her heeding his request as there was of her suddenly deciding to fly away, more's the pity.

"I cannot accept so much from you, Gills." The jewels she'd sewn into the hem of her gown had turned out to be paste. "Just like Athol: false to the end," she'd said, but registered no real surprise. She'd fought Gills when he offered her his support, even after he explained—three times—that he wasn't offering to make her his mistress. She'd only given in when Maddox snapped, "Should I be forced to hear you whining for one more minute, Lady Julia, I will take back the gown I gave you and leave you on the streets of New York in your chemise. Let Gills help you, for it is certain no one else will."

"Two serviceable gowns will be plenty to start work, and once I am paid, I can buy more."

How much she thought she'd be paid as a lady's maid or governess, Gills was not certain, but he was sure it wouldn't be enough to buy gowns, plural. But still, they were finally on a first name basis, if she didn't turn haughty on him again, just on principle.

"Maddox lent me the money precisely to support both of us until we can get back to England and I can collect my trust. That includes buying you more than two ugly dresses. I can see you want the green gown with the jacket. It's written all over your face. Please allow me to buy it for you."

"What will the proprietress think, if I let some man buy my dresses? The grey and the brown are more than sufficient."

"Who cares what the proprietress thinks? The green will look lovely on you."

"You two are so stubborn, it's a wonder you get anything done." Maddox entered the tiny shop, loaded down with his own purchases. "I've hired a carriage, once you are ready to go. Lady Julia, I have known Gills since we were both in short pants, and I can assure you, he will not stop until you are in the green gown. If he has to come back and buy it without you, it will turn up in your wardrobe."

Gills narrowed his eyes at Maddox, but said nothing, as it was true. He'd already told the dressmaker to save Julia's measurements from taking in the ugly grey dress that looked no better than a sack.

The dressmaker returned from the back of the shop with the brown dress, which had required more alteration to fit properly. "Here you are, Miss, Sir. Is this gentleman with you, then?"

Maddox inclined his head. "Indeed."

Gills could no longer restrain himself. "I shall ask you to open an account in my name, Madam, against which La—Miss Marloughe may buy anything she likes." The name change had been Julia's idea, not wishing for any of the trouble with her husband to follow them here.

"Lord Joseph! I cannot--"

"You can and you will. You cannot find respectable work looking like a washerwoman."

Maddox agreed. "Tidy is the key. And dull. But not," he said, waving his hand at the brown dress," hideous." Maddox's nose wrinkled as though the grey and brown dresses smelled bad.

"Should it ease your mind, though I cannot think how it would," Maddox added, "Gills or your father will pay me back every dime when we return to England. Now, my good woman, can you please see that the green gown is altered to fit Miss Marloughe and sent to our hotel? You can put the bill on Lord Joseph's account." He gestured to the gown in the window, that was the primary reason Julia had wanted to patronize this shop.

"Of course, Sir."

"It is unfair the two of you can just gang up on my like that. Neither of you are my father, brother, or husband. You should not be purchasing my attire. I cannot gainsay either of you, no matter how it might reflect on me."