Page 46

Caroline realized Annie had not met the duchess the day before. “Your Grace, may I present Miss Annie Greer?”

“Your Grace?” the girl echoed, blinking. “Cor!”

The duchess grinned. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Greer. How do you enjoy working for Mrs. Brown?”

“I love working here … Your Grace.”

“She is a remarkable artist. You will learn much as her apprentice.”

Annie nodded, eyes bright with admiration.

Caroline assisted Her Grace with removing her carriage dress and then with donning the walking gown. Stepping back, she admired the final effect.

The duchess’s chestnut hair shimmered in contrast to the Prussian blue velvet, and the golden embroidery of the coat of arms glowed with quiet splendor across the back.

Her Grace turned this way and that in the mirror, then returned to the front of the shop. The duke had entered during their absence. When he saw his wife, his gray eyes lit with appreciation.

“Is it not splendid, Duke?”

“It is,” he said, his smile fond, “but it cannot rival the beauty of the wearer.”

The duchess laughed sweetly, brushing a hand over the front of the gown. “I adore it, Mrs. Brown. It is truly unique. I shall wear it when we visit our tenants on New Year’s Day. I believe it shall cause quite the stir at Avonmead.”

Caroline exhaled, the tightness in her chest dissolving as the past fell away and an unencumbered future took its place. “I am so pleased to have done this for you.”

After assisting the duchess in removing the gown and wrapping it once more in silver paper, Caroline watched as the noble couple took their leave. She stepped outside to see them off in the fading light, waving as the carriage rolled down the lane.

Looking down, she saw Annie had come to stand beside her.

“Do you think I shall make a gown for a duchess one day?”

“Anything is possible if you work hard and practice.”

“The dress was very beautiful, Mrs. Brown.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you sad it is not to be yours, like you intended?”

“Not at all. I did not realize it at the time, but it was always destined for Her Grace. Everything is as it should be.”

Caroline accepted the truth of it.

Two years ago, she had not the means to repair what she had done. In the interim, she had worked hard to further her skills, even when there had been no hope of owning her own shop. When the opportunity had presented itself to pursue her dream, in the form of Lord Saunton’s apology and offer of amends, she had seized it to make her dream come to fruition. Then, as a final step, she had expressed her gratitude to Miss Annabel and completed the dress. The garment had been a method of proving herself, but sacrificing it to regain her self-respect felt right. Its value had grown by gifting it to the person who deserved to have it.

Of course, her happy ending had been facilitated by a certain blacksmith who had seen fit to meddle.

What was she to do about William?

William stood on the road outside the smithy, taking a break from the heat of the forges to savor the wintry chill against his skin.

As he lifted his face to the cold breeze, a familiar sight caught his eye. The ducal carriage was gliding along Market Street.

His brow lifted. The duchess had returned for a second visit?

It must be a promising sign.

He supposed—hoped—that meant the past had been laid to rest.