Alicia Read Free Page A

showed a modest amount of activity going forth. Next there was a bookseller’s shop, obviously given over to prints and paintings as well. The pastry cook’s front was narrow and somewhat dark, but more than made up for by the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked breads which issued forth.
    Alicia’s eye next fell on an older sign, Joseph Dean, Linen Draper and Haberdasher, Established 1775. She gave a sigh of contentment and smiled at Stephen. “Here it is. Shall we have Lady Gorham’s barouche taken to the inn? No doubt you are both sharp set, but I cannot wait to see the shop.”
    Stephen and Felicia agreed to postpone their meal, as both were only slightly less interested than Alicia herself in ascertaining the condition of her proposed purchase. Stephen appraised the double-fronted building with its three fan windows skeptically, but noted that it would take little more than a coat of trim paint to make it look very attractive. The room into which they entered was enormous. Shelves on either side were stacked with rolls of fabric and reached at least twelve feet to the ceiling. There were tables, counters, chairs, and ladders in the first room, with a smaller room behind where ready-made items were displayed.
    Mr. Dean himself came to assist them; he looked sallow and shrunken and Alicia had a strong desire to recommend that he seat himself. She did not wish to embarrass or upset him, so she quelled her desire and allowed him to explain to her the workings of his shop. His assistant, Gregory Allerton, quietly and efficiently assisted the customers who wandered in during their tour of inspection. These customers were of as much interest to Alicia as the inventory Mr. Dean rattled off of Irish poplins, French gloves, Indian muslins, brocades, and a staggering variety of other items. The shop was obviously patronized by a wide range of country society, including men, women, and children of almost every class.
    Mr. Allerton treated them each respectfully, and he surprised Alicia by showing great deference to an eccentrically dressed elderly woman who tended to snap at him.
    “You need not tell me these will wear well, young man, for I have the evidence of my own eyes to disprove it. Did I not buy a similar pair of gloves not two years past? Look at them now—a bundle of rags,”she stormed, waving the offending items in his face. “There is not an item carried in this shop which can hold up to a bit of use.”
    “Perhaps if you were to consider these kid gloves rather than the satin, my lady,”the young man suggested deferentially.
    “Kid gloves? Why, they cost the earth!”she protested with a glare.
    “They justify the extra expense by how well they wear, I assure you. And our price for them is quite reasonable.”
    “Reasonable! I should not consider two guineas reasonable. Why, in my youth they were to be had in London for under a guinea.”The old woman’s eyes glazed reminiscently. “I had a pair of lavender kid gloves for ten years. Now that is something you cannot provide nowadays—a pair of gloves which will wear for ten years! Ten days, more like.”
    Mr. Allerton, uncomfortable under this attack before Alicia and her party, cast a worried glance at Mr. Dean, who hastily excused himself from them and trotted over to the recalcitrant customer.
    “Good day, my lady. Is there some problem? Perhaps I can personally assist you to find what you need.”
    Her ladyship bent a disparaging eye on him. “I doubt it, Mr. Dean. You cannot produce what you do not carry, which is quality merchandise.”
    “If your ladyship wishes to have me order something from York or London...,”he suggested tentatively.
    “And pay for the service? I should think not. My son can bring me anything I need, I thank you.”
    At this point Mr. Allerton re-entered the conversation. “Perhaps you would care to consider these white satin mitts for the time being, Lady Stronbert. They might serve until the marquis makes a journey to