She had never had anyone to command before. Or was it a term of speech? She had been so little in company, and her sisters teased her about taking people so literally. “Thank you.”

“It is my pleasure.” His tone was serious as if he meant it.

The merchant obviously traveled to many places. His wares included several types of silk in varying colors, but what caught her attention was a fine, stiff netting. “What is this? I have never seen anything like it before?”

He unwound part of one bolt. “Milady, it is called tulle, because it comes from the French village of Tulle.”

Tiny sequins were sewn into the material. “It is beautiful.” Mama had given her a great deal of money to spend, but did Thalia have enough? The merchant was also tempting her with some lovely muslins and silks. “How much is it?”

He named a sum, but what did she know about a reasonable price? “Mannering?”

“It is a fair price, my lady.” The maid also seemed to be interested in the tulle. “If you’ll choose what you like, I’ll see if we have the funds for it.”

“If not,” Kendal said, “I shall loan you the amount. I had the opportunity to see this made into an evening gown when I was in Paris, and it was magnificent. You will not regret the purchase.”

Thalia bit her lip. She really did want the fabric, but . . . “I am sure I should not accept such a sum from a gentleman.”

“I promise you, it is strictly a loan, and I shall expect prompt repayment.” His gray eyes smiled, but his tone was firm.

Well, if it was a loan, she could repay him almost immediately. When they went to the inn for tea, some of her family would be there. She could ask her brother, if need be. “Thank you. I shall accept your kind offer.”

Gazing at her, his lips formed a slow smile that made little shivers run through her. “Think nothing of it. If you were at a regular shop, you’d be able to put it on account. This is simply another method of doing that.”

She had never put anything on account, but apparently that was a normal practice when shopping. She matched his smile with one of her own. “What an interesting way of putting it.”

Kendal turned out to be very interested in all the different fabrics, and more than happy to engage in discussing the merits of one over the other. By the time they were finished, she had bought several bolts, most of them paid for by him.

Handing the merchant several gold coins, Kendal said, “These will need to be taken to the White Horse and given to one of the servants working for either the Duchess of Hull or the Duchess of Melbrough.” He glanced at Thalia. “Even I cannot carry all of this.”

There were a good many bolts. “No, of course not.”

The man’s eyes widened. “Yes, my lord.”

Talia started to open her mouth, but Kendal took her arm. “Shall we visit the next booth?”

He steered her away from the fabric stand rather quickly and expertly. Her brothers would have dragged her away. “Why did you do that? I was going to tell him it was not the right way to address you.”

He cocked a brow. “That’s exactly the reason. Not everyone needs to know who I am.”

She did not understand. “But many people seem to know my title of lady. Do they not know yours?”

“Some know yours because they have heard your maid call you my lady, but others do it as a sign of respect. Mere misses will be flattered, and they run no risk of insulting a lady of rank.”

“Oh.” She had not thought of it in that way. “It never would have occurred to me.”

“No.” His well-shaped lips pressed together, but the ends tipped up. “I do not suppose you have been anywhere that you have not been known.”

He was correct. She had not been. But how lowering that he knew it.

A woman greeted them at the next stand. “My lord, my lady, how may I help you?”

The next hour or so went on as the previous ones had. Thalia conferred with her maid, and now Kendal, concerning her purchases. “I would like to buy something for the babies. I know they are all very young, but someone here must have toys for babies.”

The duke, who was taller than her by at least a foot, scanned the rest of the booths. “Come with me. I see someone with wooden wares. He might have toys for children.”

When they reached the stand, he was proved right. “The rattles would do well for my sisters’ children. They are only a few months old. But my sister-in-law Meg’s little boy is almost a year.”

“Perhaps these blocks, my lady,” the man said.

The squares had brightly colored animals on two sides, numbers on one side, and letters on the fourth side. “I think he would enjoy those.”

The clock stuck the hour as they finished her final purchase. Kendal held his arm out again. “I must say, I have never had so much enjoyment from shopping.” Then he grinned and his dimple showed again. “I am quite sure the church will have enough for its roof.”

If he had been one of her brothers she would have hit him. Raising her chin, she sniffed. “I do not like being teased when I can do nothing in retaliation.”

Instead of begging her pardon, the blasted man burst out laughing, and she decided to pinch him.

“Ouch!” Kendal gave her an aggrieved look. “That hurt.”

“It was meant to.” Her mother might scold Thalia for pinching a gentleman she had just met, but he had not behaved much like a gentleman with his teasing, and she would not be sorry for it. “When a lady has as many brothers as I do, Your Grace, she knows how retaliate.” She gave him the superior look she gave her younger brothers. “I do not take teasing lightly.”

“Apparently,” Kendal muttered. “Remind me not to get in your black books.”

“I shall.” The words were out before she thought that she might be taking his words too literally again. “If you truly do want me to remind you.”

His eyes seemed to smile at her as he rubbed his arm near the cuff of his jacket. “I am completely serious.”

They reached the inn, and Kendal opened the door for Lady Thalia and her maid, then followed the ladies in to a small hall. “I am Kendal. We are looking for the parlor reserved for the Duchesses of Hull and Melbrough.”

The man bowed. “This way, Your Grace.”

Kendal had been serious about never having so much fun shopping. And it amazed and impressed him that Lady Thalia had put so much thought into each item she bought. Was that the product of never having the freedom to shop on her own before? Or was it simply her nature?

He thought of his older sisters’ shopping expeditions, and how quickly they lost interest in much of what they’d bought. Come to think of it, except for birthdays and Christmas, they had rarely purchased gifts for others.

Yet, Lady Thalia had seemed to have a mental list of people who might like a present. Including those who could well afford whatever they wanted, such as her sisters and mother. Was she the person Berwick had meant Kendal to meet?

His mentor had been against Kendal’s first marriage, one that had been arranged by his father when he’d been just a year or two old. Since his wife’s death, he’d been almost afraid to consider marrying again. But perhaps it was time to start thinking of what he wanted in a wife he chose himself.

At the first floor, the landlord escorted them to a door, opened it and stood aside. Kendal stepped inside with Lady Thalia, expecting to see two or possibly three ladies. Instead he found six ladies and three gentleman, all of whom he knew from Town, plus four children. With the exception of the Duchess of Hull and her companion, all of the other people were related to Lady Thalia in one form or another, the Duchess of Melbrough being her aunt.

“Kendal.” The Duke of Bolton, a brother-in-law, was holding a tiny child who could not be more than two months old. “Find a seat. The ale is excellent.”

The Marquis of Hawksworth, Lady Thalia’s eldest brother, held the hand of a small child trying to walk, and the Marquis of Markville, another brother-in-law, took another small baby from his wife.

Lady Thalia slid him a look. “I was going to introduce you, but you seem to know everyone.”

“Yes. I have known them all for some time.” Still, despite knowing the gentlemen and their wives, he had not expected to see them here.

“Yesterday was the first time I was able to meet Markville.” Thalia’s perfect pink lips formed a line. “My father allows only Bolton and my sister Laia to visit. Bolton is a very nice man and devoted to my sister. I am glad they were able to marry.”

A story hid behind that remark, Kendal was sure. “I have heard that your father and Hawksworth do not get on.”

“I am not sure there are many people my father likes or who like him.” They were the first harsh words he’d heard from her, but she was right. It must be difficult to have a father like Somerset.

A middle-aged lady with the same silvery tresses as Lady Thalia and her sisters rose and came toward him. “Kendal, I am Catherine Somerset. I am pleased you could join us.” She looked at her daughter. “Thalia, you should make him known to your aunt and sisters.”

“I think he knows Laia and Euphrosyne,” Thalia said.

She cast him a questioning look, and he nodded.

“Do you know my aunt Melbrough as well?”

“Yes.” He smiled. “I have had that pleasure.”

“In that case,” Thalia’s mother said, “come join us for tea.”

What they considered tea looked more like a full meal. Platters filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, and bread were spread out on the table. His stomach growled, and next to him, Lady Thalia chuckled. “It is not nice to make fun of hungry gentlemen.” She glanced at Hawksworth, then back to Kendal. “But we make fun of my brother for his appetite all the time.”

He had heard about her brother’s ravenous hunger. In fact, many of the man’s close friends teased him about it. And he wanted her to be herself with him. In this family, being a duke was not a distinction that made others stand on ceremony. “You might have a point.”