Page 73 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

“We shall stroll and stop when we see something of interest.”

She smiled and Damian realized that this was the most relaxed that he had seen her. The concern for her sister had faded from her brown eyes. There was no tension about her mouth and chin, and her shoulders were down as if she had finally released a weight of worry.

*

Liverpool was a bustling town of sailors and merchants in which Georgie took delight. Though, she was certain that her improved mood had much to do with the fact that she would catch up to Grace as soon as tomorrow evening or the following day, but certainly no longer than that, and then all would be well. That allowed her to enjoy her new surroundings as she walked along, her hand on Damian’s arm, as she peered into shop windows and enjoyed the aromas coming from inside pastry shops and confectioners. However, where she may have only looked into a merchant’s window to see their wares, she pulled Damian into a pastry shop and looked over the array of items being offered for purchase.

“Is there something that you would like?” he asked.

“Oh, no. I simply wanted to look,” she assured him. “I want to see what they sell so that I might tell my father so he could have the information to add it to what he experienced in France.”

The shop was quite busy, but she took her time to study the items on display from fruit tarts and pudding pies, cakes and biscuits. Oh, then she saw the macaroons and her mouth watered.

For a moment she weighed if she should spend her precious funds on something so frivolous, then decided that she would. She had been thrifty, for the most part, with her funds, which she would not have been able to do without Damian.

She then stepped to the counter and asked for half a dozen.

“Have you ever had a macaroon?” Damian asked as he drew to her side.

“Yes, they are a favorite,” she confessed. “They will also be something we can enjoy while we sail north in the event we find ourselves hungry.”

“Then might I suggest we also purchase hot cross buns as well since they are my favorite.”

She was familiar with buns, of course, since she was a baker, but not a hot crossed bun. “What is that?”

“They are a small, spiced bun, that are traditionally only eaten at the end of Lent, and I am rather surprised to find them here,” he answered.

“How are the spiced?” Georgie asked out of curiosity. Might they do well in her father’s bakery in Italy even though they were an English bun?

“I will let you tell me.” He grinned as he requested six.

Was he going to test her knowledge of spices? Well, Georgie had no doubt that she would be able to identify everything used to bake the bun because she experimented with flavors often as she helped her father plan for the future of Accetta Panetteria. And, if she liked these, it would be another baked item that she could provide.

When it came time to pay for their items, Damian again insisted on covering the cost of her macaroons.

“You really must stop paying for my things,” she insisted once they were back out on the walk.

She should not take advantage of his generosity. Already he had sacrificed so much to see that she found her sister. Especially since he had not wanted to come along in the first place.

“Your funds are limited, mine are not.”

He was correct though she had no idea how wealthy he truly was.

“Besides, this is an adventure and as I have never been to Liverpool, and neither have you, and our worries are fewer than they were this morning, I suggest we enjoy.”

Georgie had not seen this side of Damian previously. He had moments when he was pleasant, but he seemed rather…happy. Then again, he also knew that any obligation he took on as it related to her would truly soon come to an end and that he would be able to return to the life he enjoyed before he had encountered her.

“Very well,” she said after a moment. “I shall not argue with you again.”

Damian snorted. “I have no doubt that by the time we board the steamship to Greenock that you will have argued with me no less than five times.”

She gasped and drew back. She may pretend to be insulted, but she knew that he had good reason to make such a statement, therefore, she would make certain that no fractious words crossed her lips for the rest of the day

Besides, she was happy too. Her worries were relieved and as he said, this was an adventure.

“Come along.” He tugged on her arm and they wandered further down the street until they came to a bookshop. He turned and arched an eyebrow.

“I have a book,” she reminded him.