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“Why are you so distressed?” he probed gently.

“The modiste…” she said. “Madame Dubois…she refused me. She might as well have told me I’m not good enough to order dresses at her establishment. I do not belong here and shouldn’t be here. And I cannot go to a soirée without a dress.”

As the words left her lips, a sensation of relief spread through her body. Richard’s eyes narrowed as he glared at the small boutique, his fists clenched tightly.

“She did not dare…” he growled. “Right. Come with me. We’ll see about that.”

He gestured with his hand for her to walk before him and straightened his coat.

“Richard, please,” Jane stammered, but he didn’t put his arm down, looking at her with a firm gentleness that did not permit argument, and Jane nodded.

Ruby watched them, her brows furrowed in worry that was quickly replaced with a spark of hope as she recognized the determined set of Lord Richard’s jaw. Jane walked and, without a word, Richard led them along the busy sidewalk, skillfully maneuvering through the bustling crowd. His commanding presence and the imposing cut of his suit cleared a path before them, as if Bond Street itself bowed to his will.

He held open the door to Madame Dubois’s shop and waited for Jane and Ruby to enter before following them. All eyes turned to Richard as he walked up to Madame Dubois.

“Madame,” he began in a voice that echoed through the room, drawing everyone’s gazes. “It has come to my attention that you refused service to Miss Grant. Is this correct?”

Madame Dubois blanched and looked around the room as though for help, her eyes falling on Lady Fairchild, who watched the scene unfold with a calculating gaze.

“But, my lord,” Madame Dubois stammered, “we did not know Miss Grant was in your…that is, we did not have the proper materials for what she desired.”

Richard’s gaze was unyielding. “I believe it is not up to you to decide what is appropriate for Miss Grant. If she desires a dress from your establishment, you will provide it. If you need the necessary materials, you will procure them.”

Jane could only clutch Ruby’s hand as she watched Richard stand up for her, taking on an entire room of high society ladies.

The room fell into a stunned silence again. Madame Dubois gulped, her eyes darting between Lord Richard and Jane. Richard stood tall and firm, his gaze never wavering.

“Of course, my lord,” Madame Dubois managed, a forced smile on her face. “We would be honored to create a dress for Miss Grant.”

Richard gave a nod of approval before addressing Madame Dubois one final time. “I ought to mention that my grandmama, the Dowager Duchess of Grandhampton, having been your client for many years, recommended your establishment to my fiancée.”

Madame Dubois went even paler at this revelation, her eyes wide and lips pressed thin. Richard continued, a steely edge to his voice. “I’m afraid certain mistakes cannot be rectified. You offended the future sister-in-law of the twelfth Duke of Grandhampton. It is my duty to inform Grandmama about this unfortunate incident. Perhaps she should consider revising her choice of modiste.”

The implications of his words hung heavily in the air, and a murmur rippled through the room. This was no minor threat. The Dowager Duchess of Grandhampton was known for her influence and classic elegance, and losing her patronage would certainly tarnish the reputation of the establishment.

“Your fiancée, Lord Richard?” asked Lady Fairchild meekly. “But I had hoped to introduce you to one of my daughters…” She gestured at the two beautiful ladies by her side.

The three ladies looked at Jane with varying degrees of animosity, and Richard’s expression turned cold. “I’ll be pleased to meet your daughters, Lady Fairchild. As I hope they will be pleased to meet my betrothed, Miss Jane Grant.”

Something warm and wonderful exploded through Jane’s chest at the sight of Lady Fairchild opening and closing her mouth.

“No, no, my lord!” Madame Dubois stammered as she hurried through the room to stand by his side. “I do beg your pardon for any inconvenience caused to Miss Grant. It was never my intention to upset her. I assure you, it was a misunderstanding, nothing more.”

Turning to Jane, Madame Dubois forced a courteous smile. “Miss Grant, I hope you’ll allow us the opportunity to rectify our mistake.”

Jane blinked. Richard looked at her, his eyes warm and proud. It was her choice what she wanted to do. She could stay and have the best gown made tonight. But the thought of undressing under the watchful eyes of these women was too much to bear.

She took a deep breath and addressed Madame Dubois: “Thank you for your offer, but I must decline. I’m afraid to bring more vermin to your beautiful shop.”

In the deadly silence that fell over the room, a quiet snicker escaped Ruby’s lips.

Richard opened the door for Jane and gave a nod to Madame Dubois. “I think we’ve taken up quite enough of your valuable time, madame.”

With one last nod to the room, Richard led Jane and Ruby back out onto Bond Street. As the door clicked shut, Jane’s eyes welled with tears of relief, and she offered Richard a warm smile of appreciation. He had defended her in front of the modiste and the high society ladies without hesitation. The world of glittering jewels and witty social banter might have seemed to reject her, but Richard had stood by her side, confirming that she was indeed a part of it.

As they walked away from the boutique, Jane looked up at Richard. The firmness in his jaw remained, a sign of his lingering anger over her ill treatment. And yet, his eyes, when they met hers, were soft and full of concern. It filled Jane with a wonderful, bubbling warmth.

“You know what, love,” Richard said, “you should come to the soirée tonight. Don’t let that woman ruin all the fun for you. Besides…”