The Restless Viscountess

Chapter 20

"Experience is merely the name men gave to their mistakes." Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

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Chapter Twenty

Simon had become quite entranced by the little girl who felt the need to inform him of absolutely everything that she had ever seen or experienced. He liked listening to her. He liked that she trusted him, or as much as a five year old could trust a person.

It took a little over a week to reach London, as Simon had to make more stops than usual so that Hannah could rest. Simon was amazed at how quickly he was adjusting to being a parent. Already, her safety and care were his foremost thoughts.

She ate hungrily whenever he presented her with food, and he hoped that Hannah would soon become a healthier weight. Hannah also asked many questions about her little brother, questions that Simon could not answer. In good time, they would meet.

London was such a lively city, so different from the country life he had become accustomed to in Derbyshire. The streets were filled with people going about their days. Shops selling all sorts of goods and services were open to the public, and Simon could see that they were filled with all sorts of fancy ladies and gentlemen.

Simon noticed Hannah's small head following a family down the street as they rode. She watched them until she could not crane her neck any further. The family were wealthy, to be sure, as they climbed into a fine carriage. The finely dressed mother went first, then the father helped the two young daughters in the carriage. The little girls were dressed in matching blue ensembles. Their pale hair was curled perfectly and their lacy bonnets looked of the finest quality.

Simon could have sworn that Hannah was envious as she self-consciously played with one of the patches on the skirt of her tatty dress. Simon did not know much about raising daughters, but he could certainly provide Hannah with a pretty dress if that was what she wanted.

Almost instantly, Simon spied a shop that could help him. Madame Bichoux's Dressmaking and Millinery. In the window were two examples of what the shop could provide. Two beautiful gowns hung on plain busts.

"Come, Hannah," encouraged Simon as he dismounted. He lifted her from the horse and placed her on the ground beside him before he took her hand. Simon did not know yet if Hannah had the tendency to wander, but he would not take the risk. Her hand would remain firmly in his. He would not risk her wandering into the path of a carriage while his back was turned.

Simon could have sworn that Hannah's wide brown eyes lit up at the sight of the gowns in the window of the shop. Simon opened the door of the shop and he heard a little bell jingle. The interior of the shop was very feminine, as one would expect. Dozens of bolts of fabrics lined the far wall of the store while large tables with patterns and sewing equipment took up the floor space. A woman sat behind a counter to the left of the store playing with a bonnet and a sewing needle while another woman, an older, well-dressed, woman appeared from the stairs that led up to the upper level of the shop, presumably the living quarters.

Madame Bichoux, Simon presumed, opened her arms in a welcoming fashion. When she met them, her face dropped, though only subtly. She first saw Simon's facial scar, the feature most people noticed first. Then she looked over Hannah's dishevelled appearance and said something that resembled, "Tut tut."

"Welcome to Madame Bichoux's Dressmaking and Millinery," she said politely, still smiling. "I am the aforementioned Madame Bichoux. What can I help you with today?"

"Good afternoon, Madame Bichoux," greeted Simon, just as politely. "This is my daughter, Hannah." It was the first time he had introduced Hannah as such, though it felt right. "And I am Colonel Simon Spencer."