Strange Game

Chapter 4

Inadvertently, Hughes did meet Lady Alistair the next day when Cecil had made him follow her for a shopping spree, to buy gift for her husband and child. Lady Alistair was browsing the clothes, her driver standing next to her holding on several bags and have the face of the most patient man of all.

Hughes heard the driver comment to Lady Alistair, "But we don't need new cloth, my lady."

"Oh hush Mike; you all need new clothing for the winter. And who knows that I'll take into my head to visit Russia and we've no cloth to match their freezing day."

"Why Russia?" Lady Alistair just grin and shrug, taking her sweet time choosing the cloths while her driver mumble something under his breath. Chuckling to himself, Hughes keeps watching the lady while Cecil looks at him in wonder.

"Does this will look good on Lizzy? I just can't decide which one is better." Hughes kept ignoring her and then Cecil look to where he is looking. Recognizing Lady Alistair who had greet her so sweetly last night, Cecil look back at Hughes and then grin, while Hughes finally took notice of Cecil silent and look at her and saw the grin on his sister face.

"Are you done here?" Cecil brow shot up and she cross her arms.

"Why brother dear, are you in hurry?" Shooting her an annoyed look, Hughes slap the riding glove to his thigh and grumble.

"I want to get back to my letters and away from people. Are you done?" Cecil shook her head and walk to Lady Alistair, greeting the young lady happily. Lady Alistair turns and smiles at Cecil. Seconds later Cecil pointed at him and beckons him to join their circle. Lady Alistair murmurs a polite greeting and a quick nod of her head. Hughes turn to her driver and look at the load the man is carrying.

"You and I have the same fate my man." Mike snorted but didn't say another word, focusing on balancing the boxes and bags. Lady Alistair then turns to Mike.

"Mike, you go first to the carriage and sent back the parcel. I still got some stuff to look at." Mike frown.

"And who will escort you my lady? It seems Tia had gone off to the bakery and she will be there for awhile."

"I'll look after them, don't worry. We might as well send Lady Alistair home." Mike stare at Hughes and then deciding that the earl can be trusted, Mike nod and went away, cursing when he stub his toes to the table. "Well then ladies, have you finish here?" Lady Alistair nods while Cecil rolls her eyes.

"Don't be persuaded by him, Lady Alistair. He had been complaining like a schoolboy from the start." Hughes grumble and stare at his sister face, trying to decide what she is doing...whatever she is doing right now.

"You said you were searching for gift, Lady Lockhart?" Hughes brow shot up at his sister title, forgetting that Cecil is married to William Lockhart.

"Ah yes, for my lovely daughter and husband. They are at the country house, having recovered from pox. How I miss my daughter and husband." Lady Alistair smile and turn towards the Madame who lingers close to them, give her order for the cloths to be sent home and then turn back at Cecil.

"She must be a very sweet child, your daughter." Cecil smile in motherly manner and ask Lady Alistair help to find the perfect gift.

"Lizzy is the most adorable child. She likes to follow her father and her uncle’s. Hughes likes to spoil her rotten." Hughes just smirk, busy watching Lady Alistair reaction but the lady in question just keeps smiling. They walk out to the street, going in and out of store; Cecil buying more toys and a chess set for William and then they went into a jewelry shop, while Hughes is thinking why they didn't think to bring a footman to carry all the stuff. Sighing, he left the ladies, dump his load in the carriage and came back to find Cecil admiring a set of diamonds while Lady Alistair just look around.

"CC, if you want that, you have to get William buy it for you." Cecil turns to him with a grin.

"Oh, do you think so? I thought that it will suit my new dress, the one that I buy just for Willy." Hughes roll his eyes and held himself from saying that Cecil has a set of jewelry each for her dresses and he is forbidding himself from telling Cecil that she has too many dresses to count. Cecil then turns to Lady Alistair and hooks her arms to the lady. Somehow, in the moment he had gone to send the parcel off to the carriage, the two ladies have become the best of friend; Cecil the crazy one and Lady Alistair the sensible one. "Angie, you have to come to Lizzy's birthday party. That child will love to make friend with you." Lady Alistair brow crease in worries.

"I don't know Cecil; I might be away from London in any second." Seeing Cecil crestfallen look, Hughes intervene quickly, before he had to console his sister on the way back at home.

"Do attend Lady Alistair, the more the merrier." Lady Alistair eyed him with her sparkling green eyes and then presses her soft pink lip. He thought he want to kiss her.

"Oh alright. I'll cancel all appointment that day or anything the day before and after the party. But I wouldn't be intruding am I?" Cecil snorted and waves her hand as if dismissing Lady Alistair concern aside like it is nothing.

"Lizzy is the epitome of noise and havoc. She'll like every moment of it, especially if you spoil her, which is unnecessary since her uncle here love to do that." Cecil nudge Hughes by his shoulder and Hughes could not stop himself from rolling his eyes.

"Willy is too strict on her. She will need a champion, no?" Lady Alistair smile at him.

"Very well, you convinced me. What time do I need to come?" With that as another opening to a long talk, Cecil maneuver them into the carriage as Lady Alistair confirm that she has no more business to be done at town. Hughes hand Cecil in first and then offered his assistance to Lady Alistair who seems reluctant to accept the help.