Lady Salmira!!!, my lady what on earth happened?" his uncle said as they approach.
The girl in question slowly turns around. She was petite, about 5'4, slim arms, black hair, and deep brown cat eyes. An undeniably pretty face, his eyes could not resist traveling towards her small frame that he almost miss the parasol woman standing beside her. Now this other woman looks older, a classic maria. the description people of this country uses for the golden blond girls with a mild and comely face.
He quickly looks at his uncle, Unfortunately this uncle of his have always had a soft spot for such beauties. The reason being, they remind his uncle of his late wife. His Aunt died of cholera during the great state war 5 years ago. Sure enough, her uncle was dumbstruck, starring openly at the parasol woman with sincere appreciation.
He signed, this is turning out to be more trouble than it's worth.
"Why Lord John, how nice to see you in such a splendid day." The younger one greeted, as if all is right in the world, and she is not standing there soaked to the bone. She probably wouldn't smile quite so broadly if she knew her probably once artfully styled hair were plastered to her face, her bonnet was clearly missing, and there is a hanging seaweed clinging on her gown.
"Pardon me my lady but i couldn't help but notice you were uhmmm..., wandering about, do you require any assistance?" his uncle ask carefully. Not quite sure how to handle what he might be considering a breech in propriety.
"Oh thank you, we needed to get my cousin warm and dry but she won't listen to me." The older lady said, immediately grateful for the assistance.
"I told you cousin I am perfectly fine" The younger lady argued, before she face his uncle once more. "...my cousin and I just needed to buy some stuff. thank you for the concern Lord John but we are perfectly fine."
"B-but my lady, you do not seem to be fine." His uncle insisted, clearly getting distressed by the lady's refusal.
"Oh we are definitely not okay, as you can see my cousin is drenched, she has fallen into the harbor and we need-" The older lady was explaining but once again, the younger one glared at her.
"Good heavens you have fallen in the water?" Uncle John was horrified.
"You really do not need to be concern so much lord John. I assure you i am really quite *achoo!!.., *achooo!!!.., I am quite alright, you may leave us at our own devices, we shall be fine." And she turned her back on them, probably suppressing another sneeze. She then have the gall to continue walking about, leaving wet trails in her wake and curious glances approach her.
This is ridiculous. At this point Vincent could not help but join in. He followed her and blocked her path directly.
It was then that her eyes got directed at him. They were dark chocolate brown. It was the first time he got a clear view of her lovely face, especially since she was now blatantly looking at him.
A look not quite appropriate for an unmarried lady. A look he often would get on more experienced older women. Looks like the lady was not very innocent at all, as expected from the ladies of the ton.
"Pardon my intrusion my lady, but you are shivering, your lips are blue, and its evident you are freezing. My uncle have a carriage and we can take you and your companion wherever you need to go."
"And who might you be?" She ask curiously.
"Vincent Henry William St. Louis. at your service." he bowed slightly.
"Well Mr. St. Louis-"
"It's actually 'Your Grace." He is not one to throw his title around but this situation requires expediency, he really wanted to finish this as soon as he can.
"Oh..." The lady was clearly taken aback then realization hits. "Oh!, Oh my, ...Your Grace" She said after hastily doing a clumsy courtesy. He nod acknowledging her actions but this does not seem to put her at ease.
"I apologize, I saw the uniform and I assumed.., I mean, not that there is anything wrong with being in his majesty's service, I just..., how much medals could one pin in one's clothing? not that there is anything wrong with your chest, it's incredibly wide. but..." She suddenly stop herself inhaled as if trying to gather her obviously disorganized thoughts before she continued. "..what I was trying to say is that titled gentlemen usually do not serve the navy."
"I am an exception. So, shall we?" He said impatient to see this through.
"Uhmm, I really do apologize. however, I would have to turn down your gallantry, there is something we really have to do and we are wasting precious time here."
"Pardon?" By now he didn't understand. He did everything right. He introduced himself, let her know of his title and then his wish. how dare she still refuse?
"We really must be going." She said. Then she turned back and left him.
What the blasted thing is so important that she would have decline an offer from a duke? Once again he turned and then blocked her path. a feat easily accomplish with a body as broad as his.
"What is it that you require?"
She step back from him, clearly not expecting to have her path blocked once more. "Oh.... Well...., I need to buy some tea."
"Tea?"
"Yes."
"Your buying tea, here?" He ask again just to make sure he has indeed heard correctly.
"Yes."
He isn't even gonna ask anymore, who knows what goes on in this girl mind.
"Alright I'll buy it for you, what kind of tea do you need?"
"That's a very nice thing to offer but-"
"I'm guessing its the special brew one from the tea island."
"Well, yes-"
"Will a bag suffice? or do you need a whole sack?"
"You don't understand i need a-"
"How much?"
At this point the lady audibly signed. He is aware he has been rudely cutting her off but just could not stop, this thing has lasted way more than it should have.
The next time she talk, she started saying her piece slowly. As if she was trying to communicate with a child. As if HE is the problem. "Duke, I really do appreciate your offer, but i will have to decline."
At which point he had to put his feet down as well.
"Then I'm afraid i cannot let you pass, you are clearly putting yourself at risk and as a gentleman i will not have it, it's either you take my offer or you will not be moving from this spot my lady."
"Alright, if you insist, then i require t least 100 tons just enough to fit 5 wagons at least."
"A hundred tons?" Nothing usually caught him off guard but that amount is just ridiculous.
"Yes."
"That's a lot of tea."
"Yes."
"You must really love tea."
"I do, i drink it everyday." She answered earnestly.
At this point Vincent is lost for words. why in gods name would someone require that many. She is clearly a noble, it would have made sense if she is merchant of some sort, but everyone knew the gentry does not deal in trade for it is considered both vulgar and scandalous.
Is she trying to get back at him? Yeah, that must be it. What is she really up to?
"Alright I shall buy your tea for you."