“Can I be of service in some way?” Mr. Seymour nipped out from behind the counter.

“My friend Mary said that you had lace cuffs here, beautiful ones,” Elise said. “Are they in a drawer, perhaps?”

“I regret they are not.” Mr. Seymour beamed while he gave the bad news. “They were all purchased. The last sold three days ago. There was a line waiting to buy them. Some very fine ladies availed themselves of my stock in order to obtain them, so even some of my usual patrons were disappointed.”

Elise pouted all the more. “I wish we had come down from town last week.”

“I am sure there are equally nice lace cuffs in other shops,” Minerva said.

“Only one other,” Mr. Seymour said, making a face. “You will pay far higher there, I’m afraid. Same cuffs, same lace, all from the Loire Valley and imported. Only the price is different.” He gave Minerva a meaningful look. “Very different.”

“We can’t buy what is not available to buy,” Minerva said to Elise. “We will find something just as good in London.”

“But I had so wanted to get the cuffs for myself, and cuffs and a collar for Aunt Charlotte.” Elise looked ready to cry. Minerva saw that with alarm, remembering the wails in the garden.

“Well, not quite just as good,” Mr. Seymour said. “As I said, these are from France. Exquisitely made. And—” He leaned closer to share a confidence. “I had one set that even a certain other shop did not have. A new set that proved very popular.”

“You will have her in tears soon,” Minerva scolded. “My own disappointment I can accept, but you know how young women can be.”

“Your own disappointment? Did you intend to purchase some as well? We are talking about three sets?”

Minerva shrugged. “If the new ones are as good as you say, I think it would be four or five. Unfortunately, you do not have them and we leave for town tomorrow.”

Mr. Seymour chewed his lower lip. “The man who brings them to me is expected this afternoon. I should have more tomorrow if you can—”

As if distracted, Minerva fingered some gloves on a table next to where they stood. “We leave soon after breakfast, I’m afraid.”

More chewing. “Could you—if you came by this evening, say at six o’clock, I think I would have what you want by then.”

Elise brightened. “Oh, could we?” she begged Minerva. “We would be back well before dinner, and surely Lady Talbot would give us use of the carriage again.”

Minerva chewed her own lower lip. “Six o’clock, you say?”

“I am confident I will have all that you want then.”

“I suppose so. I hope this lace is as wonderful as you say, since this will be a lot of trouble.”

“You will think it some of the best lace you have seen.”