Epilogue 2
DIANA
Being the center of attention was an odd thing. Yes, Clifton lavished me with a ridiculous amount of it, but that was to be expected. When I’d called on Victoria that morning for my weekly tea with her and Caroline, I hadn’t thought I’d be peppered with so many questions from them.
When I complained, Caroline laughed. “It’s only been half an hour. Try being named the Diamond and having a room filled with suitors hoping to marry you.”
I scrunched my nose, hating the idea, and the others laughed.
“It’s about time you’re at the center of attention,” Victoria said, popping the last of the treats into her mouth. Then she turned to Caroline with a conspiratorial smirk.
“What are the two of you planning? And please tell me it doesn’t involve me.”
Victoria stood. “We’ve decided that we’re taking you shopping.”
I was torn between feeling guilty and excited. “Clifton has already bought me so much.”
“Nonsense,” Victoria said. “You can never have too much. Besides, you’ve never been shopping with the two of us.”
Caroline stood and tugged me to my feet. “Victoria told me a secret about Madame Argent.”
That got my attention. Madame Argent was the most sought-after modiste.
When I’d arrived in London for my season, my aunt hadn’t accorded me the privilege of going to her shop.
Instead, she’d steered me to lesser-known modistes and had insisted on purchasing the most horrid of dresses.
Clifton had gone out of his way to make up for anything I’d lacked.
“I’ve already been several times since my marriage. I feel as though I’m taking advantage of my husband’s generosity.”
Caroline shook her head. “I’m sure the money from your inheritance more than makes up for any expense he might have incurred.”
Victoria nodded. “It’s the least he can do under the circumstances.”
And so I found myself bundled into the carriage with my friends and heading to Bond Street. Because of the scandal surrounding the king’s attempt to divorce his wife, Parliament was still in session even though it was August.
Which meant that when we arrived on Bond Street, it was far from deserted. When we walked into the modiste shop, everyone turned to stare. I was used to Caroline receiving a lot of attention. And as the daughter of a duke, Victoria also gained no small amount of admiration.
But now, as one of the three women who’d married Legends, society was very interested in me as well.
When we appeared anywhere together, that attention was amplified.
When it had first happened after Clifton and I attended a play, I’d assumed everyone was watching my husband.
But soon I realized that wasn’t the case.
I now had notoriety of my own, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever become accustomed to it.
It started with whispers as the three of us browsed through the items in the store.
Caroline took us to look at the gloves first, then we wandered over to the hair accessories.
I had confessed how much Clifton enjoyed my hair.
And it seemed that Caroline wanted to do her part in making sure that I had a wide assortment of hair combs and hair accessories.
Clifton had purchased several hair clips with emeralds that he loved to see me tuck into my hair whenever I wore it up.
He took even greater delight in pulling them out before bed.
When I’d balked at the unnecessary expense—really, I did not need such expensive jewels in my hair—he’d shrugged and told me they reminded him of my eyes when I was in the sunlight, when they were at their greenest.
“What do you think of this one?” Caroline said. It was a lovely mother-of-pearl hair clip. But really, I already had so many it was almost embarrassing.
“Oh, there she is,” Victoria said.
I turned to see Madame Argent emerging from the back room, where I knew there were dressing rooms set up for her clientele. Caroline and Victoria shared that look again.
Madame Argent approached and dipped into a small curtsy. “It is an honor to have the three of you gracing my humble shop today. Is there anything in particular you are looking for?”
Victoria leaned in close. “I told Caroline about your extra wares, and she is most eager to view them. We thought that Diana would also be interested.”
A mysterious smile curled at the corners of the modiste’s lips. “Naturellement. You are married to Legends, after all. We must do what we can to ensure you keep their interest.”
I wanted to protest, but Caroline leaned close and whispered in my ear. “Give it a moment. I hear it will be worthwhile.”
“Follow me into the back room,” Madame Argent said. “I should have something you can take home today.”
I had to admit that I was very curious as we followed her. I couldn’t imagine why we’d need to have this conversation in the privacy of the back room.
When we passed through the curtain, she turned to one of her seamstresses. “Please see to the other clients out front. I will be a few minutes as I show these women our special collection.”
The seamstress smiled. “Of course, Madame. Right away, Madame.”
She hurried into the front room. Someone tried to pass her and follow us, but she ushered the woman back out.
Madame Argent shrugged. “They cannot help themselves. They are very curious about the three women who have captured Legends. I must say, I didn’t think it was possible. But from what I’ve heard, they are three love matches. Incroyable.”
She pulled a key from her pocket and unlocked a door. “Follow me, please.”
We entered into what appeared to be another store. This one, however, didn’t have any clients.
Madame Argent locked the door behind us.
“I don’t understand,” I said, turning to her. “I didn’t know you had another store.”
Madame smiled that secret smile. “You would not. This is a special store.” She walked over to a counter and pulled out a book of dress designs.
I’d spent quite a bit of time going through similar volumes during my first visit here. The secretive nature of this second store made no sense to me.
When she opened the book and turned to the design on the first page, my mouth dropped open.
Victoria grinned. “These are the special designs I was telling Caroline about.”
When Caroline started flipping through the book, I could see page after page of undergarments, many of which were scandalously cut.
I was powerless to look away from the drawings. I couldn’t imagine wearing any of them and said as much.
Madame smiled. “I am sure your husband has seen you in far less, no?”
I blushed. There was no denying that.
“This one would look wonderful on you,” Caroline said.
My nose scrunched as I pictured the ridiculous sight I’d make. “I would fall out of that. My bosom is far too large.”
Caroline shrugged. “I think I would like to have it for myself then. In black silk, perhaps?”
Madame pulled out a bolt of dark fabric. “I suggest black lace.”
The fabric was ornate with delicate black swirls covering the surface. When she unrolled a small section of it, my mouth dropped open. It was almost transparent.
“Clifton would lose his mind if I wore any of those designs, but together with that lace…” I was already picturing his reaction, and I had to admit, I found the idea of surprising him appealing.
“That is the point,” Madame said. “Now, I must get back to the other shop. I will return in ten minutes. Take your time in here. We can discuss which fabrics would most complement the designs you’ve chosen.”
I watched the small woman depart from the store. I could certainly understand why she kept this section of the store locked behind her. When I looked around, there weren’t even any windows out into the street.
How many people knew she sold these scandalous garments?
“You are a genius,” Caroline said. “I can’t believe I didn’t know this part of Madame Argent’s establishment existed.”
It was impossible to imagine the women in the main part of the store browsing through these designs. “I’m sure most of the women out there would think that we are headed straight to perdition if they knew we were going to have Madame create such scandalous undergarments.”
Victoria laughed. “But we’ll have fun every step of the way.”
I couldn’t deny that. “Well, apparently I’ve been completely corrupted. Now let me look at those designs.”
I hope you enjoyed reading Clifton and Diana’s story!