Chapter 7
Seven
“Do you mean it?” Georgia asked, her eyes wide as she clung to the bolt of green silk. “I can really have a new dress made of this?”
Rowen was standing in the front room of Mrs. Green’s store with Georgia and Alistair. Mrs. Green had agreed to close the store for them, to give the children a chance to look through without being overwhelmed by the crowds.
I suppose there are some advantages to marrying a duke.
Rowen grimaced. She still rankled at Tobias simply announcing when they would wed.
He may think he has won, but I will show him.
She remembered the way he had held his godson on his shoulders—it made no sense. How could a man so cold and infuriating be so gentle with a child?
“Of course, you can. And we will have some of your older dresses tailored and altered—they will look better than new.” Rowen gave Georgia’s hand a little squeeze.
“And I can have new shoes?” Georgia looked from Rowen to the dressmaker.
Mrs. Green beamed at her. “You will need new shoes to go with your new clothes, Lady Georgia. And of course, you will need a hat.”
“Can I have a big hat?” Georgia pointed to a feathered monstrosity that was resting on a nearby mannequin. “Like that one.”
“You can have whatever you like, though I suspect that hat may be a little heavy for you.”
“Shall we try it on?”
Mrs. Green laughed and put the hat on Georgia’s head. It slid down so far that it covered her nose.
Georgia giggled and tipped the hat up so that her grey eyes peered out from beneath it. “I think I need a smaller big hat.”
“That may be best,” Mrs. Green agreed, before turning to Alistair, who was looking at the colorful fabrics around them. “And what about you, young master?”
“I need something to wear to the wedding. I am going to be a groomsman, you know.” Alistair puffed out his chest and jutted his chin.
“Are you? Well, we will need to make sure you are wearing the nicest clothes possible then.” Mrs. Green’s wrinkled face became even more so as her smile widened.
“And I can have my own set of tails? And a new frock coat for riding? And it can be any color I want?” Alistair turned to Rowen, who nodded.
Her heart swelled as she reveled in the excitement of her children. They had never gone shopping like this, not for so many clothes. More often than not, they had visited Mrs. Green for alterations, and even those visits had been sparse.
Rowen inhaled deeply. She may not have been able to win the argument about the wedding date, but at least she had secured this small victory.
And the advantage of it being so soon is that I need not invite my parents.
That was a comforting thought.
And I will make him feel every bit of this.
She thought of how the Duke’s wolfish grin had made his green eyes sparkle with mischief and something darker that she could not quite name.
He was so determined to remain in control. Well, he would learn that he was not in the army anymore and that she had no wish to be ordered around.
Mrs. Green’s voice drew her out of her thoughts. “You will need a waistcoat to match, young master, and trousers. And a hat. A gentleman should never be without his hat.”
“In any fabric?” Alistair eyed a nearby bolt of deep purple silk.
Mrs. Green followed his gaze. “Most fabrics. You will want a heavier one for a coat. Though I could make you a shirt from this one, and it would be very dashing.”
“Yes, please!” Alistair clapped his hands together.
Georgia was practically vibrating with excitement. “And what about me? Can I have a riding outfit like Alistair? For George days? With trousers and a frock coat and a waistcoat? And maybe a hat?”
Rowen saw the modiste freeze as Georgia turned to face her. The hope and excitement on her daughter’s face banished any residual anger she felt towards the Duke.
This day was about her children, about her finally being able to give them all the finery and excitement she had been unable to give them for years.
“Of course, you can. I am sure Mrs. Green would be only too happy to make some for you.” Rowen beamed at her daughter.
“How about you and Alistair go and pick out some other fabrics for the coats? And the waistcoats as well. I will hang onto the silk, and then we can get you measured for your new outfits.”
“All right!” Georgia skipped off excitedly, with Alistair following more slowly behind her, his eyes wide as he ran his hand along the luxurious fabrics.
“Are you sure this is a good idea, My Lady? I do not mean to speak out of turn, but… a young lady in trousers—what will the Duke say?”
“If he knows what is good for him, he will say nothing. And if he decides to say something, then he will get the sharp end of my tongue. My daughter wants to be like her brother. I see no harm in it.”
“Of course, My Lady. And have you had any other thoughts about your wedding dress?”
“I think this blue silk will be perfect. A gown in the French style will probably be best. The embroidery will have to be understated. After all, we only have two days.”
“Two days!” Mrs. Green clutched a hand to her chest, her face paling so much that Rowe was worried the woman might faint.
“Yes, we are to be married this Saturday.” Rowen took a step towards the modiste, preparing to catch her if the woman’s legs gave out.
“You know I would do anything for you, dear, but for such a quick turnaround… it will not be cheap.” Mrs. Green wrung her hands, shifting her weight from foot to foot.
Rowen smiled at her. “Oh, money will not be a concern, Mrs. Green. My dear fiancé said that I must look the part of a duchess, and I am sure he will be happy to pay any price you feel is fair for your work.”
Mrs. Green’s eyes widened. “If you are sure it will not cause an issue.”
“Quite sure, Mrs. Green. Quite sure. My fiancé was quite clear on the matter.” The memory of the Duke’s gaze sent a tingle across Rowen’s skin, and she pushed it away. “And I will need a bridal wardrobe as well, and the children… well, as you can see, they need many clothes as well.”
“And all of this needs to be done by Saturday?” Mrs. Green gasped.
Rowen shook her head. “Only the bits for the wedding. The rest can wait a little.”
“Good. I only have so many hours in a day, dearie, and my apprentices can only work so fast.”
“I have faith in you, Mrs. Green.”
“All right, I think I know the fabric I want.” Alistair beamed as he and Georgia carried a large bolt of forest green wool between them. “This is what we want our riding clothes to be made of.”
“And you will both look very dashing in it.” Mrs. Green gestured to the fitting room. “Now, we should get the two of you measured. You are free to join us, My Lady. Or you may stay in the shop and see if anything catches your eye.”
Rowen chewed on her lip as her eyes drifted across the store to a dress in the window. “I think I will do that, unless you two need me?”
“We will be all right. We can look after each other.” Alistair grinned.
She gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. “In that case, I will be with you in a moment.”
Rowen watched as her children trailed after Mrs. Green, smiling as she listened to Georgia and Alistair animatedly chat about how nice the fabric was.
“How long has it been since they had something new? Something just for them?” Rowen let out a long breath. “I suppose that is something I can enjoy.”
It had been a long time since she could walk into a shop without worrying about the price. Her fingers drifted across the fabrics, reveling in the colors and textures around her. Then, her eyes fell on a beautiful lavender dress.
It was made of silk, cut in the continental style, with embroidery all across it that must have taken days, if not weeks, of careful work. It was both subtle and eye-catching.
She found herself reaching for it, her fingers outstretched as she traced the embroidery and beadwork.
“That is a remarkable dress, My Lady,” a voice said from behind her. “One of our finest, if I do say so myself.”
Rowen started and found herself looking at one of Mrs. Green’s apprentices. “It is stunning.”
“Thank you. It is one of our most popular designs, and the dress itself pulls many interested young women from the street. The original was made for a foreign princess.” The apprentice gave her a warm smile.
“And, if I may be so bold, I believe that the dress would suit you perfectly. You have the figure for it.”
A dress designed for a princess?
Rowen’s eyes drifted back towards the dress, imagining what it would look like on her. But even as she pictured the elegant fabric draped over her and altered the embroidery and cut slightly in her mind, another part of her reared its head.
That part ran through the costs of the fabric, the workmanship. That part knew just how expensive such a dress was.
She swallowed and curled her hand towards her body.
“Would you like to keep the same fabric or choose another? We have just had some fine silks delivered this morning. I would be more than happy to fetch them for you.” The apprentice gestured towards the backroom.
Rowen opened her mouth, eyes flitting between the dress and the backroom. “That will not be necessary, thank you.”
She was not entirely sure why she was turning down the offer, only that the thought of the dress made her chest tighten such that she thought she might not be able to breathe.
“I think more practical dresses would be best for my bridal wardrobe. I am not sure that I will be entertaining much.”
“Of course, My Lady.” The apprentice’s smile faded ever so slightly. “You know what you will need.”
“I did see some rather lovely sky-blue muslin over there. I think that would do rather nicely for my wedding dress. Though I have not decided on the style just yet.” Rowen gestured towards the back of the shop.
“And I should probably check on my children as well. Mrs. Green is taking their measurements.”
As if on cue, Georgia’s voice rang out across the store. “Mama! Are you coming?”