Page 52 of Taken By the Earl
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.”
