Page 94 of The Duke's Sinful Deal
“And each day, it improves,” Jane said, undeterred. “A dove. Entirely in ivory and pale silver. Soft feathers at the shoulders, but nothing excessive. I refuse to resemble a cushion.”
Arabella laughed softly. “I think you will be quite striking.”
“I intend to be,” Jane said. “Though I suspect I shall be overshadowed entirely by Cissie, who has chosen something far more charming.”
Cissie gave a small, almost reluctant smile. “A rabbit,” she admitted. “Though I had hoped to keep it quiet.”
“A rabbit?” Arabella repeated, her interest immediately caught. “How delightful.”
“It is not meant to be ridiculous,” Cissie added quickly. “There will be structure to it. Soft grey, perhaps, with a fitted bodice. And ears that are not—” she hesitated, searching for the word, “…exaggerated.”
Jane waved a dismissive hand. “We shall see whether you maintain that restraint once you are before a mirror.”
Their laughter carried them the rest of the way into town, light and easy, until the carriage came to a halt before the modiste’s shop.
Inside, the familiar scent of fabric and starch greeted them at once, the quiet industry of seamstresses moving through the room with practiced ease. Bolts of silk and gauze lined the walls, and the modiste herself emerged with a pleased expression at the sight of them.
“Ladies,” she said, inclining her head. “You return with purpose, I hope.”
“With great purpose,” Jane replied, already moving toward a display of trims.
Arabella allowed herself to be guided toward the central table, where she carefully set down the bandbox and opened it, revealing the dark green gown within. The silk caught the lighteven in the subdued interior, rich and deep, the color of shaded leaves.
The modiste lifted the gown with careful hands, letting the silk fall open across the table as she studied it from several angles, her expression thoughtful.
The modiste leaned in slightly, her approval evident. “Exquisite.”
“It was a gift,” Arabella said, and she felt an unbidden heat fill her cheeks.
“This shade will serve you exceedingly well, Your Grace. The Duke has chosen very well,” she said at last. “Particularly for an evening affair. There has been a great deal of interest in woodland themes of late. It is quite the fashion, I am told.”
Jane smiled. “Of course, Lady Lampton is perfectly aligned with the moment.”
“Indeed,” the modiste replied. “Several ladies have already commissioned pieces for the same event. It promises to be… well attended.”
There was the slightest pause before she continued, her tone smoothing into practiced neutrality.
“And much anticipated.”
Arabella met her gaze, catching the faintest shift beneath the politeness. Not curiosity, exactly. Not even judgment. But awareness.
“I should like something that does not compete,” Arabella said evenly. “It need not be elaborate.”
“Of course,” the modiste said at once. “Elegance rarely requires excess.”
She gathered the gown carefully over her arm. “If you will permit me a few moments, Your Grace, I have several notions I should like to consider properly.”
Arabella inclined her head. “Take what time you need.”
As the modiste disappeared into the back room with the gown, Arabella’s attention had already begun to drift as Jane and Cissie moved nearer, their conversation shifting in tone without her quite realizing when.
“I nearly forgot,” Jane said, lowering her voice just enough to signal that what followed was not meant for the room at large. “I heard something yesterday that you will wish to know.”
Arabella looked up at once.
“Your half-sister,” Jane continued, with a glance between them, “was at the tea room last week. And she was not… discreet.”
A quiet stillness settled around the table.
