“I thought you would need some help,” she said.
“I do, Hannah. It is very thoughtful of you.”
“Did George tell you what happened?”
“Oliver is returning to town.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. “So soon?”
“He has been gone for two years.” Natalie picked up the other dress and began to fold it.
“That vile blackguard could never be gone for long enough, Natalie.”
“I know. I only hope he will not trouble us.” Natalie did not tell Hannah about the proposition because she did not want her to worry. “We should go to Mary’s shop now.”
They finished folding the dresses and placed them in a valise, before having one of the only two footmen in their employ carry them to the carriage. Then they rode to Mary’s shop.
As they did every time, the footman carried the bonnets and dresses in through the entrance on the side of the shop, while Natalie and Hannah walked in through the front door. This way, no one suspected what they were truly there for. Most times, Mary collected the things herself but she had been quite occupied as of late.
Mary peeked from behind the skirt of the lady whose measurements she was taking and clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, Lady Natalie! How wonderful to see you.”
The lady turned and looked Natalie over. Seemingly unimpressed, she sniffed and turned. Natalie was not unaccustomed to such treatment. Society did not pity her because she was a spinster. No, they disliked her outright, and they did not hesitate to show it.
Natalie and Hannah sat to wait for the lady to leave, and a roll of ivory satin caught her attention. It shimmered in the late-morning light, and Natalie thought it would make a splendid dress. Some minutes later, the door opened and Alexandra walked in with Lady Phoebe Dawson, Jasper’s aunt. Natalie’s stomach flipped at the sight of them, and she kept her gaze down.
First, because she had kissed Jasper the night before in his manor, where his aunt lived, and second, because she did not want trouble with Alexandra. Of course, Natalie had no say in the latter, for the moment Alexandra saw her, she tapped Lady Phoebe’s shoulder and pointed at her.
“My Lady, allow me to introduce adearfriend of mine, Lady Natalie Reeves.” The condescension in Alexandra’s tone was all but apparent.
Lady Phoebe smiled pleasantly as Natalie stood and curtsied. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Natalie.” Alexandra’s eyes narrowed. She likely had not expected Lady Phoebe to be this cordial.
“It is my pleasure, as well, My Lady.” Natalie turned to Hannah. “This is my cousin, Miss Hannah Reeves.”
Something sparked in Lady Phoebe’s blue eyes. “You look quite familiar, Miss Reeves. Have we met before?”
Hannah smiled demurely and lowered her eyes. “Yes, My Lady. I found your lost reticule at Lady Miller’s ball in spring.”
Natalie recalled the incident but she did not know it was Lady Phoebe because she had not attended that particular ball due to a cold.
“Oh, that is true!” Lady Phoebe laughed. “How wonderful to see you again, and know your name.”
Natalie looked at Alexandra to find her wearing a disappointed expression. As soon as the lady Mary was attending to left, she moved to have her measurements taken. Natalie suspected Alexandra did that to keep her displeasure hidden. After all, she pretended to have a good character in public.
“Lady Natalie, that is quite a fine dress you are wearing,” Lady Phoebe complimented, surprising her.
She had made the pale green muslin dress herself. Deciding to take the opportunity she had been presented, she said, “Thank you, My Lady. Miss Lynch made it for me.”
Lady Phoebe turned to Mary with a bright smile. “I would like to have every dress I order today in this style.”
Natalie and Mary exchanged a look. This meant that Natalie would sew the dresses, and her family would have more money. She was very fortunate to have met Lady Phoebe today, and she supposed she should silently thank Alexandra for the introduction.
“Yes, My Lady,” Mary replied. “Lady Natalie gave me the idea for the style. She was very specific about what she wanted.”
“Oh? We should have tea sometime, Lady Natalie,” Lady Phoebe said, surprising her yet again. “I would like to hear all about your remarkable taste. My former modiste disappointed me thoroughly, you see, and Miss Lynch was a very good recommendation. I did not know she had a muse.”
“Tea would be splendid, My Lady,” Natalie responded, hope swelling in her heart. Perhaps Lady Phoebe would do her good in many ways even though she was Jasper’s aunt.
They had a pleasant conversation, and when it was time to leave, Natalie decided that she would send for the ivory satin later. She did not know what she would do with it but it beckoned to her, making her dearly wish to have it in her possession.
