“Well, I have never heard the like. Perhaps you are wearing your hair differently,” Aunt Phyllis put in.
“I’m sure that is the reason,” Mrs. McCrae said, “ Victoria, kindly measure Lady Amelia again, and I will show you the relevant alterations to be made.”
“I do not recall your hair being any different now compared to then,” Reginald pointed out.
“You are a man, Reggie,” Francis scoffed, already dismissing the incident to admire her own hat in a mirror. “It is such a shame I did not ask for green,” she muttered to herself distractedly.
“Green is not this season’s color,” Mrs. McCrae said distractedly, guiding Charlotte to a chair and taking out her measuring tape.
“My niece, dear Amelia, is an expert in all matters pertaining current trends, Mrs. McCrae, and she maintains that it is,” Aunt Phyllis declared with no little pride.
“Oh? Then, I must be mistaken. You truly are a pioneer, Lady Amelia. I have hardly been asked for green at all, not for some years,” Mrs. McCrae conceded.
Reginald deliberately took a seat, regarding Charlotte with a wariness she did not enjoy.
I never saw my cousin as perceptive or particularly shrewd, but I think he is beginning to see through my subterfuge. Of course, it matters little to me, but it would be a disaster for Seth and my sister.
She forced a smile and shrugged.
“Such are the vagaries of fashion that a person can be right one moment and out of date the next. All it takes is enough people disagreeing.”
“Very true, I have been on the wrong end of a trend more than once,” Mrs. McCrae said, leaping to Charlotte’s rescue without even realizing it.
“While we are grateful for the chocolates, it is time for you to leave us to our business, Reginald,” Aunt Phyllis chided gently, much to Charlotte’s relief, “this is no place for a gentleman.”
“Indeed, Mama. I shall make myself scarce. I have business that must be attended to anyway. Now, if you will excuse me, ladies.”
Reginald took his leave with a final glance at Victoria. She had begun taking fresh measurements from Charlotte while Mrs. McCrae and Aunt Phyllis helped themselves to chocolates.
“He cares for you greatly,” Charlotte whispered to Victoria.
Perhaps if I help Reginald with this matter, he will forget his suspicions about me.
“Whatever do you mean, my lady?” Victoria said, even as her blush gave the lie of her words.
“It is plain to see. He is fond of you and you of him,” Charlotte shrugged. “There is no shame in that.”
“He is a Lord, and I an apprentice milliner,” Victoria chuckled awkwardly.
“That ought not mean a thing,” she said wisely. “The Regent’s mistress is a commoner or at least was at birth,” she added, passing on a piece of courtly gossip she had picked up from her little time at Hampton Court.
“Perhaps, but he is the Regent...”
“If you care for him, then that is all that matters. Reginald will surely not let his rank come between the pair of you.”
The young girl gaped. “Oh, no, it is not an issue at all for me!”
“Then I see no reason why he cannot court you,” Charlotte finished with a knowing smile.
Victoria looked around and leaned closer to Charlotte, seeing her employer deep in conversation.
“The truth is… that I fear he holds back. I think he wishes to purchase an establishment of my own for me. To help set me right and provide me with independence. He keeps talking about showing me the depth of his affection. But I do not need such extravagance. I am content with my lot in life. A husband suchas he would be a dream come true. Even if he came without a shilling to his name.”
Charlotte thought back to Reginald’s request for funds. So, it was not gambling debts as she had originally supposed, but to purchase a shop for Victoria in order to win her over. And here she was, already won over.
“But that will not happen regardless. There is another of his station in life, and she has the advantage over me, I fear,” Victoria finished with a downcast expression in her eyes.
Charlotte remembered Reginald’s words, how he did not want Victoria to believe he was interested in that other woman, whoever she was.
