"That shape is flattering," he commented, as the modiste and Marie adjusted the fit. "But be sure she has room to breathe, madame. I do not wish to have her laced too tight."
Once again, Alethea could sense a protectiveness in his tone. It was the same one she had heard when he had requested the other customers to be escorted out for her to have privacy.
"But of course, Your Grace," the madame laughed, "Comfort is key." She nodded to Marie, who knelt behind Alethea, tucking and pinning at the small of her back.
"Your Grace, if I may loosen your stays a touch," Marie said, noticing how stiffly Alethea was standing.
"Oh, right, yes," Alethea agreed. She reached behind to untie her stays slightly and ease the snugness a bit. The muslin slipped down her shoulders a little as she moved, it exposed the upper expanse of her back. Alethea immediately glanced to the mirror, where she could see how Oliver's eyes strayed to her back.
A lump formed on her throat, and she hastily covered her back. She had not meant for him to see. It was something that she hid from everyone. Three lines of scars across her back, healed but running along her shoulder blades.
When she looked at Oliver again, he seemed a bit ruffled. His hands had balled into fists, and he had a stoney expression on his face.
It was confirmation enough that he had indeed seen them. The ugly scars that she had tried so hard to hide. She looked at him expectantly, almost forgetting they had other company in the room. To her relief, he did not make a comment.
"Is all fine?" the madame noticed the change in Oliver's demeanor as well. "Do not worry, we shall not be too long now."
"I am fine, do need to rush because of me," Oliver said, schooling his face back into an expression of neutrality. "The fit looks good in the shoulders. Perhaps add a touch more room at the back for movement."
"Yes, Your Grace," the madame agreed, re-pinning a seam.
Alethea could sense the tightness in Oliver's tone. But before she had a chance to dwell on it more, Marie gently guided her back to the screen where she helped her out of the mock-up gown and back into her own dress.
"Now that the fittings are done," Alethea heard the madame said to the duke as she stepped out now, back in her original clothes. "Shall we finalize your order?"
"Yes, we will take the five gowns that we decided on." Oliver nodded. "On top of a premium paid to ensure that the delivery happens by tomorrow evening for the emerald gown."
"Tomorrow evening, Your Grace?" the madame looked up, "that might be a bit too expeditious."
"Call in all of your workers if you must," Oliver shrugged. "I am willing to pay the extra costs."
"Well, then," the madame pursed her lips, "We'll work through the night if we must. It will be delivered by tomorrow afternoon," she assures them.
Oliver nodded, satisfied. Alethea watched him as he arranged the payment details. Baffled was the word she would use to describe her reaction.
Granted, she had led a sheltered existence of most of her life. But she had never seen someone get something that they wanted with such ease. For Oliver to have his demands met like this, hemust have been willing to pay a hefty fee. She tried to peer over the bill but Oliver quickly snatched it out of sight.
"I expect the delivery to be on time," he said before nodding to Alethea towards the door.
"Of course, Your Grace," the madame rushed over to escort the both of them out of her establishment.
Alethea let herself be guided outside by Oliver, thankful to hold onto his arm for support for she found herself feeling more than a little light headed.
She did not speak again until they reached the carriage, taking the time to organize her scrambled thoughts. However, as soon as the carriage was in motion, Alethea exhaled loudly.
"That was… more extravagant than any shopping trip I've ever experienced," she said with a shaky laugh.
"You did well," Oliver smiled faintly. "Many would be overwhelmed, but you handled it with grace. As one would expect a duchess to."
"Oh, I was overwhelmed," she admitted in earnest, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "Five gowns. I suspect that will be enough to last me through the year."
"No,"Oliver corrected her quickly. "These are just for this season. We shall return again when the weather changes."
Alethea flushed at his comment, staring down at her hands.
"Does that make you unhappy?" he asked when she did not immediately have anything to say.
"No," she said quickly, folding her arms across her chest.
