Boris raised an eyebrow.
‘I do!’ Mallory protested. ‘It’s just that this isn’t like navigating grumpy old ogres or managing angry vampires. It’snot locating an object or finding out a scrap of information. It’s somebody’slife– two lives, in fact. I want to get it right, Boris.’
A tiny insistent voice piped up in the back of her mind:You’re lying. You want Alexander MacTire for yourself.
‘Okay. I didn’t mean to suggest anything untoward. I know how seriously you take your contracts.’
‘I’ve thrown my heart and soul into this business,’ Mallory murmured, as much to herself as to Boris. ‘I won’t ever knowingly let a client down, blood contract or not.’
She had to do her best for Alexander MacTire; he wanted to find a woman to be his First Mate and she had to do everything in her power to achieve that – whether it made her heart ache or not. If she could find a damned bellarmine jug for Chester Longchamps, she could find the perfect partner for Alexander.
‘You’re right,’ she said finally, looking again at the five photos pinned on the wall. ‘Isadora Jones could be the one. I’ll do some more research into her.’
‘Great.’ Boris sounded enthusiastic. ‘By Sunday morning the Wolf Ball will be over and your role will be complete, regardless of the outcome.’
Mallory bit her lip. ‘Great,’ she said, echoing the spriggan. ‘Wonderful.’ She pasted on a bright smile. ‘Absolutely fabulous.’
Chapter
Nineteen
The last time Mallory had seen Gia Vanderlan, the fashion designer had been dressed in a bright-pink suit with cheeks to match; on this occasion her flush of excitement was the same but her clothes were lime green. You would certainly pick her out of a crowd.
Mallory hoped that the dress Gia had brought would be less showy. Alexander was due to pick her up for the Wolf Ball and there wouldn’t be time to find an alternative.
‘Thankfully Boris sent through your measurements.’ Gia bustled around Mallory’s small flat extracting various bits of kit. ‘But I would have preferred at least one fitting beforehand.’
‘I’ve been busy,’ Mallory said. ‘I meant to come by but…’ Her voice trailed off and she felt the heat rise in her cheeks.
‘She forgot that she had to wear a real dress,’ Boris interjected unhelpfully.
Gia gasped in horror. ‘But this is the Wolf Ball! It’s one of the most important events of the season, Mallory. The fact that you have an invitation – and with Alexander MacTire of all people?—’
‘It’s not a date,’ Mallory said briskly. ‘It’s business.’
Curiosity lit up Gia’s face. ‘He’s a client? What are you helping him with?’
She knew better than to ask that question and when it became clear that Mallory wasn’t going to answer, she smiled. ‘Well, whatever it is I know he’s lucky to have you. I still haven’t forgotten how you came through for me. I’ve worked really hard on this dress – it’s the least I can do, favour or no. You deserve the very best.’
Over the years Mallory had learned to accept compliments, but for some reason accepting this one was difficult and she had to quash the rising sense of imposter syndrome. If tonight went as planned then she deserved those kind words, she told herself. And itwouldgo as planned. Alexanderwouldfind success tonight. She couldn’t entertain any other outcome. She muttered her thanks and Gia beamed.
‘So,’ the flamboyant witch said, ‘although there wasn’t a lot of time, I wanted to be sure you had something spectacular to wear.’
Uh-oh. Mallory tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach.
‘It’s important that you feel sexy…’
Mallory gritted her teeth.
‘…but I also wanted to make sure you were comfortable.’
She felt a sudden spasm of hope.
Gia recognised what her expression meant. ‘Oh, Mallory! I saw enough of you last year to get a sense of your style. I’m good at what I do and I wouldn’t put you in something you didn’t like.’
‘I’m holding out for lime green,’ Boris said. ‘With plenty of cleavage.’ Both women frowned at him. ‘Actually,’ he added hastily, ‘I’m clocking off for the night.’ He bowed to Gia. ‘Lovely to see you again, Miss Vanderlan. Mallory, good luck tonight. I’m quite sure that Mr MacTire will walk away very satisfied with the outcome.’
Mallory swallowed as he waved and left. Gia had already turned away and was unzipping a garment bag. ‘Ta-da!’ She held up the dress in front of her.
