“I’ll think about who I could ask.” There was merit in the approach. Men could be like sheep in terms of which women they paid court to, just as women could be like sheep when it came to fashion. “I’d also like a few new dresses. Ones that will attract attention. Will you help me?”
Kate beamed, her entire being lighting up. “I would love to. I’ve actually been working on a rather elaborate design for myself.” She leaned close and murmured, “I plan to host a ball near the end of the season. I hope to time it so that people remember it when they leave town and will anticipate it next season.”
“I have no doubt you’ll get your wish.”
Kate had the makings of an excellent hostess. Their engagement ball had been tasteful and well attended, and she had no doubt that this one would be even better.
“I can design a gown for you for the occasion too. Perhapswe can celebrate your engagement by then. In the meantime, I’m happy to assist with your wardrobe for the upcoming balls.” She glanced at the clock. It was midafternoon. “Would you like to accompany me to Madam Baptiste’s? We can peruse the fabrics and see what’s available.”
“All right,” Sophie agreed. “That sounds nice.”
Anything that would get her out of the house was to be embraced. She’d hardly been able to stand sitting with her parents at breakfast. Every time she laid eyes on them, her insides had twisted with fresh betrayal.
She knew they weren’t trying to be cruel, but she didn’t feel like smoothing things over yet.
“I’ll fetch Betsy,” she added, rising from the chaise. “I’ll meet you in the foyer shortly.”
It was warm, so she didn’t bother to get a pelisse. It took Betsy only a few minutes to finish what she was doing and ready herself for their outing. The maid was smiling as they joined Kate and made their way out to the Blackwell carriage.
Betsy had confessed to Sophie previously that she enjoyed their outings to the modiste. Like Kate, she was enthusiastic about fashion, and while she couldn’t afford to purchase dresses from Madam Baptiste, she liked to look, and every now and then, Sophie would purchase a pretty ribbon for her as thanks for her companionship.
The streets were quiet as they drove through town, and it wasn’t long at all before the carriage pulled over outside the modiste’s shop. It was a stone building on a corner, displaying a brilliant array of fabrics and dresses in the windows.
They alighted from the carriage and entered the modiste’s. Inside, it was quiet and a bit hotter than was comfortable. The huge windows must be capturing the heat of the sun, which was still high in the sky.
As Sophie strolled along a row of fabrics, she ran her fingertips along them, noting which ones felt nice against her skin and which were scratchy or stiff. While Kate evaluated the appearance of fabrics, Sophie often cared more about how comfortable they were. She liked to wear colors that suited her, but she also wouldn’t sacrifice comfort for the sake of vanity.
“Ah, Lady Blackwell.” Madam Baptiste glided into the room noiselessly and curtsied, her dark eyes sparkling as they landed on Kate. The modiste had an angular face that was at odds with her curvaceous figure. “Are you just looking, or would you like to make an order or discuss design?”
Kate bobbed her head respectfully. “Lady Sophie is in need of several new dresses. I have not yet taken the time to consider what designs might be appropriate but wanted to seize the opportunity to see what you have in stock in case inspiration strikes.”
“I see.” Madam Baptiste surveyed Sophie from head to toe. “I think jewel tones would be best. Particularly blue and green because they would complement that fair complexion. Yellows and oranges would not suit, and pink would, I believe, clash terribly. Purple may also work, or red, if we can find the exact right shade to match her hair.”
Kate nodded. “I agree. Her mother is not enamored with the idea of a young lady wearing bright colors, but I think, with a bit of coaxing from us, she could be talked around.”
Madam Baptiste smiled. “I like a challenge. Did you have a particular style of dress in mind?”
Sophie just stood there, bemused. The two of them were speaking as if she did not exist.
“Perhaps something high-waisted and with a rounded neckline,” Kate said. “She has a blue dress like that, and it flatters her figure.”
“Hmm. She does have a tiny waist,” Madam Baptiste said. “But quite an impressive bosom, considering.”
Sophie’s cheeks heated, and she pressed her fingers to them. “Not that impressive.”
Madam Baptiste smirked. “If you say so. I have a beautiful green silk that you would look stunning in.” She turned and led Sophie and Kate around the end of the aisle of fabric and into the next one over. The roll of material she stopped in front of was rich and green with a subtle diamond pattern.
“Oh, that’s perfect,” Kate exclaimed, running her hand down it. “I have actually seen a design recently that I think would work well for this. It was a cap-sleeved dress with detailing on the back of the belt and layered skirts at a jaunty angle. There was a matching lace on the edge of the skirt layers. Do you have anything that would match?”
Madam Baptiste nodded immediately. “Wait just one moment.”
She disappeared into the back of the shop, and when she returned, she was holding ruffled green lace the exact same shade as the silk.
“Not too many ruffles,” Sophie insisted. “I refuse to look like an overly fussy flower.”
The modiste laughed. “You won’t, I promise.”
Kate took the lace from her. “This will work. Can you envision what I mean?”
