“No one strikes a woman in my presence.”
“Just behind your back?”she asked drily.
He huffed.“I cannot prevent what vile men do to women, but I can certainly prevent it from happening in front of me.”
‘Twas rather noble, all things considered.In a low voice, she asked, “Where to next?”
She watched Albert scan their surroundings.“Turn right at the house with the chickens out front.”
Trusting the frog knew this village, Bella did as instructed, noting an interesting mix of homes interspersed with businesses.
A bit of nerves struck her in the aftermath of the altercation, causing her hands to shake.“Thank you, again, for defending me.”
“My pleasure, and I will do it again if needed.Never liked that man,” Albert said, wiping his mouth with his little hands.“Blech.Even his nose tastes terrible.Do people no longer bathe?”
She laughed but quickly sobered.“You have a horse graveyard.Your ostler is lazy.”
Albert paused for a moment.“Should I ever return to human form, I shall address this issue to the king and queen on your behalf.”
She nodded at his words.“All creatures deserve a proper farewell, especially those that served us faithfully in life.I could not stand the thought of Dignité being one more animal rotting in your pond.I did not technicallysavea life, but hopefully, I stopped additional waste coming into the water.”
“I appreciate that.More than you know.”
“I’m happy to help.”
Albert was silent for a moment.“He was a good horse.Great at fox hunting in his youth, which was many, many years ago.”Albert seemed remorseful, so Bella gave him another moment with his thoughts.“Where are we heading?”
He poked his head out and looked around.“Up there, on the left.As promised.Pick out whatever you’d like.”
Bella felt a moment of excitement as she approached the clothier’s shop.“Truly?”
“Spend no more than two shillings.”
She nodded, then tied the horse to the hitching post out front.She reached for the bucket to carry Albert inside, but he raised a foreleg to stop her.“Drop two of the coins in here so she will not be tempted to oversell you.”
“Oh.”This village must be more driven to part coins from their customers than her home was.“Is she likely to do that?”Bella did as bidden, watching the coins sink into the muck.
“I have heard she has been shunned, so business is likely slow for her.But please purchase whatever you’d like.As promised.”
Bella had never been one to part quickly with coin, but her dressdidstink something fierce, and itwasfrom carrying Albert’s wineskin, so she agreed, quietly deciding on something practical and hoping a mere two shillings would cover it.She delivered the barest of farewell nods so as not to attract attention, patted the horse on the neck, then headed inside.
The smell of starched fabrics, fresh dyes, and satchels to mask it all greeted her in the doorway.Beautiful dresses hung on racks and from shelves holding bolts of fabric.The shop was clean, tidy, well-lit...and devoid of any other customers.
“Hello.”The seamstress walked up with a smile, then stopped and wrinkled her nose.
Bella whipped out her palms.“I know.I have had the most unfortunate accident with the pond outside the castle.I am in dire need of a fresh frock.”
The woman nodded and leaned forward.“I am most happy to help.How much pin money do you have to spare?”
“Two shillings.”
“Two?My dear, that will buy you far more than a frock.I will show you what I have.”But then the woman’s happy demeanor faltered when she saw all the mud on Bella’s clothes.
Bella completely understood.“Have you a washbasin I may use to at least clean my hands?I would never forgive myself should I soil or stain your gorgeous dresses.”
The request had the seamstress smiling.“Of course.‘Tis in the backroom.Then, I think I can find the perfect trousseau for you.”
The seamstress, Henriette Leboux, insisted that Bella scrub herself from head to toe and stay in the changing chamber, where Henriette personally brought her armfuls of the most amazing items to try on, complete with the woman’s input on colors, styles, and fabrics.
