“Yet unrealistic with these accusations now hurled upon me.I know not how to combat them, for I know not who started the gossip.”
“Would that their hair would turn green and their eyes fall out of their heads for their lies!”Bella said, making Henriette nod.
“That would certainly let me know the guilty party.”
“I am sorry you must deal with this.It must be insufferable.”
“It is.But enough about me.I wish to know more about you.For instance, are you the type to hold out for love?”Henrietta asked, clearly curious.
Bella blew out her cheeks.“I fear no man will seemebeyond this visage.”She drew a circle to encompass her face.“I am resigned that I shall never meet my match.”
“Well, that is tragic indeed.There is an enchantress nearby who might offer you a wish,” Henriette teased in a singsong voice, making Bella laugh.
They got back to the task at hand.It must have taken two full hours, and Bella was positive she had tried on every single dress in the shop before making her final selections.When she was done, Henriette added three undergarments, stockings, and a fresh corset, then wrapped everything in brown paper tied with string.Bella spun in her new clothes, enjoying the soft feel of the rich fabric against her skin.
“Do not leave without your change, Bella.”She tinkled the coins in her hand.
Bella shook her head and smiled.“You have earned every bit of that with your extraordinary help and insight.I thank you, my friend.”She pressed the coins onto the counter and pushed them back.
Henriette blinked at the offering.“Truly?”
Perhaps the money was a greater boon than Bella knew, but Albert said two shillings, and two shillings it was.“My pleasure.”
“And mine.I hope to see you before you head out of town, but if not, safe travels.”
“May we meet again.”Bella said, then impulsively leaned forward and wrapped her new friend in a tight hug, which was warmly returned.She then ducked out before the burn of tears struck.
She hated goodbyes.
Albert poked his head out of the safety of his new bucket.“You...look...amazing.”
Bella stared at him, wondering how many ladies of high standing he had said those exact words to.“Thank you.”
“Truly.What magic happened inside that store?”
In light of Henriette’s accusations against her, Bella scolded, “There was nothing more magical than enjoyable conversation with a very talented woman.”She yanked hard on the leather ties that bound her new garments to the saddle.“Why did you choose this clothier for me?”
Wum.Wum.
Bella huffed at his deliberate silence.Was he afraid of discovery?A glance showed no one walked this street.“Did you know she has been unfairly charged with witchcraft?She has discovered a way through a happy accident to make her colors stay fast, and her competition resents her for it.”
“I did not, though I had heard she had been shunned.I just wanted a place with less people likely to look into a bucket on a saddle.”
Bella held Albert’s eyes, wondering if he truly was the wayward prince, but his bulging orbs did not blink.
“Let us get you back to your pond.”
