She did not care about eyebrows, but she did care about being seen as not respecting her father. On impulse she stood and opened the door.
Stratton had made himself comfortable in the reception salon. Legs extended, boots and arms crossed, his lowered lids shielded his eyes from the feminine frippery that surrounded him. Clara could not tell if he napped or not until she saw the smallest gleams beneath those lids.
He straightened and stood. “You are finished?”
“Hardly. You really should go about your day. This could take some time still.”
“I do not mind. Furthermore, as afternoon passes into evening, you should not be crossing town alone even in a hackney.”
If this man knew how often she did things alone in town at all hours he would probably become more of a nuisance. “If you are going to be here, you may as well help. Both Emilia and I could use a gentleman’s opinion about a few things.” She held the door wide.
He followed her back into the chamber. He took it all in with one of his sweeping gazes before giving her a quizzical look.
“This is the dress that Emilia wants,” Clara said, pushing the plate toward him on the table surface. “If it is in cream muslin and she wears a fichu, do you think it would be objectionable? It has been over six months, so—”
“There will be no gloss or shine to the fabric, and no more embellishment than perhaps this raised embroidery here. You can see it is most discreet,” Emilia rushed to say.
“I cannot imagine anyone would object. You are a young innocent. I was surprised to see you in black when Langford and I called. White seems more appropriate to me.”
Emilia’s face lit. “Oh, I am so glad you think so.” She jumped up and went looking for Madame Tissot, so as to be measured.
He turned his attention on Clara. “Are you also allowed to step out of black now?”
“Perhaps a bit. My grandmother wants us to only consider deep purple or grays. I was thinking, however, that this color might do just as well.” She tapped the hydrangea. “Although I suppose it has some rose in it, and that would never do.”
“I do not see rose. I see a bluish purple.”
“I do too. And it will not be this deep a hue, but paler.”
He took the plate. “Is this the dress?”
“Goodness no. That is far too—”Fun, she almost said.Fashionable. “This one here is the style.”
He gave a little shrug. “I prefer the other, but I understand the problem. This should be attractive on you too. Where will you wear it?”
“Emilia and I are going to accept a few invitations to quiet, small gatherings. Garden parties and such. Perhaps a dinner party given by family friends. She is missing what should have been her first Season and feels it sharply now that she is in town and all her friends are telling her about the balls.”
“So you will be her chaperone.”
“I suppose so, if we can escape my grandmother’s company.”
“Who will be your chaperone in turn?”
She laughed. “I am too old for a chaperone. Perhaps you forget how ancient I am.”
His gaze raked her from head to hip. “I would like to see you in something besides black, I know that much.”
I don’t wear black now when I am at home and not planning to go out. Call on me on such a day and—She caught the thought up short, astonished with herself for even contemplating such a thing. “Perhaps we will both attend one of those quiet events and you will.”
“I will have to make sure that we do.”
One of Madame Tissot’s seamstresses entered then and invited Clara to follow her so she too could be measured. As she left, she looked back and saw Stratton reaching down and flipping through the fashion plates.
* * *
Before finishing with the dressmaker, Clara ordered several other dresses on impulse. Her conversation with Stratton reminded her that she would have opportunities to use a larger wardrobe in the weeks ahead. None of the women who would visit her house for meetings aboutParnassuswould be shocked if she added some color. Althea had been urging her to do so for weeks now.
She also promised to pay Madame Tissot a premium fee if the entire order was given priority in the queue. Madame proved more than happy to arrange that for a mere extra 30 percent. The seamstresses would be put to work immediately, and two of the dresses should be ready within the week.
