“When’s the last time you went to a party?” he’d coaxed. “I promise it will be like nothing you’ve ever seen before, all black tie and caviar.”
He was right about her nearly empty social calendar. When she was younger, she’d enjoyed a few parties and met a lot of people, but the war had changed her; she rarely went out for fun anymore.
“I have nothing suitable to wear,” she protested, but she was weakening and Ernie sensed it.
“I’m sure you do. Don’t worry, I’ll be with you the whole time. I’ll keep you safe.” His smile was warm. “I’ll send a car for you.”
“No, no. Just tell me the address, and I will drive myself,” she said, planning to have an escape car at hand if needed.
He wouldn’t hear of it. “The prize jewel of the party driving herself? No, no, the car will pick you up at seven o’clock precisely. I can hardly wait.”
In the end, she had gone out to buy a dress, justifying the use of her savings by reminding herself that she really wasn’t spending anything otherwise. When she told the saleslady where she was going, the woman’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She tugged Adele to the back of the store, where she draped her in all the latest fashions, from long Greek evening gowns made with layers of chiffon, to dresses with a defined, dropped waist over a fuller skirt.
“Is everything sleeveless?” Adele had asked, turning sideways in the mirror to inspect a beautiful pink number, the bust shiny with metal sequins. “The evening might be chilly.”
“Oh, yes. It’s all the rage. But we have shawls and stoles.”
“This neckline feels…” Adele frowned, trying to find the words. “A little heavy. Like it might slip too low, if that makes any sense.”
“Of course, dear. Let’s find a dress with fewer sequins. They’re metal, so naturally they’re heavy. It doesn’t matter, though. You don’t need too much sparkle with your beautiful complexion.” Her eyes lit up. “I have just the thing. And it’s blue. With your eyes, blue is definitely your colour.”
She brought out the gown, and Adele slipped it on, marvelling at how it clung to her figure as if it had been sewn especially for her. Thesmooth satin fell halfway down her calves, and at first glance she shied away, thinking it too brazen. Then the saleslady handed her an overdress as light as air, and its light blue, netted mesh layered loosely over top of the sheath, making both dresses dance as one. The lacy, dropped waist was delicately defined by an embroidered belt, its thread a deep sapphire blue, and the bottom of the skirt flared slightly, swinging as she turned.
“You look stunning,” the woman declared, hands clasped in front of her chest.
And she did. Adele turned full on to the mirror and stared, starting at the little white beaded shoes, moving up through the gown, and finishing with her long blond hair, which the saleslady had quickly pinned up in a style Adele hadn’t tried before. For a moment, she couldn’t speak, struck dumb by her reflection. The woman before her was soft and feminine, elegant in the best possible way. How long had it been since she’d seen herself not as a working nurse but as a woman? Had she ever really done that? And this, this was what Ernie would see, and knowing that made her glow even more.
Maman was speechless when she came out of her room the night of the party. “Ma belle petite fille,” she gushed. “How it sets off your eyes. Look here: Monsieur Willoughby has already sent over flowers.” She pointed to a bouquet of dark red roses. “It seems you have indeed charmed him.”
Guillaume was just walking in the house, and he stopped in his tracks. “Look at you. Most beautiful girl in the world, other than your maman.”
“She’s going to a big, big party tonight. At a rich man’s mansion. He’s a rumrunner, she says, but he is a gentleman. He is sending a car!C’est bien.”
“He sounds nice.” Guillaume reached for a newspaper and headed toward his favourite chair in the living room. “What is his name?”
Her mother picked up the card from the flowers and waved it in the air. “Ernie Willoughby,” she said. “Oh, I’m very excited for you,ma belle. So lucky!”
“Thank you, Maman!” She pulled her into a hug, looking over her shoulder at Guillaume. “What do you say?”
He hesitated. Was it her imagination, or did his smile look strained? “I’d say he’s the lucky one,ma petite. Be careful. A big party with rumrunners could mean trouble.”
“Or it could just be a lot of fun,” Maman said, then she’d hugged her again when the driver knocked on the door.
Now she was here, staring up at the mansion. She felt an urge to spring back home, high heels and all, but the chauffeur held out a hand, waiting.
Adele took a deep, reassuring breath. “I’ve gotten through German bombardments,” she reminded herself. “I can do this.”
She joined the queue and was relieved to see Ernie standing at the entrance, looking dapper in a pinstripe suit. His face broke into a wide, appreciative smile at the sight of her.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said. “Adele, darling, you are a vision. Blue is most definitely your colour.”
She felt the warmth of his lips as he kissed the back of her hand. “Thank you,” she said. “I’m glad you approve.”
“Truly. You’ve exceeded my wildest dreams tonight. Like Cinderella arriving at the ball.” He took her arm and led her to the side, out of the way. “Before we go in, I have something for you.”
“Oh?”
He circled behind her, and she felt his fingers on the back of her neck as he fastened a necklace in place. Dropping her chin, she stared in disbelief at the diamond and pearl pendant hanging just above her breasts.
