Oddly enough, the notion that she was clearly disrupting his life wasn’t nearly as bothersome as he once might have imagined it would be.
Nineteen
“It’s amazing how many salesgirls have been sent to assist us,” Luella whispered as Camilla browsed through a rack that held ready-made afternoon gowns. “Do you always receive such stellar service?”
After eyeing an attractive ivory gown with traces of lavender embroidered around a square neckline, Camilla pulled it off the rack, handed it to a salesgirl who’d said her name was Dorothy, then returned her attention to Luella.
“I imagine, after I told the manager of ladies’ furnishings what I hoped to accomplish today, he sent out an ‘all hands on deck’ call, hence the reason we now appear to have half the employees in the store at our disposal.”
“It also didn’t hurt that the manager had already been told you, an esteemed member of the Four Hundred, were in town,” Lottie said, moving up to join them before she held up a riding habit of emerald green. “I thought this would go well with Luella’s hair.”
Camilla glanced at Luella, whose hair was drawn up on top of her head, Bernadette having teased little curls out of the upsweep. “Green is certainly a complementary color for her, and I’m alsothinking we should find something in blue to bring out the color of her eyes.”
“I’ll see what I can find,” Lottie said before she moved across the room and began browsing through another rack of clothing, just as the manager of the ladies’ furnishings department, Mr. Kline, hurried up to Camilla, an older woman by his side.
“Miss Pierpont,” Mr. Kline began, “allow me to introduce Mrs. Magruder to you. She’s our lead associate in our intimate apparel department and will be ascertaining whether Miss Chesterfield has all the proper, ah, unmentionables needed to truly accentuate the many lovely gowns we hope she chooses today.” Sending Camilla an inclination of his head, Mr. Kline turned and hurried across the room, stopping to whisper what were probably additional instructions to the salesgirls who were sorting through a rack of garments someone had fetched from a back storeroom.
“I’ve been informed, Miss Chesterfield, that you’re here to add some essential pieces to your wardrobe,” Mrs. Magruder said, moving close to Luella and settling a lovely smile on her. “I have missed your mother over the past few years because she was always such a valued customer, spending hours perusing the latest fashions and always returning home with numerous acquisitions for you.” Mrs. Magruder’s smile dimmed as she gave Luella a once-over. “You don’t seem to have any lace or bows on your outfit today, although I distinctly remember that the gown you’re wearing, one your mother purchased here before she left on her adventure to France, was originally emblazoned with charming bows and an abundance of lace attached to the bodice.”
Luella immediately shot Camilla a look that clearly suggested she had no idea how to respond since Mrs. Magruder was evidently a fan of bows and lace.
“I fear I’m to blame for the lack of Luella’s frills,” Camilla said, drawing Mrs. Magruder’s attention. “Luella, at least in my humble opinion, shows to advantage in more tailored, less embellished ensembles, which is why I had my lady’s maid remove thebows and lace on the gown Luella’s currently wearing, as well as alter the back so that she has no need of a bustle.”
Mrs. Magruder blinked. “Why would you encourage Miss Luella to abstain from bustles when those are imperative in accentuating a woman’s figure?”
“Because silhouettes have been changing in New York of late, undoubtedly because we ladies were beginning to grow weary of all the perching we were forced to do, given the large bustles that once-fashionable silhouettes demanded.”
“Once-fashionable?” Mrs. Magruder asked rather weakly.
Camilla refused a sigh. “Forgive me, Mrs. Magruder, as I truly don’t want to upset you, but I’m afraid bustles are no longer quite as in vogue in New York City.” She presented Mrs. Magruder with her back. “If you’ll notice, I’m not wearing a bustle, merely horsehair padding, which still allows a lovely silhouette but also allows me to sit with ease.”
“I believe I need to have a word with our buyers,” Mrs. Magruder mumbled before she dipped into a curtsy, then barreled across the store, stopping to whisper something to Mr. Kline, who shot a glance at Camilla before he strode through the department, Mrs. Magruder dogging his heels as they disappeared through an archway.
“I have a feeling Stone and Thomas might soon be displaying gowns cut in quite different silhouettes,” Luella said, folding an afternoon gown of lavender over her arm. “It’s too bad they didn’t learn of New York’s abandonment of bustles earlier, though, because all the gowns I’ll be buying today require that ridiculous appendage. Poor Bernadette is going to have her hands full altering them.”
“She won’t be responsible for all the alterations,” Camilla returned, eyeing another gown on the rack, but discarding it because pink wasn’t a shade that would favor Luella’s coloring. “Your grandmother knew, since we’re on a time constraint, that it wouldn’t be advisable to expect the alterations department hereto handle it all, just as she realized Bernadette wouldn’t be able to finish everything needed in a timely fashion. That’s why she sent notes off to all the members of her sewing bee early this morning with the expectation those ladies will be more than happy to step in.”
“Bernadette’s going to be relieved to have that assistance.”
“I’m sure she will, although I have to admit I was unaware she possessed any real seamstress skills to begin with.”
“Bernadette told me, as she was ripping bows off the dress I’m currently wearing, that she was often called upon to fix costumes at the theater,” Luella said. “That’s where she also learned to arrange hair, because the hairdressers employed by the theater were always showing up late. According to Bernadette, she made a point to excel at alterations and dressing hair because she thought that would eventually lead to the manager of the theater company offering her a spot in one of his productions. From what I gathered, Bernadette longs to take to the stage.”
“She’s mentioned that to me as well, but since she’s found herself in my employ, I assume that offer from the theater manager never materialized. That was obviously a setback for Bernadette, but one that’s clearly worked out well for me.” Camilla shook her head. “I fear I must admit that my first impression of my lady’s maid was completely off the mark.”
“Because?”
“She didn’t appear to relish the role of lady’s maid and complained almost incessantly about how often she needed to assist me with the wardrobe changes that are expected of someone with my social calendar,” Camilla said. “Lately, though, she’s barely complained at all and certainly surprised me when she insisted on staying behind today to work on the gowns I felt were salvageable from your closet. I would’ve thought she’d want to come shopping with us.”
“Considering Meemaw’s sewing bee has probably already gathered back at the house, undoubtedly all aflutter to learn why theirhelp was needed, Bernadette is most assuredly finding herself in high demand, which I imagine has outweighed any regret she may have experienced over not accompanying us since she strikes me as a woman who enjoys being the center of attention.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask this, but why would she be in high demand?”
“She’s your lady’s maid. She knows things about you, and the ladies will want to ferret out that knowledge, especially information pertinent to when Bernadette thinks you’re planning on marrying my brother.”
“They’re in for a disappointment then, since Bernadette can’t disclose that information as there aren’t any real plans for Owen and me to marry.”
“That’s why you should prepare yourself for an interrogation from the ladies once we return to the country house.”
