Page 135

“Well, that’s all rather exciting isn’t it?”

“It is. How are the dressmakers?” Lady Winman asked, nodding to several women who were calmly making final tweaks and alterations while helping models into their dresses.

“They’re ready,” she said.

“Excellent. Oh, there’s one more thing,” said the countess with a wicked smile. “Don’t be surprised when you see the film cameras.”

“Film cameras!” Sylvia couldn’t keep the shock out of her voice.

“Yes. I didn’t want to raise our hopes too much because film people can be so finicky, but Alistair spoke to a fellow at the Ministry of Information who spoke to someone else, and the news of our little fashion show landed with the department that produces newsreels. There’s no guarantee that they’ll use it, but if they do…”

“Our fashion show could be in every cinema across the country,” she breathed.

Lady Winman’s eyes sparkled as she nodded.

“Right.” She cleared her throat. “I suppose we should start.”

Sylvia poked her head around the wide double doors of the Winman House ballroom. Lady Winman had instructed that chairs be set up in a semicircle, creating a stagelike area where the models would walk out, pause, and then retreat, showing off all angles of the creators’ craftsmanship. Now all of those seats were filled with people, some with notebooks out on their knees, all murmuring among themselves, the buzz of their voices filling the room.

Goodness, she wished Izzie could see this.

“Nervous?”

Sylvia pulled back to give Miss Reid a smile. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t eager to see things underway.”

Miss Reid placed a hand on her arm. “You’ve done a fine job. Mrs. Shelton would be proud.”

A lump rose in Sylvia’s throat. “I’m not certain about that.”

“She loved you,” said Miss Reid firmly. “She could be a hardheaded woman sometimes, but even she admitted that she could have been kinder to you after your father’s death.”

“She did?” she asked.

“From time to time when it was late at night and there were orders to fill, she would open up a little bit. She knew that she pushed you away. She said it had something to do with what happened to your father, but that never sat well with me. You were just a child.”

“Thank you, Miss Reid.” Sylvia gave a weak smile. “You know, for a long time I was convinced you disliked me.”

Miss Reid looked shocked. “Disliked you?”

“When I was a child.” And maybe as recently as that spring.

“I never—” Miss Reid stopped herself and swallowed. “I suppose I found it easier to speak to your sister because at least she could sew.”

“I can sew!” she began to protest until she caught Miss Reid’s skeptical look. “I can sew enough to mend things.”

“Yes, well. I don’t find small talk exactly easy,” said Miss Reid.

Sylvia pressed a hand to the other woman’s forearm. “I understand.”

“I know that you wouldn’t have chosen to return to the shop if you hadn’t needed to, but I’m glad you did.” Miss Reid nodded toward the models lining up in the corridor. “Look at what you’ve done.”

Sylvia cast an eye over all the models in their beautiful clothing. “Look at what we’ve done, Miss Reid.”

It was very slow, and at first Sylvia didn’t recognize it for what it was, but eventually a smile bloomed on Miss Reid’s face. “I wish Miss Shelton could be here to see it.”

“I was just thinking the same. Izzie would love this.”

“But perhaps Mr. Gray will be able to tell her all about it.”