Page 56 of A Duchess to Unravel
“I take it, since you are asking us these questions, that you and Alistair are growing more intimate?” Amelia asked.
Before Theo could answer, the modiste came out from the back, announcing that she was ready for them. They turned their focus to the fitting, and just like old times, they “oohed” and “ahhed” over each other’s gowns as the final alterations were made.
“Can you believe that Everett is actually throwing a ball?” Amelia asked as Theo took her place on the modiste’s pedestal.
“He is growing up I believe,” Theo responded.
“It is about time,” Seraphina scoffed. “He spends far too much time drinking and playing the fool.”
“I do not believe he has a choice,” Amelia chimed in, “What with all the new responsibility he has on his shoulders, thanks to Alistair. All four of them are busier than ever.”
Theo felt a swell of guilt, knowing that it was her husband’s doing that was keeping her friends’ husbands away from them for much of the day.
“Oh, do not look so distraught,” Seraphina said, catching Theo’s expression. “It is not your fault! And trust, they are happy to be this busy. Not to mention, Everett needed a reason get away from the bottle.”
At the mention of such, Theo was reminded of Rose’s mother, and the last time she saw her. She missed her friend and had not seen or heard much from her since the wedding.
“I know Ophelia will be joining us later, but I thought Rose was to have her fitting with us today?” she asked.
Theo caught another shared glance between Amelia and Seraphina, and her curiosity grew.
“Rose has been a little preoccupied,” Amelia said carefully, her eyes darting to the modiste.
“Her mother has been … unwell,” Seraphina added. “Rest assured we will see her at Everett’s ball, though. Rose is never allowed to miss a social function.”
Theo nodded, hoping that Rose was no longer agitated at her decision to marry Alistair. The three of them chatted about accessories for their gowns as the modiste finished her work, and once changed back into her gown, Theo’s mind wandered back to the original topic: her husband.
As they waited for the modiste to come back out and ring them up, Theo ran her hands over the bolts of fine silks and linens in varying shades of pastels and whites.
“I am getting this one,” Amelia told her, holding up a bolt of fine white lace. “Made into that nightgown over there.”
Theo followed Amelia’s pointed finger to a bust dressed in a white linen nightgown, and her eyes widened.
“But it will be transparent!” She gasped. “You will be able to see right through it!”
Amelia gave her a knowing smile and nodded her head, a twinkle in her eyes.
“That is the point,” she whispered. “I find it quite exhilarating when I render Dominic speechless.”
Theo’s mind raced at the idea of being able to render her own husband as such, and she smiled giddily as she bumped her shoulder against Amelia’s.
“Pardon, Mrs. Tate,” Theo said to the modiste as she and Amelia approached the counter. “I should like a nightgown made in this material as well.
“Of course, Your Grace,” Mrs. Tate replied politely, taking the lace from Amelia. “Just one?”
Theo glanced back at the fabrics she’d been perusing, then quickly went back to fetch the bolt of mint green silk and the sheer, white linen.
“One in each of these as well, please,” she instructed. “All with the same design.”
The modiste smiled knowingly as she took the fabrics and nodded.
“Yes, Your Grace. I shall have them ready for you at the end of the week.”
“How in the world did you convince her to wear something other than green?”
Alistair’s deep concentration broke as he heard Dominic’s question, and with effort, he pulled his gaze away from his wife. He hadn’t been able to stop looking at her since she’d come down the stairs of the London home wearing the cobalt blue gown. The deep blue silk that matched her eyes was vivid and moved like water around Theo’s body, mesmerizing him into a yearning silence.
“It is a mystery,” he said with a smirk, and together the two men drew their eyes back to their wives. Theo, Amelia, Seraphina, Rose, and Ophelia were clustered tightly together away from the dance floor, laughing and chatting intimately as the party moved around them.
