Page 58 of The Marriage Debt
It did not occur to her to wonder exactly how her husband had acquired such a knowledge of Newcastlemodistesuntil the three of them were standing outside Madame LeBlanc’s chic establishment.
‘Very smart,’ Jenny approved, eying the green paint picked out in gold and the tasteful window display.
The lady herself swept forward to greet the new arrivals, a smile on her lips. ‘Good day, Madame, Sir. How may I be of assistance?’ Then the smile changed to one of warm recognition and she cried, ‘Lord Seaton! Why, it must be five years at least since you have visited us.’
‘More like seven. Your memory is excellent, Madame. This lady is Miss Cunningham who is a guest at Seaton Mandeville. Unexpectedly, the duke has decided to throw a ball and Miss Cunningham has no suitable wardrobe for such an occasion.’
‘But of course, I perceive this is a matter of the utmost urgency. When is the ball?’
‘In nine days’ time. Are we setting you an impossible task?’
‘For you, my lord,’ she cast him a look which could only be described as coquettish, ‘For you, we will contrive. Please, be seated while I fetch some pattern books and samples.’
‘Theo,’ Katherine said with a sweet smile. ‘How, exactly, does Madame know you so well?’
‘Not because we have had a liaison, which is what I suspect you are most improperly assuming. In my younger, wilder, days I paid for one or two charming barques of frailty to be dressed by Madame.’
‘Really, Theo, I wonder that you tell me such a shocking thing.’ Katherine tried to sound outraged and failed.
‘I did tell you I had been a rake, Kat. But of course, that is now all behind me as I am a sober married man.’
Jenny who had been correctly sitting to one side appearing not to listen, let a giggle escape her. Katherine gave both her companions a severe stare.
Madame returned with a veritable train of attendants bearing fashion plates, pattern books and swatches of fabrics which made Katherine’s mouth water just to look at.
After almost an hour of flicking, pondering and discussion Katherine said, ‘This one.’ It was a charming gown, very simple,but given distinction by elegant bell sleeves and a graceful neckline. It also had the advantage of appearing relatively cheap compared to some more ornate offerings, and simple enough to be made in a rush.
‘But yes, you have excellent taste, Miss Cunningham.’
‘No.’ Theo tossed a fashion plate onto the table. ‘This one.’
‘But, Th…Lord Seaton, surely this could not be produced in time.’ It was breath-taking, a slender column of a gown with a scooped and twisted neckline, given a touch of drama by the way the skirt was draped at the back. The hemline was heavily beaded, as was the bodice, and Katherine could almost feel how this would make the gown hang and move.
‘It is not suitable for an unmarried lady,’ she said regretfully, letting her finger trail down the line of the drawing.
‘Not in that strong colour with the jet beads, no.’ Madame flipped back a pile of silks and produced one with a flourish. ‘But in this and with crystal beading, what could be more refined and suitable?’
Thiswas a silk of the softest primrose yellow. Madame urged Katherine to stand in front of the mirror while she draped a length of it over her shoulder. ‘You see? Over a white satin underskirt and with slippers and gloves of kid a few shades darker – enchanting.’
Katherine turned from the glass with a pang. ‘That fabric, that colour, but in the style I picked out first if you please. The other is lovely, but I can tell it will cost considerably more and I had not budgeted for this expenditure,’ she said firmly.
‘There is no time to lose,’ Madame announced, scribbling in a notebook. ‘If Miss Cunningham and her attendant would be so good as to accompany Hortense to the fitting rooms, measurements will be made.’
Theo stood up. ‘Madame, will you be so good as to give MissCunningham directions to suitable shops for her slippers, gloves and so forth? Miss Cunningham, I will meet you back at the King’s Arms at three o’clock, if that will be enough time? And I will order a late luncheon.’
He smiled inwardly. Kat already had that focused look which, in his experience, women always acquired on a serious shopping expedition. She might be acting most sensibly about her choice of gown, but he did not delude himself that by the time she and Jenny arrived back at the inn they would have subjected Newcastle’s most eligible emporia to a thorough pillaging.
‘Yes, thank you, Lord Seaton, that will be delightful,’ she said over her shoulder, already halfway through the door. Then suddenly the focused look vanished and she smiled at him, excited and enchanting, and his heart contracted painfully, startling him. It seemed this business of being in love took some getting used to.
‘Madame.’ He pulled himself together and lifted the second design, the one he had chosen. ‘This gown, if you please. There is no need to say anything to Miss Cunningham until the first fitting. And, Madame, send the account to me.’
The knowing black eyes narrowed and he smiled at her. ‘No, Madame, this is absolutely not what you suspect.’ As he opened the door onto the street he added, ‘Quite the opposite in fact.’
Theo was not surprised to find himself still alone at the King’s Arms at half past three and congratulated himself on his foresight in ordering a cold meal. When the door finally did open to admit two flushed and chattering young women he rose to his feet, nobly not giving the clock a pointed look.
‘Have you had a successful expedition?’ he asked, pulling out chairs.
‘Just look.’ Kat gestured at the pile of bandboxes and parcels which a sweating inn servant had deposited on the settle. ‘And I congratulate myself on exercising the utmost economy. Wefound the equivalent of the Soho Bazaar and made some fine bargains, I can tell you.’ She attacked the cold meats with admirable appetite.
