“You are petite, therefore you want to be élégant, not covered with the bows and the flounce.”
Madame clapped her hands sharply, and a young woman appeared, clothed only in a dressing gown. Speaking to her rapidly, Madame clapped her hands again. Then she asked Sophie and Fanny to be seated, placed a dish of petit fours at their side, and told them to enjoy themselves.
For the next hour, Sophie was entranced as walking dresses, day dresses, and evening gowns were modeled before her. Fanny told her what she would need, shaking her head when Sophie demurred over the number. At length, Sophie chose the styles she could see would flatter her most, was guided by Madame in the matter of color and fabric, and finally consented to go in the back of the store to be measured.
They arranged to take one of the modeled gowns that fit Sophie perfectly. It was an apricot muslin with a tiny ivory stripe, piped in gold and ivory. The bodice was ruffled in tiny Van Dyke pleats that rose up and were anchored into a collar by a strip of ivory lace, fluting the pleats about her face. It was a day gown, but by wearing it with its gold buttoned ivory spencer, it became a walking dress.
“My dear, you look a perfect angel,” Fanny said.
Sophie smiled to herself, wondering if Gorgeous Frank would think so.
“The other things, we will sew as fast as possible. You shall have the first in two days.”
Fanny agreed that she should wear her new dress and spencer home. She was very glad she did, for when they arrived there, it was to hear that Gorgeous Frank was visiting with Buck in his library. Perkins told Sophie and Fanny they were expected there upon their arrival home.
Both men stood upon their entrance, and after kissing his wife, Buck said, “Sophie, my dear! Your friend has something to show you. And I must say that is a splendid new gown.”
Trowbridge bowed over Sophie’s hand, his deep blue eyes alight. “We have been waiting this age. You must have ordered enough gowns for several seasons.”
“It was the greatest fun,” Sophie said. “I have never done anything like that before. However, I must say that I don’t believe Madame Colbert was any more French than I am. I heard her speaking Cockney to herself!”
“You are correct, my dear,” Fanny said. “I think I could have acted her role a sight better than she did. But she is reputedly a whiz with her designs. She dresses the most beautiful women in London.”
The company sat down. Fanny seated herself on the arm of Buck’s desk chair. Trowbridge and Sophie sat together on an upholstered bench. He said in a low voice, “I only hope the beauty of your gowns will not detract from the beauty of your face, Angel.”
“Extravagant as ever, my lord,” she whispered. “You will turn my head.”
“I have brought you your archery set.”
She was losing her presence of mind with Frank so near. Her skin was all prickles of heat. “You are very resourceful. Thank you.”
Buck interrupted them. “So, when are you going to give it a go, Sophie? I think it is a splendid idea. There is room for us to set it up in the back garden.”
Her sister was looking at her with a broad smile on her face.”Archery lessons, hmm,” Fanny said.
“I was thinking of tomorrow afternoon,” Frank said. He looked directly into her eyes. “But we must protect your brilliant hands. Have you leather gloves?”
“Gloves, yes. Gauntlets, no.”
“I should have thought. I will pick some up in the morning.”
He was wearing his public personality, and it was making her uncomfortable. She sought to puncture it.”Your orchid was beautiful, Frank. I have never seen one before. Thank you.”
In a low voice, he said, “I got it from Dr. Mowbray’s hot house. He said it was exceedingly rare. No other flower would do for you.”
“And the Byron was exquisite,” she whispered. “But not more so than your own words.”
He did not reply, and there was a nervous tic at his temple.
She saw Fanny watching them with a smile. Tea arrived.
“Are you quite certain that I will be able to become a decent archer? I am not convinced,” Sophie said in a normal voice.
“Believe me, Angel, I am the consummate instructor. You will do splendidly. Just give it a try.”
Her sister and Buck urged her on.
“All right. I will make you regret your boast if you are wrong,” Sophie said. “And if I become an archer, does that mean you will take lessons from me on the violin?”
“Certainly not. Archery is a simple matter. It would be almost blasphemy for me to pick up the violin. But I will happily learn to play the tambourine. I think percussion is my métier. I have always loved to pound things and make noise.”
Sophie laughed.
“There is something that you can do to repay me for the archery lessons, however.”
“Yes?” she asked with some trepidation.