No way.
The second dress wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great, either. A one-shouldered gown with a wrap-around shrug that reminded Theodosia of something a Sicilian widow might wear.
Two strikes against me so far.
The third dress didn’t look like much on the hanger, but when Theodosia put it on, the black silk slithered over her beautifully. It flattered her midsection and hips, while the modified sweetheart neckline made her neck and shoulders look positively swanlike.
Okaaay. This is more like it.
Theodosia slipped into a pair of strappy black high heels that Janine had put in the fitting room and walked out into the shop. She knew the real proving ground would be the three-way mirror.
“Oh, Theodosia,” Janine exclaimed when she saw her. “That dress fits you perfectly.”
Theodosia tiptoed up to the three-way mirror and peered into it. And smiled at her reflection. The sheath dress did look pretty good on her. Very sophisticated.
“You look like you should be posing in front of a stone fireplace in some ginormous mansion, getting your picture taken for the society section of Charleston Trends magazine,” Janine said.
“Oh no,” Theodosia murmured.
“Oh yes.” Janine crept forward and adjusted the neckline slightly. “If this dress is your first choice, and I’m hoping it is, I bet Delaine is going to be jealous of how great you look.”
“Delaine? Jealous?” Theodosia said. Hah!
But Janine was dead serious. “You have no idea how head-over-heels crazy in love Delaine is with that new boyfriend of hers,” she said, whispering, as if the walls had ears. “Every day Delaine practically drives herself crazy trying to look and dress her best. She’s been spending a fortune on facials and manicures. I think she’s so paranoid about looking young and cute that she’s even had Botox.”
“She doesn’t need that stuff. Delaine always looks great.”
“No, this is different,” Janine said. “Delaine is constantly pushing herself to up her game. She claims that’s what you have to do when you’re madly in love. To, you know, keep the attraction going.”
“Maybe she really is madly in love, then,” Theodosia said. She’d figured this guy was just another guy in a long string of guys. So maybe I should take a little time to get to know her boyfriend? That is, if he really is her one true love.
“Have you met him?” Janine asked.
“Just briefly. For all of about two seconds.”
“I’ve met Mr. Gilles,” Janine said, “and I’d have to say he’s very handsome.” She gave an appreciative shiver. “Mysterious, too.”
Theodosia turned toward her. “Mysterious? In what way?”
“I suppose because he’s European, with such a lovely accent and fine manners.”
“But he’s leaving to go back home in a week or so,” Theodosia said. “He’s going back to France.”
Janine nodded sadly. “I know, but Delaine is hoping and praying she can convince him to stay here forever.”
“You mean she wants to marry him?”
“I think she does, yes.”
“For her sake then, I hope he stays.”
Janine nodded briskly and said, “So . . . shall I wrap your dress or do you want to wear it out? Or is there something else you want to try on?”
Theodosia twirled back to face her image in the mirror. “I guess I have to make a decision, don’t I? Well, I love this sleek look . . . and I’ve got some black heels that should go perfectly.” She touched a hand to the neckline. “But is it just the teensiest bit plain on top?”
“Maybe it could use a necklace or a colorful pin?” Janine said.
“You think?”
“A pin would definitely glam it up,” Janine said. “Especially if you have one with tons of sparkle.”
Theodosia eyed her reflection in the mirror again. As far as finding a stunning piece of jewelry went, she was pretty sure she knew who to ask.
? ? ?
When Theodosia rushed into Heart’s Desire, Brooke was standing in the middle of the shop directing a bevy of carpenters and rug guys. A ladder was set up at one end of the shop and, way at the tippy-top of it, a man was installing a row of pinpoint spotlights.
“Theodosia,” Brooke said when she spotted her. “Tell me some good news.”
“Professor Shepley is out of the running,” Theodosia said. “I spoke with the FBI guys last night and they claim they’ve cleared him completely.”
Brooke cocked her head to one side, considering this. “I guess I never believed the professor was any kind of criminal mastermind. From what you told me, he was an odd duck, yes, but probably not a jewel thief.” She sighed. “So it’s back to square one?”
“No, we left square one days ago. Now we’re playing an advanced game of cat and mouse.”
That brought a faint smile to Brooke’s face. “You being the cat?”